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Reality-TV star V ex-IRA warlord: the international view on #Aras11

Here’s what the world’s media is saying about the pop star, poet, reality-TV star, ex-IRA chief and gay-rights crusader vying to be the next President of Ireland.

DESPITE IT BEING for a merely symbolic and ambassadorial role, the Irish presidential election has garnered much attention from the international media.

This interest comes not because of the perceived importance of the post on the world stage but because of the “motley crew” of candidates, as it is described by the Washington Times.

Across the globe Martin McGuinness is grabbing the headlines for his IRA past, while Seán Gallagher is getting attention for his reality-TV background.

Reuters reports the election as a contest pitting a “former guerrilla commander” against a television star and politician-turned-poet (Michael D. Higgins).

The news agency claims that McGuinness’s candidacy shook up the “dull race” but adds that although he is unlikely to win,  running gave a “fillip to his party…and its campaign for a united Ireland”.

Al Jazeera also leads with McGuinness – with a headline reading “IRA commander eyes presidency”. The Middle East news agency says that he is still suffering a “hostile media” and a public unwilling to forgive.

The Washington Post describes the Sinn Féin candidate as a “former Irish Republican Army warlord”. It also depicts David Norris as Ireland’s “top gay-rights crusader”.

Seán Gallagher is called a “bagman – a collector of undisclosed and potentially corrupt donations – for Fianna Fáil” in the same article.

However, the New York Times lends a different angle, stating that the Sinn Féin candidate’s estimated 15 per cent support is a sign of the “winds of reconciliation” blowing across the island.

In England, The Independent writes that the result of the election could hinge on one world – “envelope”. It says that Gallagher has experienced a “meteoric plunge” in the past few days since envelope-gate.

Bloomberg also focuses on how Gallagher handled the questions about his Fianna Fáil links on the Frontline debate on Monday.

The race is tight. Gallagher opened a lead over Higgins by focusing on the post’s potential to reduce unemployment. The entrepreneur’s prospects then dimmed after he came under attack in a televised debate on Oct. 24 over his links with Fianna Fail, the party that presided over the collapse of the economy and loss of financial sovereignty.

Quite poetically, TIME describes the Irish president as the representation of the “Soul of Ireland”. Genevieve Carbery’s article places more significance on the role because Ireland’s reputation has recently taken a beating on the international stage.

The next President will have to fix a reputation left in tatters by a financial meltdown and the low morale from a humiliating EU-IMF bailout and 14 per cent unemployment,” she writes.

An op-ed in the The Australian dismisses the candidates altogether, with foreign editor Greg Sheridan suggesting that electing a non-political figure is a contradiction in terms.

This Irish presidential campaign has amply demonstrated that. It has been bitter, scandal plagued, personal, vituperative. The candidates are generally second rate, some achieving fame in part by regular appearance on television shows. The squalid quality of this campaign will discourage the best of Ireland from running for the office in future.”

More: Polls open across the country for Áras and referendums>

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33 Comments
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    Mute Bazza
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    Oct 27th 2011, 1:19 PM

    They seemed to cop-on to Fianna Fail Gallagher quicker than a lot of people in Ireland did.

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    Mute Fiachra Bonner
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    Oct 27th 2011, 1:31 PM

    Should your bit from Reuters not have “television star” in quotes too? Before this election all he was to me was the big baldy cavan lad on the telly, not really a star :)

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    Mute Graham Julie
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    Oct 27th 2011, 7:37 PM

    With name calling like that, is it any wonder the image of the candidates isn’t great?

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    Mute John Murphy
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    Oct 27th 2011, 1:31 PM

    This is probably the most important aspect of the role of President – international reputation and perception of the country regarding our ability to select someone who has a suitable persona, character and background.
    Our international standing with regard to the election of parliamentary candidates is pretty dismal.

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    Mute Diarmuid Donoghue
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    Oct 27th 2011, 4:16 PM

    True, and not one was shown in good light by media outside of ireland. Would mary not stand for another term?

