"Never mind the talk about this being a boring presidential election. Yet again, this was a fascinating contest and an endurance test for those who sought to become our Head of State. From previous elections, there was an adage that candidates shouldn't declare too early as their pitch would be picked apart during the silly season. Connolly has defied that notion."
"She displayed a lot of perseverance to stick with the task. Sinn Féin backing her instead of running its own candidate handed her the entire left-hand side of the political spectrum. Connolly had created the space though and was a credible flag-carrier for the left. It's not her fault that Fine Gael's first-choice candidate Mairead McGuinness decided to drop out on health grounds. Nor was it her concern that Fianna Fáil decided to pick a political neophyte in Jim Gavin who didn't last the pace."
Connolly persevered through a prolonged presidential contest and withstood the risks associated with early declaration. Sinn Féin backed her instead of fielding its own candidate, consolidating the entire left-of-center electorate behind her. She created space for left politics and emerged as a credible flag-carrier for the left. Fine Gael's first-choice candidate Mairead McGuinness withdrew on health grounds. Fianna Fáil selected political newcomer Jim Gavin, who failed to maintain momentum. The election operated as an endurance test for contenders and demonstrated that determination and cross-party support can sustain a viable left-wing presidential challenge.
Read at Irish Independent
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