Re-entry David Norris (politician)

david norris confirmed re-entry presidential race on late-night appearance on late late show ryan tubridy on 16 september 2011.

despite withdrawing presidential race in july 2011, norris maintained considerable and, in cases, increased public support. poll taken 1 week after norris withdrew presidential race, showed large increase in public support presidency if given choice vote him (topping poll considerable margin) 40 per cent of respondents saying vote norris number 1 in preferential voting electoral system , 50 per cent saying give him vote.

in galway city alone, more 1,000 signatures in support of norris president gathered members of public in 12 hours on weekend of 11 september. there similar result in city of cork. days later, norris presented petition of 10,000 signatures, collected nationwide, want norris campaign outside leinster house. result, norris announced return campaign on irish television talk programme late late show on friday 16 september 2011, though did not reveal precise number of signatures belonging tds , senators had secured. sunday independent/millward brown lansdowne opinion poll published on 18 september showed high amount of popular support senator david norris of 34 per cent.

despite attempts, norris didn t receive sufficient support oireachtas members gain nomination, having been nominated 18 members, 2 short of minimum number of 20. however, received nomination 4 county councils (fingal, laois, waterford , dublin city), sufficient gain nomination. assisted rival, labour party candidate michael d. higgins, urged party colleagues on dublin city council allow norris onto ticket in interests of democracy. when norris heard on radio instructed driver stop car phone higgins express appreciation.

according irish times norris had 4 times many followers on twitter of other candidates of 30 september.

in first debate, held on rtÉ radio 1 s news @ one, norris promised electorate have no difficulty in either visiting israel or in meeting pope benedict xvi president of ireland. speaking after disclosure of various fees received rivals mary davis , seán gallagher after appointed state , commercial boards, norris confirmed had no stocks or shares name , not company director. norris launched campaign @ dublin writers museum on 5 october 2011.

he came fifth (of 7 candidates) in election receiving 109,469 (6.2%) first preference votes.