The interesting re entry of Norris makes this race fascinating if albeit flawed by the quality of the selection. Nothing compares to Mary Robinson,Mary Mc Aleese or in a previous time that genial statesman Erskine Childers[R.I.P] The Norris agenda being totally supported by IMPORTANT ELEMENTS in the INDO AND R.T.E is part of modern Irish thinking. Change,change,change,change before you consider anything else you must change. Mind you neither the INDO or R,T,E have made any great changes to their personnel or their media outputs,broadcasters,journalists,columnists,or presenters over the last decade. The country must have changes according to the INDO and R.T.E but both the INDO and R,T,E have stood still. It is also fair to point out, that when any sign of scandal envelopes their own staff members, both R.T.E and the INDO are as quick to circle the wagons as the Catholic church.
If the Sinn Féin campaign is as slick as I expect it to be then have a punt on Mc Guinness. Either way we are in for a monumental battle with the trendy gay loving revisionists against the starry plough wrapped traditionalists. Wrap the Green flag round me !

Brinsley Swartz (Mayo) - Posts: 2225 - 17/09/2011 13:54:10    1036768

Seamus89
County: Kilkenny
Posts: 2229

1036586
Not a fan of SF, but Martin has my vote. He's far superior to the rest of the field.

I'm shocked... you're a lefty after all.

Hag

The beauty of McGuiness is there is no dirt that is not already out there or that will shock. I think he'll poll well. He'll nail down the transfers from Mitchell to Michael D. though as FG supporters will be terrified at the prospect of a SF president.

roundball (Tipperary) - Posts: 2514 - 17/09/2011 19:20:56    1036898

It seems that Martin has obtained the required signatories to enter the race.

derryman (Derry) - Posts: 3246 - 17/09/2011 19:36:23    1036909

Hag_and_Cheese
County: Tipperary
Posts: 5957

1036759
Where do they start digging up the dirt on McGuinness.... there would be so many places to start.
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There is very little to be "found out" about Martin Mc Guinness today.Incase you didn't know he has run for political office before in times past and against opponents who have had a much more voracious dislike for him than this current presidential field.You cannot fluster Mc Guinness in an interview,he will stand his ground and not be intimidated by the bias that will show itself against his candidacy.

All that being said I'm not even sure that it is a good idea for him to run at all.

seanie_boy (Tyrone) - Posts: 4235 - 17/09/2011 21:01:05    1036962

I was a Sean Gallagher man from the start, but now I'm torn between himself and McGuinness. I certainly think Martin would be an ideal President, republican values have been slowly seeping out of the psyche of the people in southern Ireland, and it would be a good thing to have them implemented again, especially at such an opportune time as this. We have seen mainstream political parties hand away control of Irish destinies, and in doing so destroy the sentiments expressed in the 1916 Proclamation. I believe FG would s*** themselves if they had to deal with McGuiness as Uachtaráin, as SF are now effectively the opposition to the government.

Its worth noting that SF have two things FF dont. One is a representative in the Capital, and the other is a Presidential candidate. The party is making massive strides at the moment, but to win this race may be beyond them.

Sergeant_Slash (Cavan) - Posts: 2182 - 17/09/2011 21:02:32    1036964

McGuiness Will poll very well which is what Sinn Fein want - Its transferable vote so that is where he will fall down - But if sinn Fein see there man getting 17%-20% first preference it will be a big lift for the party - and I assume that is what their objective is

ruanua (Donegal) - Posts: 4966 - 17/09/2011 21:44:52    1036986

he will be getting my vote anyway.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 17/09/2011 21:48:34    1036988

At this stage I want Norris back. He won't get elected, but he'll split Michael D's vote goodo, and that could allow Martin to get in there for the sneaky win. The media likes Michael D., loves Norris, and hates Gay Mitchell (poor guy, never thought much of him, but he's gotten dogs abuse for all sorts of things). A victory for McGuinness would be, to borrow a phrase from Dr. Shepherd, a real kick in the teeth to the national media.

