Confessions of a Political Has-been

I was a politician for six weeks. Someone once said that all political careers end in failure and I wasted no time in fulfilling that requirement. It has been the most exhaustive venture I have ever undertaken - but also my most exciting, fulfilling and educational and I wouldn"t change a thing - apart from the result of course.But even my failure gives me not an ounce of regret, because I did my best.I never have any bother with acceptance and I do not question the will of the people whom I put myself in front of. It was some roller-coaster ride and I"m proud and privileged to have been offered the opportunity for my own people to pass judgement on me. This is an honour few people experience - although the number of times I was asked, 'Are you mad or what?' would indicate that the privilege comes with a price. My brother Bill, who never lost an election in a distinguished political career, told me at the start that I would never have done anything remotely close which would teach me more about myself and show me who my real friends are. He was spot on.I could not have delivered such a performance unless I was certain I would win. All candidates will tell you the same thing. Also, I imagine the other candidates will recount similar experiences - except, of course, the winning or losing at the end. I have rich memories to last a lifetime from my canvass.The first thing I happily report is that, despite all the stress, problems and pace of modern living, Irish people are by and large still friendly, hospitable and courteous when you knock on their door. A candidate leaves himself very vulnerable and exposed when you knock on a door looking for a vote I rang well over a thousand door-bells and I could count on my fingers the number of houses where we were abused or insulted. Mind you, undoubtedly some are so friendly that they tell us what we want to hear, because if I got a vote for every time I was greeted with; 'As long as you are not from Fianna Fail' I would have headed the poll! Instead Westmeath was the only place where the Fianna Fail vote was up by .7%. Westmeath people are obviously happy with the way things are - but I hope our hurlers and footballers will not as easily settle for the status quo in this year"s championships!Canvassing was not new to me, as I had worked for Fine Gael for more than thirty years, but it is very different when it is yourself you are promoting. I know I did it well and the most satisfying aspect was where I knew I won votes where I got talking to people. This is totally aside from the percentage who will tell every candidate they will vote for them. Sometimes you just know when you get them and it is especially satisfying to get a cross-party number one. My extraordinarily popular and excellent opponents managed this in abundance in their own area, but I had my moments too and the text from a lifelong FF man on the day of the election which read; 'Oh God forgive me for what I am about to do' gave me a lift and a welcome laugh. Little things showed the decency in people; like the man who said he would love to vote for me, because he is a fan of my 'Westmeath Examiner' column, but the family always voted Fianna Fail and 'we are too old to change now'. And then the wife asks me 'would I like a cup of tea!!' Another light moment was when a lady"s first response was; 'Your picture looks an awful lot better than you do yourself'; to which I replied; 'Lord, didn"t I make an awful mistake that I didn"t just write to you.'But it was far from sweetness and light on the trail. We came across dreadful family situations affecting children in particular. In the worst cases I felt compelled to do something there and then and I hope I achieved something through the offices of Senator Nicky McFadden and Damien English T.D.I was consumed totally by the election. I woke between 6 and 6.30 every morning and I rarely returned to that bed until 1 am next morning. By 7 am I would have my promotional trailers moved to a new location around the area. Canvassing could start around 10 am. I used two or sometimes three teams in the course of a day. We rarely knocked on a door after 9 pm, as people hate interruptions during the news, or when children are being prepared for bed. Then we had team meetings over gallons of tea and I tried to deal with any other stuff, like writing letters, before I got to bed.My running mate was always at the end of a phone with advice - whatever the hour. It is truly astonishing as to how the adrenalin can keep you fired up with so little sleep for so many weeks. Again, I know I speak for all candidates in this regard. I was latish into the contest and knew I had to work harder in order to make up ground. I knew what I was capable of and when some, who should have known better, dismissed me as a serious candidate I knew they would get their answer. At our first party strategy meeting, I was told that if I got 800 first preference votes I would not be beaten. I got 889 and was!! But this is absolutely nobody"s fault on my side. It is solely down to the calibre of the excellent candidates standing against me.I finished up with the greatest campaign team and the most wonderful group if has ever been my pleasure to work with. They drove me; they cajoled me; they carried me; they stood up for me; but what I shall remember most is how they made me laugh. They were all devastated when we lost and they didn"t tell me by phone: in ones and twos they came to the house the day after, just like a wake - only thank God nobody died - and I have a bond with very special people which will withstand the test of time.In this hard-fought campaign, I don"t know if it were such a good thing that I liked all my opponents. It might have helped if I could think of something bad to say about them - but I couldn"t.I have told you of the good things of being on a canvass, but in fairness, I have to tell you the bad bits as well. It was mostly people who don"t vote who were dismissive or a bit nasty. I tried to get people to vote - no matter how they choose to vote afterwards and I must have got 100 voters onto the supplementary register. If people were unpleasant, it was because they are like that and in most cases was not on my account - at least I hope so! One incident will remain with me, because it is the first time in forty years that I offered my hand to anyone who refused to take it. A lady not far from my house, refused to shake hands with me. To my knowledge I had never met her previously - so I don"t know why. Maybe that was better than the 'friend' who continuously gave me 'good luck' and messages of support, before, during and after - when I can see from the register that his wife went to vote, but he didn"t.If I am asked what was the overall worst part of it all, my answer will probably surprise you. It was not the defeat, or the disappointment of failing those who believed in me. The worst time was the two days after the result when I was down in the dumps and bumped into neighbours I knew all my life and they never even mentioned 'election'. There was I, like a naked man, at low ebb, fatigued and half a stone lighter than last time we spoke.Obviously they had not voted for me - as is their absolute right, but how can people you never had anything but a kind word with not even say; 'Hard luck'; 'You did well'; 'Bet you"re glad it"s over' or 'Maybe you"re better off', instead of expecting you to make small talk and talk s***e for ten minutes?Luckily it wouldn"t be long afterwards until I might meet a warm friendly face and consoling words. Yes; it is the genuine good wishes and heartfelt commiserations which sustained me. Neighbours and friends got in touch and the evening of the count I had 71 most welcome texts on my phone. Like my brother said; 'This time you will know who your real friends are' I do and am eternally grateful to all 889 of them. It was tough going, but I wouldn"t change a minute of it!