Irish Presidential Election, 2011.

Thursday, October 27th.

 

Confirmed candidates (so far)

Michael D. Higgins // LABOUR PARTY // Former minister for Arts & Culture, and Human Rights campaigner

Gay Mitchell // FINE GAEL //

 

Likely candidates (they've met the criteria, but not sure if they're "confirmed" as of yet)

Mary Davis // INDEPENDANT // Disability Rights campaigner

Seán Gallagher // INDEPENDANT // Entrepreneur & Dragon's Den panelist

 

 

The David Norris Scandals

 

Background: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Norris_(politician)

 

David Norris is the man people want for president. Not because he's gay, but because he's independent, intelligent, kind, and extremely witty, and he'd do our country proud. He was performing excellently in all opinion polls. Earlier this summer, his campaign became controversial when an article from 2002 raised its ugly head again. The article was about social attitudes towards incest, age of consent, and paedophilia. The "journalist" was Helen Lucy Burke, a food critic (who everybody hates), who took Norris' views out of context (the context being Ancient Greece). Norris demanded that she released the recording of the interview so that people could see that he does not condone incest, statutory rape or paedophilia. But she "couldn't find them" (despite claiming that she had them and that they were "water damaged" a few days earlier). This did not affect Norris' ratings in the opinion polls. As more presidential candidates were being confirmed, the public grew more and more supportive of Norris because all of the other candidates were underwhelming. Last week, a letter which Norris wrote to an Israeli court asking for clemency towards his ex-partner Ezra Nawi ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezra_Nawi ), who was convicted of statutory rape involving a 15 year-old Palestinian boy, was leaked. The Irish media jumped at this and claimed that Norris was defending a "child rapist" and that he should resign immediately for this "disgusting behavior". Norris was on trial for writing a letter. What people didn't know, and what the media refused to report or acknowledge, was that Nawi is an Israeli activist for the Palestinian cause who is regularly harassed by the State (of Israel), and whose convictions have little or no bearing as the evidence used against him is mostly fabricated and the evidence which could prove him innocent is refused. Nawi has gained international support for his work. On August 2, Norris resigned from the presidential race stating that he made a mistake pleading for clemency but said that anybody would do the same for the person they love. But today, the day after he had resigned, the media are reporting the truth: that the sexual acts between Nawi and the Palestinian were judged "consensual" by the Israeli courts, and that many politicians (including Gay Mitchell - the Fine Gael candidate for presidency this year) regularly send clemency letters to foreign courts (some Fianna Fail politicians sent clemency letters for convicted child rapists. Their excuse? "That's what politicians do"). Gay Mitchell pleaded clemency for a double-murderer. Norris pleaded clemency for consensual sex. It's pretty clear that the public are saddened by this, and there is now a movement to go to the polls in October and add Norris' name to the ballot paper and ticking his box (=spoiling your vote). The other candidates simply aren't good enough and people here are outraged that they don't get to decide who is on the ballot paper. It's a broken system. TheJournal.ie ran a poll between the four candidates this morning and 55% said they'd vote "none of the above". That 55% used to be Norris'. 21% say Higgins. 5% say Mitchell, who is the ruling party's candidate. Awkward.

 

Very nice article about Norris on the Guardian website: http://gu.com/p/3xxbq

 

I was seriously planning on coming home from France to vote, but now I don't think I'll bother. Higgin's is very good, but I don't want him as president. Such a shame. :(

Edited August 3, 201114 yr by Cal

It's a shame he's had to drop out but he didn't really have much choice. :(

 

When do nominations close? Is it too late for him to change his mind? Although, if he did, no doubt his opponents will just make up some more stories.

I'm not sure on the exact date, but it's definitely late September or early October. Norris had planned on speaking to Galway County Council in September to try and secure their support [you need four councils at least]. People are asking him to reconsider, but I don't think he will. Dana Rosemary Scullion is now trying to take his place. :manson:

 

I'm really disappointed about it, tbh. The last two presidents that we've had have been excellent, and Norris would've continued that. Now we're probably going to be stuck with Mary Davis (ANOTHER Mary president!) or Higgins, who resembles a leprechaun all too well. :( The latter wouldn't be the end of the world, but it's certainly not what the people want.

 

The nomination system at the moment is:

 

You must:

• be a citizen of the state
• be over 35 years of age
• be nominated by:

-At least twenty serving members of the Oireachtas (parliament), or

-At least four county or city councils, or

-Him or herself (in the case of an incumbent or former president that has served one term).

