2011 Presidential Election Exit Poll

Sully

Sully wrote: »

lol what social beliefs and how would his social beliefs make any difference to the President?

Some people have weird views of what the President can and cant do - even candidates themselves!

My comment was tongue-in-cheek. I don't know how out of everything in this thread you felt the need to tie my comment to not understanding what the role of the president is. I'm a student of politics - literally.

Johnny_Fontane

incredible that mcguinness cant actually vote because he holds a british passport....

the irony of all ironies

Bannasidhe

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

incredible that mcguinness cant actually vote because he holds a british passport....

the irony of all ironies

He holds an Irish passport - he is entitled to a British one should he desire (my guess is he doesn't desire ) . He can't vote because he is not resident in the State -same as every other Irish citizen who doesn't live in the Republic.

yuppies

I put a bet on at 66/1 that Higgins would get the most first preferences followed by Norris; anybody think this might happen?

Fluorescence

yuppies wrote: »

I put a bet on at 66/1 that Higgins would get the most first preferences followed by Norris; anybody think this might happen?

Fair chance Gallagher might mop up enough first preferences to come 2nd, for unfathomable reasons.

Gave Micky D number 1, David Norris number 2 and the rest of them got a lollipop for trying.

FreudianSlippers

1. Norris
2. Higgins

MidlandsM

Permabear wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

I'd call it B.S.:rolleyes:

cardwizzard

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

incredible that mcguinness cant actually vote because he holds a british passport....

Lies.

Johnny_Fontane

'since when did the actual truth matter'- hugh morgan?

Sunnyisland

As its the presidential election in which the winner has no real power this is the vote of the realies.

MMG 1
MD 2
Dana 3
DN 4
MDH 5


I also voted no in the two referendums

Di0genes

Permabear wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

Christ. A genuine Ayn Rand fan.

markesmith

Permabear wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

I really hope that opinions like this don't prevail, but I fear the worst...

Plazaman

I'd be interested to hear from the 3 people as to why they went to the polling station but didn't vote in the Presidential Election. Absolutely well within their rights to do so just interested in hearing the reason(s).

It's a strange thing that some people believe (mainly amongst the older generation) that they are obliged to take the 3 papers to vote today. At any election where there are 2 votes or more you can always opt not to take a ballot paper unless you want to get a bit of craic out of the day and spoil it.

My time as a Poll Clerk (fado fado) has given me great and useless knowledge of election procedures. I struggle to sit for a 10 hour day, fair play to those who have to put in 14 hours today.

maryd26

sugerbabev wrote: »

can anybody tell me where holy cross boys school in mahon is? i have to vote there but no idea where it is as just moved to area. i live on aldi side of blackrock. much obliged if anyone can advise me thanks

Pretty sure that the national school is on Avenue de Rennes in Mahon. If you don't know the road just check it on Google maps. Hope this is right!

smokingman

1- Norris
2 - Higgins

I voted Norris because the possibility of the pope kissing the ground in front of a gay man when he arrives next year puts a smile on my face.

Lame Lantern

Gallagher getting 15% in a good ol' belligerent boards.ie poll bodes well for him. If he can find that level of appeal amongst screamy internet types his appeal is probably still very buoyant amongst the mainstream.

I went Norris/Higgins for the record.

geetar

seamus wrote: »

No. A spoilt vote is usually one where someone's preference cannot be determined. Such as putting down two 1's or an X in two boxes. In the above instance, the first preference goes to Norris, transfers to Higgins and after that is discarded.

maybe your line down the middle could be seen a 5 "1's" in a very straight line.... :pac:

Wallflower

Plazaman wrote: »

I'd be interested to hear from the 3 people as to why they went to the polling station but didn't vote in the Presidential Election. Absolutely well within their rights to do so just interested in hearing the reason(s).

The issue I have by not voting is that in many respects, by default if you like, you have given a tacit vote to the winner.

In a subtle way, not voting isn't totally a disengagement from an election.

cornbb

1. Higgins
2. Norris

Based on what I've seen in this thread (and I know its unfortunately not representative) I wonder if there will be huge transfers between the two?

Wallflower

cornbb wrote: »

1. Higgins
2. Norris

Based on what I've seen in this thread (and I know its unfortunately not representative) I wonder if there will be huge transfers between the two?

I voted 1-6 (excluded Gallagher) - same 1 and 2 as you.