Seamus89 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 3848 - 17/09/2011 21:51:25    1036990

Blueshirts getting their digs in about Sinn Fein already; this is going to get dirty.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9819 - 18/09/2011 18:03:49    1037250

Even if Martin Mc Guiness fails miserably his entry is a winner for the Irish people. With his statement on the salary now in the open and clarified for ( paddy included) and all of the population of Ireland it may well set a precedent where only those with the best of intentions will put them selves forward. Indeed I am wondering how hard Dana and Norris will now work to gain the nomination. He is a breath of fresh air to the Irish political scene. Not only did he place himself at the forefront of the war he has put himself at the forefront of the peace and whatever anyone may say about him he is anything but self serving. For many I believe he will epitomise all that is good in politics.

derryman (Derry) - Posts: 3246 - 18/09/2011 18:39:35    1037282

Regarding Norris where is that man from?? - he has the most pretentious/pompous accent.

caz (Tyrone) - Posts: 111 - 18/09/2011 18:53:37    1037295

Caz I would hazard a guess that he is actually a character from an unpublished Joycean work. He certainly does not appear to represent much that is Irish. It will be difficult for the voters to choose between a man that has called the 1916 rebels terrorists and a candidate who some press actually call a terrorist for attempting to finish the job started by the men of 1916.

derryman (Derry) - Posts: 3246 - 18/09/2011 19:20:47    1037318

Indeed Derryman, the accent alone says it all - fake!

Not a difficult choice in my opinion - though I have to add that as long as Norris is not successful I would also be reasonably content with anyone else.

caz (Tyrone) - Posts: 111 - 18/09/2011 19:42:09    1037335

Derryman

If I get together a few UL students tonight, rustle up a few guns and head up North to liberate yee, will you rally to my banner? Will Martin? If not, why not?

The men of 1916 were not so callous when it came to civilian casualties (the vast majority of those killed in Easter Week were killed by British gunfire and shelling). The IRA of the McGuinness era were hugely callous.

Also, there have been many allegations, including some from leading Republicans, that McGuinness was actually a British informer.

Seamus89 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 3848 - 18/09/2011 19:49:15    1037339

Sorry seamus that boat has sailed 1969/70 was the time for that I am sure you can remember that as clearly as you can remember 1916. Regardless whether you like or not, or even if I do they were needed since there was no-one else.

derryman (Derry) - Posts: 3246 - 18/09/2011 19:57:16    1037346

Sorry seamus that boat has sailed 1969/70 was the time for that I am sure you can remember that as clearly as you can remember 1916. Regardless whether you like or not, or even if I do they were needed since there was no-one else. As regards the last accusation, that, I am sure will be wheeled out again. But even the dissedents dont try to pedal that rubbish only the pacifist enemies of progress and peace do i am afraid.

derryman (Derry) - Posts: 3246 - 18/09/2011 20:01:33    1037352

Seamus89
County: Kilkenny
Posts: 2240

1037339 Derryman

If I get together a few UL students tonight, rustle up a few guns and head up North to liberate yee, will you rally to my banner? Will Martin? If not, why not?

The men of 1916 were not so callous when it came to civilian casualties (the vast majority of those killed in Easter Week were killed by British gunfire and shelling). The IRA of the McGuinness era were hugely callous.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grow up! stop romanticising times of old and demonising more recent conflicts - war, regardless of the era is never thoughtful!!

caz (Tyrone) - Posts: 111 - 18/09/2011 20:06:28    1037360

great stuff someone to finally vote for

halfbackwards (Galway) - Posts: 104 - 18/09/2011 21:11:40    1037445

I think Martin McGuiness has a great chance. It reminds me of how the 'quality' media and journalists wrote countless negative and revisionist articles about the 1916 rising at the time of the 90th anniversary. What happened? Over 100,000 came out for the commemoration in Dublin. Once again they will dig the dirt on this great republican leader, but I think they might finish up with more egg on their faces. At this time the country needs a return to republican ideals and a figurehead who is respected and known across the world. And my friends that man is Martin McGuinness.

thistle_harps (UK) - Posts: 879 - 19/09/2011 16:21:20    1038033

paddyogall
County: Mayo
Posts: 4205

1036721 I must also point out that taking the average industrial wage does not save the taxpaying citizens a penny because as you know the balance of their salary goes to their party.

Not true.He's only taking the industrial wage and there is no balance going anywhere as it's not coming out in the first place.
It's hard to beat the misinformation.

northpole (Derry) - Posts: 739 - 19/09/2011 17:18:40    1038100