Race to the Aras: Neutrality and anti-immigrant flags dominate as first presidential TV debate in full swing

"Rather than expecting a major twist, the best we can hope for from tonight's first presidential debate is that it will finally give a sense of what this campaign is all about, Mary Regan writes Unlike debates in more recent elections, which were somewhat crowded affairs, tonight's will have just three candidates, which means a greater spotlight on each individual."

"Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin will be under most pressure. Despite being the celebrity candidate, as someone with no political record who is best known for being a GAA manager, his campaign has so far failed to capture the imagination. For Heather Humphreys, the main task is to stay out of trouble. Catherine Connolly is well used to airing her positions but those views will have a fully captive television audience tonight, so there will be a greater sense of how they are going down with the wider public."

The first presidential debate features only three candidates, producing a tighter spotlight on each individual. Jim Gavin faces the most pressure because he is a celebrity candidate with no prior political record and is best known as a GAA manager; his campaign has not yet captured widespread imagination. Heather Humphreys must focus on avoiding missteps and staying out of trouble. Catherine Connolly routinely airs strong positions, and a televised, captive audience will reveal how those positions land with the broader public. The debate should therefore clarify campaign dynamics rather than produce any major surprises.

Read at Irish Independent