Frontrunner of Irish presidency Senator David Norris launches his campaign
Posted on Friday, January 21, 2011 at 07:07 AM
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On Monday week, I’ll be interviewing Senator David Norris on his bid to become Ireland’s President later this year. In what’ll be the first big event of the campaign, the Senator and I will be having what promises to be a fun evening in front of a live audience in Galway’s University campus. In a news environment where it’s impossible to avoid the dismal conduct of politicians, it’ll make a welcome change to discuss positive issues with such a colourful figure.
In recent times, the Presidency has been transformed. What was formerly the political equivalent of a nice pen set for a retiring Fianna Fáil minister, the cobwebs in the Aras were emphatically blown out following the election of Mary Robinson. While the hand that rocked the cradle rocked the system during her campaign, she rocked the foundations of her office for seven years: she met with Queen and shook hands with Gerry Adams, she spoke out on human rights disasters in Somalia and Rwanda, and in her constitutional battle with Charles Haughey she asserted the President’s independence and gave what was a staid and dowdy office a fresh and liberal face.
Her successor Mary McAlesse’s carried on that torch in a slightly more moderate way, but her two terms were very much carried out on Robinson’s trail. Now, when the reputation of the political classes would have to reach up to get in the gutter, a vibrant, active and morale-boosting President has rarely been as important.
As candidates go, Norris is a popular contender even at this early stage, but he has his obstacles. For starters, he won’t get on the ballot at all if he doesn’t get the nomination of 20 Oireachtas members or the sanction of four county councils. On the issues, his sexuality has been deposed into the argument with brazen and innuendo-laden vigour by the Campaign For Conscience. Since his term would encompass him being Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces for the Easter Rising centenary celebrations, his republican credentials will also no doubt be called into question. But, it’s a long campaign, and no doubt it’ll be an eventful one. But it starts this Monday.
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PolinDeB | Jan 23, 2011, 09:38 PM EST
For feck sakes.. FF flouted their "republican" credential's as they destroyed the country. Senator Norris is a true patriot, one who loves Ireland... My granddad fought in the war of independence..my grandmother tried to get to dublin for 1916.. Both would probably agree that David Norris is more representative of the Ireland they fought for than the Galway tent attitude of armchair republicans.
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Towngate | Jan 22, 2011, 08:55 PM EST
CAN'T WAIT > UP DAVID!
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WoundedKnee | Jan 21, 2011, 12:21 PM EST
jpreardon: I have no strong feelings for or against Norris, and might indeed vote for him if I had the chance. But your post is nonsense. I doubt if you could find a country in Europe that has changed so much in 30 years. Contrary to what you may think, people have a right to prefer slower change without being insulted by bigots like you. Why do you so rudely and carelessly insult those whom you disagree with, good people, young, old, Catholic, Protestant, no religion, rural, urban etc. ? It's shameful.
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JPReardon | Jan 21, 2011, 12:04 PM EST
I was a student of David Norris' at Trinity back in the Bronze Age. I got to know him then and have followed his career since. He was not only a brilliant teacher, but a witty and humane individual with a passion for people, life and Irish culture. He would do Ireland proud as President. The "obstacles" you mention have to do with that small but blinkered, philistine, small-minded and fearful segment of the Irish population who are terrified by difference, progress and change. Ireland has a chance to show the world it has thrown off the yoke of repression and meanness and embraced a newer and fuller vision of its always great potential. Let's hope they take advantage of it.
John Reardon
Toronto
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