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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Learning from the first Irish presidential debate and Newt Gingrich on immigration

Posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at 03:54 AM

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This is a tale of two debates that I watched the last two nights.

The first was the first Irish presidential debate which took place on the 'Frontline' program in Dublin hosted by Pat Kenny, one of Ireland's best known broadcasters .

As I have mentioned here I have been mulling over a decision about running for president of Ireland, after being approached during the Obama visit .

I could not take part in the debate as it took place at too short a notice. But I certainly learnt a lot.

The format was different. There were two Greek choruses, commenting continuously on the statements made by the four candidates who did appear.

There was an in-studio panel of two experts and the studio audience themselves who gave vent to their many deep frustrations about the Irish economy and other assorted topics.

The results had a deer in the headlights feel to them,with candidates being second guessed within seconds of making a point, not by the other candidates but by the clearly fired up Greek choruses.

Right at the beginning, journalist Tom McGurk,one of the panel of two, made it clear he considered the entire presidential field inferior. He had suggested rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll take the job .

Meanwhile, the audience was revved up also, taking issue with almost every candidate's points.

The upshot is the feeling that being a candidate for political office in Ireland right now is a little like forming a firing squad in a circle. The people are plenty angry and any election will do for them to vent their frustrations.
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READ MORE:
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Niall O'Dowd: Why running for President of Ireland brings out the best and worst

Niall O'Dowd: Running for Irish president (maybe) day one and two
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That is healthy and good,I'm sure but not necessarily for the candidates ,who I've previously noted all seem like solid citizens with the best interest of Ireland at heart.

The Republican debate later that night was a more classic format with the candidates lined up facing a moderator, John King of CNN.

I was impressed with of all people Newt Gingrich who gave the only realistic answer on the illegal immigration issue of anyone.

He pointed out it was not feasible to deport all 20 million undocumented, any more than it was feasible to legalize them all.

Seems such an obvious point but that is what passes for in-depth analysis of an issue that has been demagogued to death these days.

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rpmschevy | Jun 15, 2011, 12:30 PM EDT

Do not forget that Naill is also a known criminal. Since his moral compass is that laws are OK to be broken, what says he has Ireland's best interest at heart?

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Trealach | Jun 15, 2011, 12:06 PM EDT

Let's at least have some truth from a man who is interested in the job. WHO exactly asked you to run Mr. O'Dowd? Fiánna Fáil haven't - Fine Gáel haven't - Labour haven't - Sinn Féin haven't - the technical group in the Dáil aren't putting up a candidate - so be honest at least with your readers and tell us - WHO Asked you? Honesty is certainly the first requirement of the President, so tell us.

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John5319 | Jun 15, 2011, 11:44 AM EDT

What is a "debate"? Certainly NOT a studio audience that vents their personal frustrations. It is accomplished with rules for interaction, not for the "town hall meeting style" which allows for personal frustration from an audience. Informal debate is a common occurrence in Parliamentary proceedings. A formal debate allows for an in depth UNDERSTANDING of the candidates character to define his stance on issues that effect policy, not his frustrations!

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mylesie | Jun 15, 2011, 10:02 AM EDT

Little caution: O'Dowd too much of an Irish-American for the Áras NIALL O’DOWD, founder and publisher of the Irish Voice and IrishCentral.com in the United States, must be the first aspirant to Áras an Uachtaráin who sees Ireland and the Irish as a brand, not a nation. O’Dowd may be kidding himself that, with his return ticket to New York booked and paid for, he can lead us all to a new tomorrow, but he will not kid the Irish people. Walter Ellis is a former Brussels, Belfast and Diplomatic Correspondent of The Irish Times .

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cillowen | Jun 15, 2011, 09:59 AM EDT

i can't visualize anyone other than a tall handsome well spoken person with a resume of success being the prez of erin - otherwise any baboon will waddle in making it clear the irish are a nowhere people. The wife must equally be a match - not a xxxxxxx partner that is today's model for kock-up failure.

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antoman | Jun 15, 2011, 08:50 AM EDT

Watched it and was'nt impressed by any of the candidates on the show.In fairness to Pat Kenny he mentioned your name several times Niall O'Dowd in particular again right at the end of the show.Early days yet.Four months to go.

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Towngate | Jun 15, 2011, 06:23 AM EDT

Niall,a chara: It's early days get and we are still waiting for candidates to be endorsed and declared properly. As you say; only four of the fourteen prospective presidents appeared on the RTE 'Frontline' TV show and the audience was certainly 'loaded for bear!' ~ you can imagine what they will be like later on, in the last couple of furlongs! ~ Your standing in the betting seems worth a 'loyalty punt', but the Polls are not too great for you, just at the moment...! ~ ~ I am pleased you use the phrase: ..."mulling over a decision about running"...! as your obfuscation shows there is still time for you to consider my proposal that your talents and energies might serve Ireland better if you Organised and harnessed the American Irish Diaspora ( A.I.D.) as a real entity, and you represented them to Ireland and the rest of the World as their elected President. I think many people might like the idea and support you wholeheartedly. Slainte.

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