In a way, we need more politicians like Eamon Ryan. But we should pray to all the Gods that the next one is on the right side of the political spectrum, and not also a Green.
Thinking ahead.
You don’t need to be a political genius to work out that “Rhasidat Adeleke isn’t Irish” is not exactly a political slogan likely to attract the masses.
“But (eliminated candidate) is really nice. Can we not ask him for more?”
Yet such an event would immediately shift the political ground rightward in Ireland by several degrees, and be a much better situation than that which faces those of us frustrated by the lie of the political land as it stands.
There will always be those who put their names on a ballot paper out of ego, or spite, or a delusional belief that they can win simply by so doing.
Father Ted skits abound
Consciously running as the consummate political talking points machine, sounding much more angry about the public and companies like X than she is at the political system she’s supposed to be changing.
The picture will change over the coming weeks inevitably for a few reasons.
To the extent that Fine Gael is winning back votes, it is winning them back from people who want to see some change, but not loads of change.
All the evidence you’ll ever need that we are governed not only by buffoons, but by dishonest and unprincipled buffoons.
Middle class acceptability is a prerequisite for political success, and for the moment, for many of those seeking election on a patriotic platform, that ingredient is almost entirely lacking.