The President has become the head of civic society in Ireland, Mr Derek Nally observed on Pat Kenny's radio programme yesterday, while the Taoiseach is the head of political society. It is an interesting perspective and it may constitute the nearest thing to fresh thinking to have emerged so far from any of the candidates in the presidential campaign.
By and large that campaign has been a pedestrian process. The candidates of the two larger parties, Ms Mary Banotti and Professor Mary McAleese, have stuck to safe, cautious tactics, dampening down the natural ebullience which they both have in plenty. Ms Adi Roche has been reined in by her handlers but their grooming and briefing have not nearly compensated for her lack of focus and coherence. Dana Rosemary Scallan sets out her position with clarity, charm and a professional communicator's polish. But it is doubtful if she is connecting outside a relatively small constituency of like-minded supporters.
Mr Nally is the enigma of the story so far. If Professor McAleese refuses to be stereotyped, Mr Nally does so a fortiori. He is a remarkable composition of radical and conservative, of simplicity and sophistication, of innovative thinking and plain speaking. He believes in essential virtues - patriotism, honesty, justice, compassion - and at the same time declares himself firmly committed to the rule of law. He is passionate in his concern for the victims of crime but does not run with the hang-`em-and-flog-`em brigade. He sees the roots of crime in poverty and inequality. And he believes in speaking out when someone has to put a name on corruption or the abuse of power.
Yesterday on radio he rehearsed his encounters as a Garda representative with those who saw the national police service as their own property and believed they could act accordingly. He told a searingly honest tale which will have resonated with many a citizen who came to understand over the years that in many public transactions in this State what really mattered was one's connections and one's politics.
It remains to be seen what appeal Mr Nally will have for the voters. In an increasingly urbanised society a candidate who is so strongly redolent of a rural culture faces an uphill struggle. It would be regrettable if the voters - especially the young - did not take the trouble to look behind the stolid image. If they do, it is possible that he may strike a chord with many who believe that the presidency, having been taken from the politicians, should not be returned to them and who see the party candidates as rather transparent attempts to clone the Robinson appeal. In seeking to redefine the presidency almost as a social or civic office, rather than a political one, Mr Nally has not only articulated a vision out of his own experience. He has also chosen his campaign ground carefully and cleverly.