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    Mute Joe McDermott
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    Oct 27th 2011, 1:31 PM

    “the squalid quality of the campaign” they got that bit right anyway. Any real decent potential future president wouldn go within an ass’s roar of that post now.

    55
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    Mute Trevor O' Sullivan
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    Oct 27th 2011, 2:01 PM

    Why the journal is the best site online – great piece – very interesting to get national reaction – you’re irelands huffington post ~ continued success

    53
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    Mute Trevor O' Sullivan
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    Oct 27th 2011, 2:02 PM

    International reaction I should say – national reaction was not as perceptive to Gallagher

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    Mute daniel brady
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    Oct 27th 2011, 5:14 PM

    But I love the Journal and hate the HuffPo…

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    Mute Strongbow62
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    Oct 28th 2011, 7:03 AM

    While its obvious McGuinness won’t win I think he will do better than most people believe. Out of the motley crew that were offered M.D. Looks the people choice.

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    Mute Michelle Geraghty
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    Oct 27th 2011, 2:00 PM

    As John said above, “This is probably the most important aspect of the role of President – international reputation and perception of the country..” On the basis of this alone, it seems clear Michael D is the man for the job – the others are clearly not viewed as serious contenders. They’re clutching at straws if the only ‘negative’ thing they can say about MDH is that he’s a politician turned poet. As if having a creative and cultural core with a political CV the length of your arm is a bad thing for a Presidential candidate. Mmmm….
    MDH has dignity and integrity written all over him. He’s an amazing debator/orator; he knows what the role entails more than any other in the race and I have no doubt the majority will be proud to call him our President. Whoever you vote for, just get out and vote today. We should not take this right for granted and should be honoured to have the opportunity.

    52
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    Mute Declan Ryan
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    Oct 28th 2011, 8:58 PM

    Very true Michelle Michael d is the only cAnditate with any decent moralistic standpoint,

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    Mute John Marshall
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    Oct 27th 2011, 1:42 PM

    Thanks for this. They’re very good articles. I only wish the Australian one didn’t make the best point.

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    Mute conoraleckelly
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    Oct 27th 2011, 2:50 PM

    Agree, great article here from Jounrnal.ie

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    Mute The Baxter
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    Oct 27th 2011, 5:26 PM

    I agree Brilliant article
    Very interesting
    Thanks

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    Mute Martin Jordan
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    Oct 27th 2011, 4:02 PM

    There should’ve been a referendum today to extend the term of the presidency and then leave Mary in the Aras !

    42
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    Mute Stephen Brennan
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    Oct 27th 2011, 6:56 PM

    Really?! Why? I was always aware that she was there, but as to what she was doing and why she deserved an uncontested 2nd term was quite beyond me.

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    Mute Joe Sixtwo
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    Oct 27th 2011, 3:45 PM

    The only way to reduce Croynism and corruption is to expose it. I believe that a lot has been learned by this election and many positives can be drawn from it in the long term.

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    Mute Ryan Murphy
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    Oct 27th 2011, 10:04 PM

    That’s right Joe. I reckon any negativities that were thrown up were a reflection on the candidates, rather than on the media, which is actually doing its job these days.

    The bitching about “negative campaigning” is prevalent only from those with something to lose from factual reportage-take “envelopes” Gallagher as an example, an overly coached (“glad to be here”, “I’m happy to answer that”, “entrapranoo-er, yewt woaker,”) with limited intelligence, no foresight or political aptitude, who wouldn’t even get on the ticket in more enlightened climes.

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    Mute Réada Quinn
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    Oct 27th 2011, 11:21 PM

    Agreed joe

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    Mute william winkell
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    Oct 27th 2011, 10:54 PM

    Had to vote for Michael D to stop the bag man getting elected. Wanted to vote for mcguinness because he represents hope. Hope for all the worlds’ conflict zones that violence can cease and peace can prosper. Sure the IRA did commit terrible acts but he played a major role in ending the killing. He even became best buddies with paisley. I think John Lennon would have liked that! Imagine

    22
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    Mute Brian Ward
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    Oct 27th 2011, 5:49 PM

    Perhaps the WP would want to look at the politicians in their own country before they criticize other countries! People in glasshouses…….

