"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. Read more from Fionnán Sheahan here..."
Yet again, the presidential contest proved fascinating and an endurance test for those seeking the Head of State. Candidates were historically warned against declaring too early because pitches would be picked apart during the "silly season." Connolly defied that notion and displayed perseverance to remain in the race. Sinn Féin's decision to back her instead of running its own candidate effectively handed her the entire left-hand side of the political spectrum. Connolly created space and emerged as a credible flag-carrier for the left. Fine Gael's first-choice candidate Mairead McGuinness withdrew on health grounds. Fianna Fáil nominated political neophyte Jim Gavin, who failed to last the pace.
Read at Irish Independent
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