I'd expect a lot of transfers between Higgins and Norris; and if the polls are to be believed Higgins will need as many as he can get from Norris.

Related to this, I agree with a previous poster who reckoned if Gallagher lost votes many might go to Norris - I suspect this will be the case

Ash.J.Williams

Permabear wrote: »

This post had been deleted.

If you are not voting, your opinion is quite useless in this thread.

pablomakaveli

1-Higgins
2-Norris
3-Gallagher

Godofhellfire

I voted for Norris 1 but I think Higgins is looking good for it.

I have a bet on with my friend on who will come last though! Photoshop Mary or Delusional Dana!

Wallflower

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

If you are not voting, your opinion is quite useless in this thread.

Bit harsh, as well as incorrect. Though I'm glad he is not in the country to vote for the bagman:).

Views from Irish people abroad are valid and sometimes can give an interesting perspective.

Bristolian

The following is an excellent poem that appeared in the letters page of today's Irish Independent. It is called "Ode to the Presidential Election"

I leant upon a coppice gate

When frost was spectre-grey

And autumn's dregs made desolate the weakening eye of day.

In the distance stood the Aras in presidential bling

And there were seven fillies flying each one braying what they'd bring.

The first to pass the Phoenix fence was a business horse, it seemed He whinnied of ex-yewber-ence And job creation dreams.

"I work with yoooth!" he proudly cried

"And I built my own smart-stable, with a start-up loan FF supplied . . . I'll pay back when I'm able.

"I'm still in place to win this race still leading by a neck

En route, I passed a photo-place And picked up a five-grand cheque!"

I fretted o'er his dragon-breath I saw his muddy hoofs

And asked "Is that from Celtic Tiger theft?"

He said "No, it's just grassroots."

The second mare to hurtle by Was bare above my shoulder

Came descended from the sky

He was old and getting older

"But I'm young in mind!" he said to me "It's younger I am growing

All thanks to this, my cannabis, It keeps my juices flowing!"

He oozed with reams of confidence above all lies and shames just said:

"I'll write you poems 'til cows come home but I never liked champagne."

After these frontrunners

A sterner horse came near

He said, "I'm looking for directions,

I don't often run down here.

Have the other two gone that way?"

And his eyes lit up with cunning --

"I've an ambush set, they'll soon regret They ever thought of running"

I asked about his history

What all the stories meant

But he just pointed with his hoof

And said "that's quite irrelevant"

"But Sir," I said, "with great respect, there's things we need to know!"

Two horses stepped out from the shadows

So I let the matter go.

No sooner had that horsey broke Into a northern canter

Than a fine flamboyant stallion appeared in blazing banter.

"Well can I say, with great aplomb, I'd dropped out of this race -- but it seems you all adore me so I thought I'd show my face."

He tossed his hair and bowed his head Inscripted on his mane

Was a mass of many signatures, a thousand different names!

He trotted off with elegance

Swished his silky tail

And said, "When all around are throwing mud,

Humour shall prevail."

I stood awhile and thought I'd met all horses out that day

But just as I had given up

Three others came my way

The first was dressed up to the nines From her hoofs up to her nose

I said, "My goodness, you're an airbrushedhorse!

I've never met one of those!

But our meeting was abruptly spoiled A horse came barging by

Shouting something about his "impact"

And that he'd grown up in hard times

While I marvelled at this petulance

And his lack of self-control

A dainty little fillie

At the bottom of the polls

Fixed me with a mournful look And wistfully she sighed --

"My hoofs have just backfired --

I really could have died

But thankfully I saved my book That holds all life's solutions"

And from her Derry mane she shook:

The Irish Constitution.

Patrick O'Laoghaire

Malahide, Co Dublin


I particularly liked the lines on Higgins:

"He was old and getting older

"But I'm young in mind!" he said to me "It's younger I am growing

All thanks to this, my cannabis, It keeps my juices flowing!"

He oozed with reams of confidence above all lies and shames just said:

"I'll write you poems 'til cows come home but I never liked champagne."

And in a humorous way he gets across the deeply sinister nature of the McGuiness/Sinn Fein/IRA campaign.

Number 1 for Gallagher, 2 for Dana, 3 for Davis and 4 for Mitchell.

