I’d expand on that a little; I’d say that there are few entrepreneurs who haven’t both succeeded and failed.
I don’t think Gallagher is anywhere near the calibre of Mary McAleese or Mary Robinson but he’s probably better than any of the alternatives. It’s a shame that after a general election where I didn’t want any party in power I now have to vote in a Presidential election where I don’t want any of the candidates to win.
Here’s my view of the choices:
Dana – Christian right, Socially Conservative anti-EU. Not credible as a candidate. No pluses.
McGuiness – Former(?) IRA, represents a party that didn’t recognise our government as legitimate until recently. Very strongly far Left. Internationally will be seen as a former terrorist who supports current terrorists. On the plus side does have a story to tell in being a key figure in the peace process.
Mitchell – Unremarkable political career. No charisma and no charm. Bland in the extreme but would be competent and wouldn’t cause any problems.
Davis – Seems to rub people the wrong way. Comes across as an opportunist. Hard to see the upside.
Norris – Way too many skeletons in the closet, way too many unanswered questions. A loose cannon who couldn’t help using the office as a vehicle to forward his own agenda. Has shown very bad judgement in the past. Internationally would be seen as strongly anti-Israeli and anti-American.
Higgins – probably one of the most intellectually gifted men Ireland has ever produced. He knows just about everything about everything and has experience in just about every facet of life... at least that’s what he seems to think himself. Comes across as smug and arrogant. Will be seen internationally as anti-American.
On the positive side he does understand what the job entails and he has the experience to do the job properly. I don’t see him being a career politician as being a bad thing. While I disagree with some of his views is it unquestionable that he has dedicated his life to public service.
Gallagher – No experience and no real track record. The talk of being a President for job creation is nonsense. The stories about his business history are not worth talking about. They may seem like issues for people who have never set up or run a business (i.e. Labour Party supporters) but taking out a directors loan and repaying it as soon as your accountant tells you that you shouldn’t have done it is no big deal. Getting grants to set up and/or expand a business is also not a crime. Some may see attempts to create jobs as a good thing.
He’ll probably not make a balls of things but he’ll hardly go down in the history books as one of the countries greats.
He’s in the lead because he’s a clean vote for FF supporters and floating voters dislike his less than any of the rest.
It’s amazing that he’s doing so well despite the best efforts of the Labour Parties pamphlet (the Irish Times) and their TV station (RTE), not to mention the Indo (FG’s newspaper).