 

It should be:

 

You must:

• be a citizen of the state
• be over 30 years of age
• be independent/non-party aligned*
• be nominated by:

- The Irish people (at least 40,000 signatures)

- Him or herself

 

*But you can't just leave a party to seek nomination as an independent. Seán Gallagher is doing this now and he left FF last year, although he denies having any ties with them whatsoever (wtf?). Perhaps there needs to be a five-year period whereby you have to be independent before you can be considered? Anything would be better than the current system, I think!

Edited August 3, 201114 yr by Cal

Dana would like to see Ireland step back several decades so I hope she's got no chance.

 

You seem to have been lucky with your last two presidents so it would be a shame to see that come to an end.

Dana would like to see Ireland step back several decades so I hope she's got no chance.

 

Dana, you mean, as in that crappy singer Dana...? FFS, you gotta be kidding me...... :lol: :lol:

What I think Ireland needs right now is someone truly progressive to get them through the very difficult times ahead... Someone who's not afraid to take on the EU, ECB and IMF and wont just "bend over" and take it.... Someone who will fight for the people of Ireland and not back down.... THAT is what I think Ireland needs, and I hope they get someone who has the guts to take on the international Banksters who want to take over Irish sovereignty....

Dana has been an MEP for Ireland though, so it's not that big a step for her. She seems to be picking up support from the more conservative commentors, so she might have a chance. Don't think she's announced that she's running though.

 

I wonder if I will be elligible to vote for this? Technically I'm an Irish citizen (I've got that passport), and given that the current president was born up north, it would be a shame not to.

Dana, you mean, as in that crappy singer Dana...? FFS, you gotta be kidding me...... :lol: :lol:

She's been in politics for years and has very right-wing policies on social issues, hence my comment above.

What I think Ireland needs right now is someone truly progressive to get them through the very difficult times ahead... Someone who's not afraid to take on the EU, ECB and IMF and wont just "bend over" and take it.... Someone who will fight for the people of Ireland and not back down.... THAT is what I think Ireland needs, and I hope they get someone who has the guts to take on the international Banksters who want to take over Irish sovereignty....

 

I think Norris would've been that kind of president. He isn't politically aligned so he'd say whatever needed to be said. It's kinda why I loved Mary Robinson. It's such a pity she didn't run for a second term. :(

 

I wonder if I will be elligible to vote for this? Technically I'm an Irish citizen (I've got that passport), and given that the current president was born up north, it would be a shame not to.

 

The situation in the North has always confused me. Entitlement to vote in this country is a bit odd:

 

Irish citizens: Local elections, European elections, Dáil elections, Presidential elections, Referendums

British citizens: Local, European and Dáil elections. NOT allowed to vote in Presidential elections or referendums (because they change the Constitution)

EU citizens: Local and European elections only

Non-Eu citizens: Local elections only

 

Just checked Wikipedia (!!!) and it says that Northern Irish citizens are entitled to the same Irish citizenship as those from the Republic itself. So I guess you can! :D

 

I think Norris would've been that kind of president. He isn't politically aligned so he'd say whatever needed to be said. It's kinda why I loved Mary Robinson. It's such a pity she didn't run for a second term. :(

The situation in the North has always confused me. Entitlement to vote in this country is a bit odd:

 

Irish citizens: Local elections, European elections, Dáil elections, Presidential elections, Referendums

British citizens: Local, European and Dáil elections. NOT allowed to vote in Presidential elections or referendums (because they change the Constitution)

EU citizens: Local and European elections only

Non-Eu citizens: Local elections only

 

Just checked Wikipedia (!!!) and it says that Northern Irish citizens are entitled to the same Irish citizenship as those from the Republic itself. So I guess you can! :D

Mary Robinson decided to use her popularity to gain a presence on the world stage. She can't really be blamed for that although it was a pity.

 

Irish citizens in the UK have more voting rights than other non-Britons so it's pretty much a reciprocal arrangement.

I just checked the entitlement for voting, it turns out I need to be registered with one of the 26 county offices to vote, so it looks like I won't be able to. Oh well, would've been nice.

Mary Robinson decided to use her popularity to gain a presence on the world stage. She can't really be blamed for that although it was a pity.