Judging by the comments here most people want to be ruled by a mix of uber-liberal, anti-American, socialist/terrorists and when that happens we are finished. Imagine if Labour(on their own) or Sinn Fein/IRA where in power at the moment. You could multiply our crises by 10.

trevor21

I voted 1) Sean Gallagher 2) Norris 3) MD Higgins 4) Dana 5) Davis 6) McGuiness 7) The Devil or Gay Mitchell. Can not believe the turn around on Gallagher, he was only collecting money for them.
I used to collect money for Concern (fast at Christmas) and handed the money over the the bugger'ers in the Catholic Church where 20% goes to the vatican. Should I be tranished with the same brush?
P.S Michael D is to old and small for this job people.

cardwizzard

trevor21 wrote: »

I voted 1) Sean Gallagher 2) Norris 3) MD Higgins 4) Dana 5) Davis 6) McGuiness 7) The Devil or Gay Mitchell. Can not believe the turn around on Gallagher, he was only collecting money for them.
I used to collect money for Concern (fast at Christmas) and handed the money over the the bugger'ers in the Catholic Church where 20% goes to the vatican. Should I be tranished with the same brush?
P.S Michael D is to old and small for this job people.

Nice first post, welcome Seany.

Colonel Sanders

Gay Mitchell 1
Michael D 2

that is all....

MidlandsM

trevor21 wrote: »

I voted 1) Sean Gallagher 2) Norris 3) MD Higgins 4) Dana 5) Davis 6) McGuiness 7) The Devil or Gay Mitchell. Can not believe the turn around on Gallagher, he was only collecting money for them.
I used to collect money for Concern (fast at Christmas) and handed the money over the the bugger'ers in the Catholic Church where 20% goes to the vatican. Should I be tranished with the same brush?
P.S Michael D is to old and small for this job people.

what about his dodgy company accounts? Does that mean nothing?

mikom

"The chances of any shills coming from Mars are a million to one - but they still
come!"

Eliot Rosewater

1. Higgins
2. Mitchell
3. Gallagher
4. Davis
5. Norris
6. Dana

Had reasons for these typed up but Internet Explorer 9 on a new Windows 7 installation crashed, as Microsoft products are wont to do ...

jprender

1. Higgins


No point going beyond this in my opinion.

Bristolian

It's worth posting another letter from today's Independent to remind those who think Higgins is harmless of the danger he could do our economy at this sensitive time:

The importance of foreign direct investment from the United States into our country cannot be overstated.

It is a massive and irreplaceable source of employment for our people, a generator of much of our exports and a major contributor to our national exchequer.

For this reason, I must express my deep reservation about the prospect of the socialist Michael D Higgins becoming our next head of state and chief national representative.

Mr Higgins, worryingly, has a long and dedicated track record of anti-Americanism.

Over his long career, there has hardly been an anti-American cause to which Michael D Higgins has not offered his support.

By contrast, Ireland has had no greater friend in the world than the US.

In 2010, for example, US investment in Ireland amounted to 131,000 thousand million euro, on a per-head basis this amounts to €40,000 per Irish citizen.

The disproportionately favourable levels of friendly US investment in our country is what allows Ireland to pay its way in the world.

In this time of exceptional uncertainty, our very friendly transatlantic relationship is Ireland's trump card.

We must reassure the United States that Ireland is her eternal ally and supporter.

Given that one's pattern of past behaviour is a powerful indicator of one's likely future behaviour (in Mr Higgins' case, a pattern stretching over several decades), it would be naive to think that Mr Higgins's pattern of anti-Americanism would change markedly if he were to hold the highest office in the land.

John B Reid

Not a finger laid on him in this campaign. The obvious candidate of our left wing biased media. Anytime he was even remotely challenged on anything his sweet persona dropped and he was as vicious as a viper. Voter beware!

Liam Byrne

Bristolian wrote: »

It's worth posting another letter from today's Independent to remind those who think Higgins is harmless of the danger he could do our economy at this sensitive time:

Who is "John B Reid' and why is his opinion more valid than that of anyone here ?

PaoloDublin

Michael D for me

Gallagher will get the closet FF vote

Godofhellfire

I'm following the voters turnout on the rte twitter site and turnout seems to be low, about 23% but I hope it grows now when people get out of work and so on.

Wallflower

Bristolian wrote: »

Judging by the comments here most people want to be ruled by a mix of uber-liberal, anti-American, socialist/terrorists and when that happens we are finished. Imagine if Labour(on their own) or Sinn Fein/IRA where in power at the moment. You could multiply our crises by 10.

