Presidential Election Update:
As mentioned previously in the blog the 7 members of the Irish State who have decided to try to become the president of the country appeared on the long running chat show The Late Late Show. The proceedings started off with an explanation about how the running order had been worked out and this was followed with a 5 minute interview between the host, Ryan Tubridy and each candidate with the exception of David Norris. Norris was not interviewed as he had been on the show 2 weeks earlier and the television station and the other candidates did not think that more air time for him would be fair.
The following is how Eamon Keane, a radio presenter and newspaper columnist gave his findings in the Evening Herald Paper of October 1st 2011.
Michael D Higgins was Mr President, complete with his new shortened locks. The key his steady body language. no finger waving, hands held together in presidential pose. Listen back to his voice pace, the use of pause to emphasise a point. Higgins scored high on competency. You figure that, of the bunch, he's the one you'd trust to make a tough call on a constitutional issue. The presidency is his to lose. Rating 9/10.
Sean Gallagher, The other candidates should watch his body language, mirrored in his confident walk. He frequently used the questions to set out his own stall. Cleverly, he also used the McAleese bounce, referencing the Presidents ability to inspire. Mary Davis take note. However he got dragges into a head game over being a mere TV celebrity on Dragonss' Den. He will know to avoid that next time. Rating 7/10.
Dana Rosemary Scallon knows how to work TV. She was warm and assertive without being strident. She took a clever line on sovereignty and was the first to directly address the audience. Phrases like 'people felt silenced' over the bank bailout resonated around the country. She handled all Tubridy threw at her and turned the tables on him when he tackled her on mandatory reporting. However she is way too low in the polls to worry Michael D Higgins. Ratings 7/10.
Gay Mitchell His handlers should look at his walk, it's simply not presidential. The turquoise tie promised an X Factor that never materialised. Too much hand movement distracted, and made Gay appear like a stern teacher. However Mitchell was powerful in his attack om McGuinness. Equally, his closing speech wa moving as he spoke of his family background. However it was not enough to put him into our heads as Mr. President. Rating 6/10.
Martin McGuinness was strong, but has a hard edge that won't pull in the floating vote. Tubridy asked a really good question on why he left the IRA and said at one stage 'your not going to answer it are you'. And that is the problem with Martin, as he also avoidedthe simple question about his personal belief on meeting Queen Elizabeth. He would do better to be honest. Rating 5/10.
Mary Davis began well. The bright red dress exuded warmth and she walked in with confidence, However her natural natural grace got lost under pressure. The political interview is unlike any other. She stumbled when asked about Denis O'Brien's involvment in her campaign. I would have advised a different response. The camera caught her at times looking frazzled on the reaction shots. She must remember that you are always on. Rating 5/10.
Alas poor David Norris I knew him well. The last few months have been savage and David appeared tetchy and Tired. He needs to slow down and adopt a more moderate voice tone. Giving out to interviewers - as Martin McGuinness does - is not a strategy. It is an emotional reaction which he needs to drop fast. Rating 5/10.
My take on the debate was that all the candidates have developed ways of not answering questions, some did not know the answer, some did not want to give the answer and most wanted to answer a question that was not asked.That's politics.
On a lighter note the Irish Rugby team are playing their final group game in the 2011 Rugby World Cup in Dunedin, New Zealand at 8.30am (GMT) against a team from Italy. If Ireland win they will reach the quartre finals knockout stages.
Come on Ireland.
As mentioned previously in the blog the 7 members of the Irish State who have decided to try to become the president of the country appeared on the long running chat show The Late Late Show. The proceedings started off with an explanation about how the running order had been worked out and this was followed with a 5 minute interview between the host, Ryan Tubridy and each candidate with the exception of David Norris. Norris was not interviewed as he had been on the show 2 weeks earlier and the television station and the other candidates did not think that more air time for him would be fair.
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| All the Presidential Candidates and Ryan Tubridy. |
The following is how Eamon Keane, a radio presenter and newspaper columnist gave his findings in the Evening Herald Paper of October 1st 2011.
Michael D Higgins was Mr President, complete with his new shortened locks. The key his steady body language. no finger waving, hands held together in presidential pose. Listen back to his voice pace, the use of pause to emphasise a point. Higgins scored high on competency. You figure that, of the bunch, he's the one you'd trust to make a tough call on a constitutional issue. The presidency is his to lose. Rating 9/10.
Sean Gallagher, The other candidates should watch his body language, mirrored in his confident walk. He frequently used the questions to set out his own stall. Cleverly, he also used the McAleese bounce, referencing the Presidents ability to inspire. Mary Davis take note. However he got dragges into a head game over being a mere TV celebrity on Dragonss' Den. He will know to avoid that next time. Rating 7/10.
Dana Rosemary Scallon knows how to work TV. She was warm and assertive without being strident. She took a clever line on sovereignty and was the first to directly address the audience. Phrases like 'people felt silenced' over the bank bailout resonated around the country. She handled all Tubridy threw at her and turned the tables on him when he tackled her on mandatory reporting. However she is way too low in the polls to worry Michael D Higgins. Ratings 7/10.
Gay Mitchell His handlers should look at his walk, it's simply not presidential. The turquoise tie promised an X Factor that never materialised. Too much hand movement distracted, and made Gay appear like a stern teacher. However Mitchell was powerful in his attack om McGuinness. Equally, his closing speech wa moving as he spoke of his family background. However it was not enough to put him into our heads as Mr. President. Rating 6/10.
Martin McGuinness was strong, but has a hard edge that won't pull in the floating vote. Tubridy asked a really good question on why he left the IRA and said at one stage 'your not going to answer it are you'. And that is the problem with Martin, as he also avoidedthe simple question about his personal belief on meeting Queen Elizabeth. He would do better to be honest. Rating 5/10.
Mary Davis began well. The bright red dress exuded warmth and she walked in with confidence, However her natural natural grace got lost under pressure. The political interview is unlike any other. She stumbled when asked about Denis O'Brien's involvment in her campaign. I would have advised a different response. The camera caught her at times looking frazzled on the reaction shots. She must remember that you are always on. Rating 5/10.
Alas poor David Norris I knew him well. The last few months have been savage and David appeared tetchy and Tired. He needs to slow down and adopt a more moderate voice tone. Giving out to interviewers - as Martin McGuinness does - is not a strategy. It is an emotional reaction which he needs to drop fast. Rating 5/10.
My take on the debate was that all the candidates have developed ways of not answering questions, some did not know the answer, some did not want to give the answer and most wanted to answer a question that was not asked.That's politics.
On a lighter note the Irish Rugby team are playing their final group game in the 2011 Rugby World Cup in Dunedin, New Zealand at 8.30am (GMT) against a team from Italy. If Ireland win they will reach the quartre finals knockout stages.
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| Ireland against Russia Credits INPHO/Dan Sheridan |
Come on Ireland.
