The race for the Irish presidency is hotting up, in that people are getting nominations to get onto the ballot, and so on.

The presidency itself is a rather mundane role that involves bringing other heads of state (POTUS and the Queen, most recently and notably) around. Like a high-paid chaperone (€320,000 or so).

When David Norris threw his hat into the ring, I was skeptical of him being president but his nomination would likely be what I would vote for. Why? Because he actually might have an agenda that pushes real human issues forward, rather than sit back and do what he’s told by the government. My skeptical streak crops in because I’m not a fan of the second house of the Irish government (kind of like the UK’s house of lords). I think it’s an excessive waste of public money that could be spent on education, hospitals and, you know, things that truly benefit the people of the nation. Instead we just have an expensive place for more politicians to go.

The story so far with Norris is that he was looking good to get a nomination in a highly public campaign to get onto the ballot. Then lots of his staff left very quickly. It turns out the reason behind this is that he abused his position in Irish politics to help free a friend of his from child sexual abuse charges in another country. Then, rightly so, he pulled out of the campaign.

At that moment I decided if he ever went for election where I can vote for him, I would vote against him.

Now it appears Norris is back. Even today he’s going to a meeting of independent political minds where he’s expected to throw his hat back into the ring. Keeping in line with my opposition of him, I’ll be exercising my rights to vote against him. In fact, I’m so disillusioned with the runners (so far) that I might even just spoil the damn thing and vote for President Bartlet.

Why wouldn’t I vote for Norris?

First and foremost he abused his position in political life to try and get a pardon for someone found guilty of committing a heinous crime. Requesting clemency of a man convicted of rape of a 15 year old is an abuse of power and morally wrong. Why do we want a morally corrupt president? This is also the third time he’s been surrounded in morally ambiguous scenarios like this.

Second, his defensive tact on what he had done wasn’t so much remorseful as it was him claiming he was foolish. Foolish? Criminal, more like.

The other problem is his political will. He removed his candidacy voluntarily (though there is an argument to say it was anything but voluntary) and now wants to return to the race. It’s almost like he let the dust settle before coming back, and he still hasn’t addressed the issue head-on. His flip-flopping on whether or not he wants the job in the first place is indicative of someone who shouldn’t reside in a public position where his power can dictate law reform.

Having said all of that I do think he should go on the ballot. A rather vocal number of people have said they would lend his support and despite his criminal acts and elect him as president. As such, the will of the people should be exercised and people should be allowed to vote for him if they wish.