The upcoming Presidential campaign has turned into nothing but a complete farce, if you ask me. The seven candidates – Michael D Higgins, Sean Gallagher, Martin McGuinness, David Norris, Gay Mitchell, Dana Rosemary Scallon and Mary Davis – don’t stand out as outstanding frontrunners at all, and I don’t have the intention of voting in two week’s time. That said though, that’s not really my fault either – I think it’s a bit ridiculous scheduling the election on a Thursday – what about the thousands of students that live away from home during the semester? A bit silly, if you ask me.
Anyway, this campaign, in my opinion, has developed from what should be a very serious matter, to a constant bickering between the seven candidates. Each is trying to frequently belittle their fellow candidates, whether it is in relation to past experiences, or current issues, or their future ideas.
The constant sniping and bitching has culminated, I think, into what is now a very childish campaign, with a lot of people stating that they wouldn’t like to see any of the seven candidates elected as President. I agree. If it’s not the candidates fighting like little schoolchildren, it’s the constant attacks from the media – ie Dana’s US citizenship, or the now infamous issue with David Norris and his ex-partner. I know that it’s the media’s role to bring out this information to the public, but at the same time, it’s becoming increasingly pettier as the campaign draws to a close, thus leading to many people questioning why they should even bother to vote.
Why can’t they act as mature adults for once? Fair enough, the whole issue with David Norris was probably justified (what I mean is that the media coverage was justified) but it’s time to forget about that now, and to stop dragging it up in media debates. The same can be said about the other candidates – what does it matter if Dana had US citizenship? Jesus, just get over it like!
The recent polls make for interesting reading though. Before the whole Norris debacle came to light, he would have probably gotten my vote. However, his performances on the recent televised debates were far from impressive and his general demeanour hasn’t really appealed to me. I do think it’s going to go down to the wire with Higgins and Gallagher.
Gallagher has the advantage of being known to the younger voting population through his involvement with RTE’s Dragon’s Den, while Higgins is looked at being too old, to put it simply. Michael D spoke here in UL a few weeks ago though, and he did impress me. Though a seasoned campaigner, he has a lot of political experience and that could sway it, particularly with the older voters.
It’s going to come down to transfers I think, and I’m going to say that Michael D could win it. Don’t rule McGuinness out either though..he won’t be too far from Gallagher and Higgins, but I don’t think that he is as popular as the aforementioned duo. My fiver would be thrown on Higgins to win. With odds only a few days ago of Higgins at 4/9 to win, and Gallagher of 9/4 to win, there’s not much between the two. One thing’s for sure though - it’s going to come down to the very wire.
Who’s getting your vote?
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