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    Mute John P. Kavanagh
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    Oct 27th 2011, 7:32 PM

    The WP is correct, McGuinness is a member of a terrorist/politician party, Gallagher is keeping the FF/brown envelopes era going, Norris is a Gay rights crusader, Dana, who cares. I have the unfortunate luck to have to vote for for one of these wanna be’s.

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    Mute Mark Andrew Salmon
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    Oct 27th 2011, 3:03 PM

    Quite interesting from Time the idea that the President represents the soul of Ireland. As far as I can see none of the present candidates do that. Not one of them is qualified to represent the sense of betrayal, pain, hope, humour, realism and romance that is the modern Irish soul in 2011. They all represent an Ireland of the past. They are no more than the ashes of previous generations, the ghosts of former times. Their Ireland is the Ireland of deadly conflict, elitism, brown envelopes, golden circles, clerical child abuse and theocracy. What we needed was a president of a New Ireland, what we got are the Emperor’s new clothes.

    19
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    Mute Donncha Foley
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    Oct 27th 2011, 3:11 PM

    Who is then? Your pedestal seems pretty high- would the perfect person please stand on it – bring your climbing gear though!

    32
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    Mute The Baxter
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    Oct 27th 2011, 5:39 PM

    Where is this country that the WP describes these people

    The Washington Post describes the Sinn Féin candidate as a “former Irish Republican Army warlord”. It also depicts David Norris as Ireland’s “top gay-rights crusader”.

    Seán Gallagher is called a “bagman – a collector of undisclosed and potentially corrupt donations – for Fianna Fáil” in the same article.

    Sounds like Afghanistan or Pakisitan or Banana Republic

    No offence ment to the good citizens of any of the above countries

    16
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    Mute Brianán Mc Bride
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    Oct 27th 2011, 8:40 PM

    I reckon there was such a poor turn out of voters was because the whole election was a farce and a very dirty campaign. The slips for judges pay and the constitution where very confusing, reminded me of how the Government tried to confuse people on the Lisbon Treaty and the lies they told. I wonder if the majority vote no on the constitution will they have another election. I voted no and I voted no twice on the Lisbon Treaty

    14
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    Mute FF4Sean
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    Oct 27th 2011, 5:35 PM

    Reality tv star?? Those muppets shld of done there research! Sean is a sucesful entrepenaire, a youth worker, a comunity worker, a judo specilist and loads of other things! D best candidate by far! D rest of them r only eejits!!

    14
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    Mute The Baxter
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    Oct 27th 2011, 5:51 PM

    FF4Sean
    I agree with you . your right is all of this and LOADS OF OTHER THINGS….LOL

    PS you left out the word JOKE between the words best and candidate

    31
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    Mute Sean McNally
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    Oct 27th 2011, 6:24 PM

    Why u spk txtese? Sean Gallagher is not a successful entrepreneur. He is a successful getter of grants. I do agree with you, however, that he is ‘loads of other things’.

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    Mute Ken Fallon
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    Oct 27th 2011, 8:53 PM

    Dose eejits is rite!!!! Sean iz sucsessful biznizman, a joodo master and loads of udder tings…yes D best candeedate bye farrrr….

    17
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    Mute Joan Featherstone
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    Oct 27th 2011, 9:10 PM

    The WP are sooo right, the rubbish turnout backs this up, not a credible candidate on the ballot paper. That’s my opinion and I’m entitled to it, you don’t have to agree, just saying that before I get loads of thumbs down etc….

    13
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    Mute Mark Rodgers
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    Oct 28th 2011, 12:37 AM

    Dear Joan
    Just a little history lesson. When a turnout is low there is a considerable danger that extreme candidates can get elected because their campaigners will always vote. This is exactly how Mr. hitler came to power. So stop being such a silly silly person and complete your societal obligations….or keep your views to yourself.

    8
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