A tad over the top, I think;). Calm down.

Crazy Horse 6

trevor21 wrote: »

I voted 1) Sean Gallagher 2) Norris 3) MD Higgins 4) Dana 5) Davis 6) McGuiness 7) The Devil or Gay Mitchell. Can not believe the turn around on Gallagher, he was only collecting money for them.
I used to collect money for Concern (fast at Christmas) and handed the money over the the bugger'ers in the Catholic Church where 20% goes to the vatican. Should I be tranished with the same brush?
P.S Michael D is to old and small for this job people.

He was a cog in a machine that bankrupted the nation and meant members of my family had to leave this country in order to find jobs. I for one will never forget that.

cardwizzard

Crazy Horse 6 wrote: »

He was a cog in a machine that bankrupted the nation and meant members of my family had to leave this country in order to find jobs. I for one will never forget that.

Well put. A lot of people are going through this at the moment. Sickening.

stimpson

1. Dana






















* only joking. I voted for Kodos

monkeybutter

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

1. Higgins
2. Mitchell
3. Gallagher
4. Davis
5. Norris
6. Dana

Had reasons for these typed up but Internet Explorer 9 on a new Windows 7 installation crashed, as Microsoft products are wont to do ...

Yeah no other software has ever crash except Microsoft software, ever

delos

Bristolian wrote: »

In 2010, for example, US investment in Ireland amounted to 131,000 thousand million euro, on a per-head basis this amounts to €40,000 per Irish citizen.

Something seriously wrong with those numbers :eek:

Here was me thinking they were here becuase of the tax set up and it turns out it's because we only ever say nice things abouit them :rolleyes:

dav3

Bristolian wrote: »

John B Reid

Whoa, stop the press, John B Reid has something to say. Who?...exactly.

You're a bit late to the party Bristol.

Galwayguy35

1. McGuinness
2. Higgins
3. Davis

As for the rest of them a big fat zero

Sunnyisland

Bristolian wrote: »

Judging by the comments here most people want to be ruled by a mix of uber-liberal, anti-American, socialist/terrorists and when that happens we are finished. Imagine if Labour(on their own) or Sinn Fein/IRA where in power at the moment. You could multiply our crises by 10.

Its the presidential election of Ireland not a North Korean get together.

sandmanporto

Spoiled my vote

Bannasidhe

Bristolian wrote: »

Judging by the comments here most people want to be ruled by a mix of uber-liberal, anti-American, socialist/terrorists and when that happens we are finished. Imagine if Labour(on their own) or Sinn Fein/IRA where in power at the moment. You could multiply our crises by 10.

Could you clarify the highlighted bit please - are all socialists also terrorists (is there something we need to know about Joe Higgins? :eek:) and/or all terrorists also socialists? Did Bin Laden know that?????

Also are uber-Liberal Americans anti-American?...actually, I imagine in your world view they are...welcome to boards Senator Joseph McCarthy, we have a possible amendment to our Constitution that will be right down your 'in-the-public-interest' dark alley.

My name is URL

1. - Martin McGuinness
2. - David Norris
3. - Michael D. Higgins

cornbb

Bristolian wrote: »

It's worth posting another letter from today's Independent to remind those who think Higgins is harmless of the danger he could do our economy at this sensitive time

Firstly, speaking out against the uglier aspects of American foreign policy is not the same thing as being anti-American. Plenty of proud Americans have negative things to say about their own country. Secondly, American companies won't give a toss about our president's views. They only care about tax breaks, employment law, access to EU markets, an educated, English-speaking population etc. If the US didn't do business with countries that criticised them how many countries you you reckon they could do business with?

Michael D's ability and willingness to speak up against wrong is one of his strongest attributes. Too many governments here have chickened out and turned a blind eye.

Not a finger laid on him in this campaign. The obvious candidate of our left wing biased media.

Or could it possibly be that because he has been a prominent member of public life here for decades, any possible skeletons in his closet would have long been turfed out by now?

If you could "lay a finger" on him for anything (besides his "left"-leaning opinions, which he wears on his sleeve), what would they be?

KnifeWRENCH

#1 Norris
#2 Higgins
And even though they're the only two I think deserve it, I went down as far as 6:

#3 McGuinness
#4 Davis
#5 Dana
#6 Gallagher
And I wouldn't even dignify Gay Mitchell by giving him a 7, so left his box blank.