And with one, or nineteen*, bounds – he may be back! David Norris, redux.

I’d not put much store in reports of David Norris reentering the race, but so much for my powers of political prediction. For we learn that following his meeting this morning with the Independent TDs and Senators he may be on the point of reentering the Presidential contest.

It is understood that Senator David Norris told Independent TDs in Leinster House this afternoon that he is once again seeking their support to run for the Presidency.
Senator David Norris made no comment after his meeting with TDs in the Dáil Technical Group.

And the Irish Times noted that:

The surprise move comes ahead of an expected appearance on RTÉ’s Late Late Show  tomorrow night where he will be asked about his presidential ambitions.

There’s a couple of points about this that are worth noting. Firstly that Norris believes that he has a whisper of a chance. He may well be right. There’s no question that his candidacy of all to date is the one which most caught at least some spark of imagination amongst the public. How else to explain his consistently high poll ratings both before, and most crucially after, the debacle of his campaign. But where do the numbers come from? His first bid fell asunder in part because three TDs withdrew support for his nomination. Hard to see them changing their minds I would have thought.

But, secondly, it would appear that the Independents, or at least some of them, believe that Norris also has a whisper of a chance. For some of those Independents there’s been a sense of Norris as their great lost opportunity…his candidacy and departure evinced statements from some of our more shy and retiring Independents where other issues haven’t. Finian McGrath’s position in all this is of particular interest. As the man who positioned himself front and centre of the original Norris campaign he had to backtrack sharply – in part due to pressure from members of his own political group in his constituency. I can’t see that pressure diminishing.

Actually looking at McGrath’s words this afternoon… well.. hmmm…

“David made a presentation and then there was a big discussion on the issues and the issues that happened,” Mr McGrath said. “David was very gracious and very magnanimous even with people like myself that he disagreed with. But he asked people for their support because he is considering entering the race again.”

Among the issues raised were the controversial letter Mr Norris wrote to an Israeli court seeking clemency for a former partner facing a charge of statutory rape which led to his withdrawal from the election last month.
….

“I would say there would be some individuals in the room that will support her [Davis],” Mr McGrath said. He said some of the Independents could be faced with a dilemma if approached by an aspiring candidate who was just short of the required 20 signatures of Oireachtas members.

“They mightn’t necessarily agree with somebody but they might sign it to ensure that there is an inclusive election,” he said.

Thirdly one might wonder if the slow drumbeat in the Sunday Independent promoting a Norris candidacy has paid dividends. There’s little more depressing than to see one E. Harris championing Norris, and for obvious, frankly almost stereotypical reasons in terms of how Harris perceives is his signification as regards national issues.

But there are issues. Norris if he reenters the field is not coming back into the rather more congenial environment that he left. The other two independents, Gallagher and Davis, are now safely ensconced and ready to roll. Sinn Féin, playing an absolute blinder in terms of raising their profile by what in any other context would appear like almost heroic proportions of dithering over their candidate are most likely to present a real challenge [not in terms of likelihood of winning but in terms of vote getting] . Though they could square the circle by saying they’re willing to go for Norris – an outcome which I find enormously unlikely.

Obviously no one on this blog is in the slightest position to give advice that will be heeded by Norris, but if I had the opportunity for one thought it would be the following: if there are any skeletons remaining in the cupboard, any at all, get them out there immediately and get past them as best as is feasible.

If he does get back into the race this will present some interesting choices for people – oddly enough I was talking to someone from an LP background today who on hearing the news thought he had a good chance of running away with it. Who knows?

One oddity. Mary Davis, who already has the nod from four local authorities to run met the Independent TDs and Senators as well this morning. I presume that was simply to build more support for her bid, or perhaps a way to try to outflank a revived Norris candidacy. Clever whatever way one cuts it.

Anyhow, whatever else this Presidential campaign hasn’t been dull. And in truth it’s hardly even started yet.

Roll on the Late Late Show, words I have never thought to write or say before.

*Independent TDs [excluding the bould Naughton]… let’s not get into the various Independent Senators…