I really find it hard to understand the group think that Michael D Higgins is “doing a great job” or the “best President ever”. For me his term in office has been defined by mediocrity with no single defining moment. Safe pair of hands is the kindest thing one could say. Contrast this with Robinson and Mc Aleese who defined the role in their own right, the position and status of mna na heireainn for Robinson and the peace process for Mc Aleese. The role of our President is limited but it is at least an exercise in debate and democracy to fill it. There is currently a cross party attempt to subvert both and rubberstamp 7 more years of safe mediocrity. I believe that all politicians have a responsibility to ensure any qualified citizen is allowed to contest this election. And I also believe that where there is only one candidate there should be an option on the ballot paper to RON (Reopen Nominations)
Yep
Squee didn’t have a peace process or was President during a huge cultural shift in Ireland. You have to judge his term in context and he was very vocal on a many number of topical issues. International and domestic. If anyone cared to listen
Which they don’t. Cause the job is to rubberstamp and be thoughtfully Irish for optics. Which he did.
People can still give it a go. Just need the support and if they really wanted it they just have to put in the work.
Ron
But if politicians follow party mandate of supporting Higgins them it’s very difficult for any non party candidate to get the nod to run. That is a democratic deficit in my opinion.
Internationally it’s a diplomatic role, and I rather Miggledee doing that than, say, as per the papers report… that Duffy fella.
But, that’s just me and my tuppence.
Ron
I would consider giving a vote to Joan Freeman were she to declare. Different strokes for different folks.
Sheik Yahbouti
Miggledy is the man. He pushed the very restrictive confines of the office as far as he could – and was reprimanded by Government on more than one occasion.
Ron
What were the occasions he did that?
Martin
Higgins wasn’t president during a huge cultural shift in Ireland?
Come on,
Marriage equality or repeal the 8th ref aren’t big cultural shifts? You’re kidding me.,
He had his opportunity but he played in safe, Robinson on the other hand wouldn’t have done this in a million years.
Yep
As President, he couldn’t make his opinion public about either referendum. However, from his work in the past it was clear which sides he supported.
Robinson wouldn’t have done what? Respected the appointment? I would disagree if that’s what you’re claiming.
SF are putting a candidate forward so an election will happen.
SOQ
I agree. I am sure Michael D is a very decent man but in comparison to his predecessor who used every excuse to get out and meet the people, he did not have the same impact.
I see Gavin Duffy is thinking of running. I don’t think this is a position for a business person at all as the skill set is very different. You would have to really like people and there is no profit margin to consider which has been his core focus.
I might get a slap for ageism here but I think that someone younger might be more suitable. Age slows us down and to do the job properly would require a lot of energy. It should most definitely not be a retirement jolly, which is what it was before the two Marys.
Topsy
Michael D has been a wonderful president and stellar representative of the people of Ireland at home and abroad.
Alan mc gee
a president that espouses equality, acceptance and vision but can’t publicly reconcile their own sexuality is a sham.
Obvious Shinner
AND don’t ever forget that photo of him ‘riding’ a skateboard.
OR his amazing ability to speak ‘as Gaeilge’ tthrough his nose at random moments.
I wish I could think of another example of his ample talent.
I’m too busy thinking that a younger person could do the ‘job’ better.
Gabby
I may be wrong, but didn’t Michael D speak Spanish on his official trips to Mexico and El Salvador?
I understand that President Cearbhall O’Dalaig in the mid-70s made an official visit to France and at public functions made speeches in two languages – French and Gaelic.
The Sunday Telegraph?
How many readers of that rag are there in Ireland? I mean ones that realize it.
Approximately 2,000 copies of the Telegraph sold daily in Ireland – http://www.ilevel.ie/media-blog/print/102969-abc-circulation-january-2018
And that’s all you’ve noticed in the Sunday Papers presentation? Would you ever…..
I noticed you noticed nothing. Except my comment. SCORE.
* chuckles *
Ah, bless. :-D
I really find it hard to understand the group think that Michael D Higgins is “doing a great job” or the “best President ever”. For me his term in office has been defined by mediocrity with no single defining moment. Safe pair of hands is the kindest thing one could say. Contrast this with Robinson and Mc Aleese who defined the role in their own right, the position and status of mna na heireainn for Robinson and the peace process for Mc Aleese. The role of our President is limited but it is at least an exercise in debate and democracy to fill it. There is currently a cross party attempt to subvert both and rubberstamp 7 more years of safe mediocrity. I believe that all politicians have a responsibility to ensure any qualified citizen is allowed to contest this election. And I also believe that where there is only one candidate there should be an option on the ballot paper to RON (Reopen Nominations)
Squee didn’t have a peace process or was President during a huge cultural shift in Ireland. You have to judge his term in context and he was very vocal on a many number of topical issues. International and domestic. If anyone cared to listen
Which they don’t. Cause the job is to rubberstamp and be thoughtfully Irish for optics. Which he did.
People can still give it a go. Just need the support and if they really wanted it they just have to put in the work.
But if politicians follow party mandate of supporting Higgins them it’s very difficult for any non party candidate to get the nod to run. That is a democratic deficit in my opinion.
Internationally it’s a diplomatic role, and I rather Miggledee doing that than, say, as per the papers report… that Duffy fella.
But, that’s just me and my tuppence.
I would consider giving a vote to Joan Freeman were she to declare. Different strokes for different folks.
Miggledy is the man. He pushed the very restrictive confines of the office as far as he could – and was reprimanded by Government on more than one occasion.
What were the occasions he did that?
Higgins wasn’t president during a huge cultural shift in Ireland?
Come on,
Marriage equality or repeal the 8th ref aren’t big cultural shifts? You’re kidding me.,
He had his opportunity but he played in safe, Robinson on the other hand wouldn’t have done this in a million years.
As President, he couldn’t make his opinion public about either referendum. However, from his work in the past it was clear which sides he supported.
Robinson wouldn’t have done what? Respected the appointment? I would disagree if that’s what you’re claiming.
SF are putting a candidate forward so an election will happen.
I agree. I am sure Michael D is a very decent man but in comparison to his predecessor who used every excuse to get out and meet the people, he did not have the same impact.
I see Gavin Duffy is thinking of running. I don’t think this is a position for a business person at all as the skill set is very different. You would have to really like people and there is no profit margin to consider which has been his core focus.
I might get a slap for ageism here but I think that someone younger might be more suitable. Age slows us down and to do the job properly would require a lot of energy. It should most definitely not be a retirement jolly, which is what it was before the two Marys.
Michael D has been a wonderful president and stellar representative of the people of Ireland at home and abroad.
a president that espouses equality, acceptance and vision but can’t publicly reconcile their own sexuality is a sham.
AND don’t ever forget that photo of him ‘riding’ a skateboard.
OR his amazing ability to speak ‘as Gaeilge’ tthrough his nose at random moments.
I wish I could think of another example of his ample talent.
I’m too busy thinking that a younger person could do the ‘job’ better.
I may be wrong, but didn’t Michael D speak Spanish on his official trips to Mexico and El Salvador?
I understand that President Cearbhall O’Dalaig in the mid-70s made an official visit to France and at public functions made speeches in two languages – French and Gaelic.
One does not have to be a soccer fan or lover of World Cup football to be flabbergasted by the content of this thread on Croatia…. Jaw dropping stuff!
https://twitter.com/samstreetwrites/status/1018415198082945024?s=19