 

You're right. She went on to do better things, so I guess we can't blame her. She threw her weight around, which needed to be done. One of her best moves as President was to light a candle in the kitchen window of the Áras which could be seen by the public. It was a form of recognition of Irish emigrants. During uni, I live about a ten minute walk away from the Áras and there's still a candle lighting in the window. Small gesture, but with a very deep folkloric meaning.

 

I just checked the entitlement for voting, it turns out I need to be registered with one of the 26 county offices to vote, so it looks like I won't be able to. Oh well, would've been nice.

 

Hmm. I forgot that you can't vote unless you're actually IN the Republic. But I really don't think you're missing much. It wouldn't surprise me if the turnout rate will be at an all-time low or if the spoilt votes will hit record highs.

 

Okay I might sounds like a silly 14 year old with no brain for what I'm about to say, but ohwell!

 

I don't think we need a president - We should let Enda Kenny be the president... Don't raise his pay at all though, he has enough... And the money that the president gets every year? Use it to pay for the education ?

 

:)

It could work in theory, but not in practice, I don't think. Support for this idea would all depend on who the Prime Minister is. The President is there the represent Ireland and to safeguard the constitution. Merging the two posts would make it easier for the constitution to be altered. In recent times, the President has rejected Bills and referred them to the Supreme(?) Court to test their constitutionality. I'm no fan of the constitution (it's old and needs to be seriously updated), but I wouldn't trust Enda Kenny as far as I could throw him. :lol:

David Norris has re-entered the race and Martin McGuinness will be the Sinn Féin candidate.

I can't see either Norris or Martin McGuinness winning this in the end, although I must admit it would be funny to see if there would be a repeat of the Baron of Northshead debalce if he was elected.

 

The problem with David Norris, as far as I can see, is that is popularity only seems to come from people who cannot, or will not, vote for the Presidency. Unless he can reach out and speak to a largely conservative nation (which I honestly don't think will accept him), he doesn't stand a chance.

David Norris has re-entered the race and Martin McGuinness will be the Sinn Féin candidate.

 

If McGuinness is on the ballot paper and Norris isn't then I'm not coming back to Ireland. :P

 

 

I can't see either Norris or Martin McGuinness winning this in the end, although I must admit it would be funny to see if there would be a repeat of the Baron of Northshead debalce if he was elected.

 

The problem with David Norris, as far as I can see, is that is popularity only seems to come from people who cannot, or will not, vote for the Presidency. Unless he can reach out and speak to a largely conservative nation (which I honestly don't think will accept him), he doesn't stand a chance.

 

Norris has the students. But Fine Gael have effectively eliminated the student vote by holding the election on a Thursday. When they were in opposition they said this wasn't on. Same shit, different people! :( Norris has support from all corners as well, though. If you ask a person why they're voting for Norris they'll give you several good reasons . If you ask some of the anti-Norris groups they'll give you some excuse like "I'm not homophobic, but..." or "I don't think he's right for the job" and then they say they're going to vote for Mary Davis who hasn't done anything groundbreaking. My gran, who is as Catholic as they come, is a Norris supporter. So I think that shows that being "conservative" doesn't necessarily mean people won't vote for him. Ireland is going through a subtle, yet radical social change at the moment. The church is being rejected by the people and the government and society here is actually a lot more liberal than people think. Support for same-sex marriage is at 75%, with gay-adoption being in the high-60s. Attitudes to abortion are changing, too. Norris is still performing well in opinion polls, so he's still a threat to all other candidates.

 

If Norris doesn't get elected then at least he has exposed the system as a shambles. It needs to change immediately!

 

THIS GUY.... Should be the next Irish President..... :lol: :lol:

^ I think that's the general sentiment in this country at the moment. :lol:

 

Over the last couple of days, Norris and Dana have been trying to gain support from the Oireactas/Councils. Both failed to gain support from the former, but Dana got onto the ballot earlier today thanks to Offaly supporting her. D:

 

But in the last fifteen minutes, Norris won Dublin City and is now an official candidate. :D

^ I think that's the general sentiment in this country at the moment. :lol:

 

Over the last couple of days, Norris and Dana have been trying to gain support from the Oireactas/Councils. Both failed to gain support from the former, but Dana got onto the ballot earlier today thanks to Offaly supporting her. D:

 

But in the last fifteen minutes, Norris won Dublin City and is now an official candidate. :D

Thanks for that update. I had a quick look at the Irish Times front page this morning and saw that they were both struggling to get on the ballot paper. I suppose Dana's presence just shows you can get all kinds of everything in an Irish election.