It’s a perfect August story – two years to the election and the bookies have a poll on it. Who’s going to be the next president of Ireland?
Fergus Finlay is a bit surprised at his mention, last week I heard Niall Crowley’s name a few times as a possible Labour nominee. Is nobody mentioning Michael D.?
Paddy Power has Bertie Ahern at 2/1, Brian Crowley at 4/1 and Fergus Finlay at 10/1. Ivan Yates is at 20/1 which has me half wondering if I can start the ‘elect Ivan now’ campaign if it means I don’t have to listen to him on the radio!
You can read the full list of odds here. Any names not mentioned that you would throw into the hat? And what will Fine Gael do? Could it be Avril versus Mairead all over again? Or will Sean Kelly (the GAA Sean rather than Rothar Sean) or Gay Mitchell get the nod for the candidacy instead?
(and no I don’t really want Ivan Yates as President of Ireland but maybe we could send him to Brussels never to be heard from again?)
No Emily O’Reilly on the list? Surprised.
“…don’t really want Ivan Yates as President of Ireland but maybe we could send him to Brussels never to be heard from again”
+1
I can start the ‘elect Ivan now’ campaign if it means I don’t have to listen to him on the radio!
You can always listen to another station.
Bono for president? « Rosemary Mac Cabe // Aug 17, 2009 at 15:02
[...] 17, 2009 in Uncategorized Oh, say it ain’t so. Via Maman Poulet, Paddy Power has the list of odds for the next Irish president. Bertie at 2/1 is both surprising [...]
You could always read another blog Simon
Paddy Cosgrove has launched an exploratory committee
The cynical in me asks do we actually need one? I’m really ambivalent after two terms of McAleese, who’s been so quiet compared to Robinson.
The recent Council of State highlighted for me the ‘invisibility’ issue, they were all together for a knees-up and still signed the legislation, which seemed to be a total load of hype, but we learn nothing about an important debate on controversial legislation. It sounded a bit like how the McAleese’s were reportedly involved in negotiations around the NI accord but it was all “behind closed doors”. All in all, I want more visibility from the next office-holder, and more communication/ democratic accountability. That said, anyone but Bertie is ok. Working through my ambivalence, I would suggest we need a President more than ever!
While my sensible choices would be be Joan Burton or Colm O’Gorman, I really think we need to “think big”. Elect someone outside the box, who could act as a symbol for our times, and lift us out of the sometime petty local politics, make us think about issues such as the Irish diaspora and help put the nation back on the world stage. That sort of stuff… to we have that sort of imagination?
Working title MiPresident Fergal?
none of the above campaign anyone?
we’ll be living in fine gael world by then surely
so gay mitchell ain’t getting it despite his greater political experience (vs McG) because ye can’t have someone enda beat for leadership… as president
Emily O’Reilly had a letter to the Phoenix last week which was quite tetchy about how she is not interested in nor pursuing a nomination from any party.
I say GAVIN KOSTICK would be a good contendor for President. Better than a lot of the above mentioned. He has vision and energy, an intelligent articulate guy with charisma. AND he’s certainly got a good memory as demonstrated in his brilliant performance of HEART OF DARKNESS … (for those of you old enough to remember MEMORY can be important asset for a Presidential Candidate in this Island of ours’ …)
If you’re looking for change, youth and vision put Gavin Kostick’s name on that list.
Kate
Maman Poulet » President Norris? // Feb 21, 2010 at 21:20
[...] By the way Ivan Yates is listed in the Paddy Power odds for the Presidency as 33/1 – the same odds as David Norris. Not sure if anyone has asked Ivan if he is interested in running – see previous post on my reaction? [...]
Maman Poulet » And the Arás marathon begins // Sep 9, 2010 at 01:08
[...] which was about as scientific as the latest Paddy Power odds (you can compare them to the post I wrote last year on the issue. David Norris 5/2 Brian Crowley 11/4 Michael D Higgins 3/1 John Bruton 7/1 Fergus [...]