Presidency Race against time!

Like it or not, it is fair to say that the Presidential Election of 2011 is one of the main topics of discussion in recent weeks. From your local supermarket to pub, school to work it tends to crop up in conversation time and time again. Many will say "ah politics" or" sure what does the President do for me?" but they will nonetheless want their say on polling day.

Another important thing to note is that this topic tends to unite people as essentially we all want the same thing. A candidate who will represent Ireland as a democratic independent country and who will work to restore Ireland to its former strengths politically, economically and culturally. A person who wishes to foster Ireland's links with other nations and act for the people, rather than posing as a figurehead.


Traditionally the President of Ireland is viewed as a somewhat airy-fairy position with little or no input into topical issues. What the majority of people really want is someone who will fight for our rights, stand up for what they believe in and most importantly challenge the bureaucracy evident in politics today. This may sound slightly ambitious but there is no harm in aiming high and at least looking for hunger and passion in the eyes of our prospective President.



Presidential candidates in all their glory



There are seven prospective candidates in the running, ranging from considerably different backgrounds. As always with a highly publicised and competitive situation, controversy is the name of the game. From the letters involving David Norris's former lover to the accusations flung at Martin McGuinness for his presumed involvement with the IRA, the dirt has well and truly been flung.

There have been quite a few radio and television debates in recent days as the campaign race hots up. Nervy Ryan Tubridy and cantankerous Vincent Browne, two strikingly different television hosts both had a go at haranguing the canidiates. Both found it exceedingly difficult to control their guests who were only too eager to attack each other! 

So it remains to be seen... is Gay Mitchell of the perpetually self satisfied expression the winner of our vote? Or is it David Norris, perhaps the best man ever to evade a question considering the pratcice he has had of late or even Dana for whom the Constitution is almost a lifeline at this stage. Or maybe Micheal D Higgins will emerge victorious, for keeping schtum and avoiding trouble is a tried and tested method. He might be the dark horse who emerges as the one to reap the reward. It is a good as an idea as any and for those who disagree,it must be said in a quintessentially Irish fashion... feck the begrudgers! To read more from The Independent click on this link.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/presidential-election/michael-d-for-president-but-david-norris-for-dinner-2898011.html