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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Why running for President of Ireland brings out the best and worst ----not to mention the humor and hostility

Posted on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at 10:13 PM

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When I stated publicly to the Irish Times in a front page story that I had been asked to consider running for Irish president, I knew reactions would run the gamut from praise to disdain.

The bookmakers didn't seem to take it too seriously at first. Paddy Power opened up with my odds at 25/1, suddenly then they were 18/1 then 11/1 where they currently reside, fourth on the list of favorites.

Not bad for a single week I suppose

The increase in interest brought its own focus good and bad and sometimes just funny.

The Dissident IRA supporters radio program in New York suggested I be sent as Ambassador to Mongolia instead of running for president of Ireland and forced to undergo re-education there.

Hmm, undergoing re-education among a field of Yaks in Ulan Bator was not really on my horizon.

They also compared me to Donald Trump saying I was contemplating running just to boost my own ego.

That was even more insulting.

Give me re-education in Outer Mongolia to being compared to The Donald.

That really hurt.

Fair enough I don't expect too many friends in that camp post peace process, where they have never forgiven me for pushing for political rather than a military solution.

Meanwhile, back in Ireland, on the site Politics.ie two discussion boards couldn't decide whether I was an idiot or genuinely trying to do better for Ireland.

Some of the comments were cutting, some wonderfully warm.

One stood out remarking that neither my brother, Fergus, a Minister of State in Ireland or Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein leader in Ireland actually liked me and the blogger had personal knowledge of this.

That sort of took me aback and was news to me about two men i have known a very long time indeed.

Is there something I should know?

My 11-year -old daughter, taking her head out of her Ipod has become vaguely aware something other than the usual banalities are being discussed and asked the most pertinent question of all --- Was there a Disney Channel in Ireland?

Utterly reassured she returned to her Ipod.

My twenty-year-old niece, Daire, out from Ireland, filled me in on what her friends were thinking, for many there is very little alternative to the emigrant plane.

It is a generation later but the same discussion is going on with her and her friends, as was with me when left in 1979.

Plus ca change you might say.

I wrote an op-ed in the Sunday Business Post pointing out some of the potential of the Irish diaspora and received several dozen texts soon after , mostly saying it was time Ireland looked west as well as to Europe.

That was interesting. I will be in Ireland to gauge more reaction in a week or so .

I'll let you know how it goes.

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27 Comments

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tullyallen | Jun 18, 2011, 01:36 PM EDT

There's a 1.2 million euro limit for the campaign . A lot of money by any man standards.

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themurphia | Jun 18, 2011, 09:50 AM EDT

jacers...Maybe...maybe not it's a moot point...and one that no doubt is being explored before Niall declares his interest...hence his mulling over whether to run...!

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tullyallen | Jun 16, 2011, 04:28 AM EDT

It's a load of paddy whackery. There are enough cute hoors in the country we don't need to import another one from New York .

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jacersagain | Jun 15, 2011, 05:55 PM EDT

@ themurphia – Walter Ellis is a renowned journalist from Nth Ireland, now semi-retired and who now spends his time between New York and Ireland. When Irish Central started up, he used the screen name Watchman, which you might still see pop up now and again. Mr. Ellis posted on IC on June 6th last under Niall’s Periscope article of the 5th June, in which he basically told Niall that he was mad to think of going for the Irish Presidency. I agreed with his views. >> Having read today’s Irish Times article by Mr. Ellis, and seen the footnote to the article which gave the wording of the Oath of Allegiance taken by successful immigrants to the USA, I can’t see how Niall can go for the Presidency and retain his US citizenship.

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themurphia | Jun 15, 2011, 10:03 AM EDT

The Dublin meeja mafia especially the IT is very hostile to Republican/Nationalists...It was originally a Protestant/Ascendancy Unionist rag and it remains a pro Unionist rag..the mindset of the Irish at home is very diffeent to the Irish abroad...they are very conservative as you can imagine after all they were not the one's forced to leave... They never miss an opportunity to try and undermine SF...They were really pissed when Pearse Doherty forced the election in Donegal SW in the High Court and when SF gained seats in the General Election...The National ERgasm when Eilis a do visited was quite repulsive...they seem to have some kind of identity problem or maybe that should be a problem with Irish identity like they wish they weren't...it's depressing...

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donalo2001 | Jun 15, 2011, 07:37 AM EDT

This Irish Times piece today seems like a carefully orchestrated ambush , where this this Ellis guy come from?(Ellis Ellis , who the f**k is Ellis)But if thats the worst they can throw at you, then theres nothing to fear boy You will have to answer about the dual allegiance and a bit of magnaminity about the Queen of Englands dignified bow to the heroes of 1916 wouldnt go amiss but there is nothing in there to dissuade the Irish 'green' contingent, in fact it might do you some good.

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themurphia | Jun 15, 2011, 04:17 AM EDT

Nasty little hatchet job by Walter Ellis in the Irish Times today...you'd think it was Gaddafi that was running...linking you with the bogeymen of Irish politics SF and Gery Adams...and shock horror claiming that you 'dissed'...tho' they'd Never Never Never! use that word...John Hume by suggesting that Adams should have received the Peace Prize instead of Hume who is regarded as something of a latter day saint...As it was the Hume/Adams agreement that led to the Peace process I think Adams should have been recognised as well as Hume whatever about Trimble...a word to the wise the Irish Times is no friend of Republican/Nationalists... Best way to make friends and influence people in Ireland throw money at them...!

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JBRAFTREE | Jun 14, 2011, 05:08 PM EDT

Run man RUN, for your good, and Ireland's.

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mamaginnty | Jun 14, 2011, 12:24 PM EDT

Norris does have a great chance but mainly because he is so well know ( for good or bad )over the years. Candidates sre stepping up now that I have never seen or heard of before, so get your face plastered all over the south and get the media (very important) on your side.

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cillowen | Jun 13, 2011, 07:33 PM EDT

this is a way to live in the fancy palace. capitalism is on its last legs - we need a blend of public and private initiatives going forward. The programmed masses believers in the tooth fairy will fight it until the pains gets unbearable. Multi billionaire days will be numbered but a new inducement to excite the gifted entrepreuners will be required. Posh palaces and lavish behaviour will be frowned upon.

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marsman | Jun 13, 2011, 06:50 PM EDT

Alternative suggestion, since you are in the media: take on the subject of the failure of the media. This would also be a pretty worthwhile activity because the media and their financial advice, opinions, etc. cost the Irish (and not just Irish) dearly.

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stephenNolanIre | Jun 13, 2011, 05:58 PM EDT

Hi Niall, I would defo support you and help out if you need helpers over here on your campaign. People need to hear more about you and what you are proposing to do as president. I would suggest also to do the local radio and press when you come over here in the next weeks. Over 50% of news is gotten from local radio and newspapers, don't underestimate them. Also, don't for a minute take politics.ie as a guage of public or even politico opinion. The parties hire posters to float ideas and think they can control debate on it. Good Luck!!!

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oldboreen | Jun 13, 2011, 03:40 PM EDT

Mr O'Dowd, you're an ace codder!! See it's worked on some of your fans!

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Hannrick | Jun 13, 2011, 03:12 PM EDT

Good luck Niall, a fresh approach and some fresh ideas are needed to get the country out of the duldrums.

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Sparklet | Jun 13, 2011, 03:10 PM EDT

I can't see it going down well.

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