Editing David Norris (politician) (section)

===2011 presidential campaign===
{{Main|2011 Irish presidential election}}

====Entry====
In March 2011, Norris announced his intention to run in the 2011 Irish presidential election.<ref>{{Cite web |title=David Norris officially begins his Presidential bid at the Science Gallery, Dublin |url=http://www.norrisforpresident.ie/?p=84 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318052509/http://www.norrisforpresident.ie/?p=84 |archive-date=18 March 2011 |access-date=17 May 2021 |website=norrisforpresident.ie}}</ref> [[Facebook]] support for a presidential bid drew comparisons with [[Barack Obama]]'s campaign for the American presidency.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McDonald |first=Henry |date=19 October 2010 |title=Facebook campaign could see Ireland appoint first gay president |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/19/facebook-campaign-ireland-gay-president?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326051143/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/19/facebook-campaign-ireland-gay-president?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |archive-date=26 March 2017 |access-date=11 December 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London}}</ref> Norris topped multiple opinion polls as the person most Irish people would like to see as their next president (with the caveat that these polls were taken before all candidates have declared).<ref name="RTE" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Drennan |first=John |date=3 July 2011 |title=Norris still the people's first choice as President |url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/john-drennan/john-drennan-norris-still-the-peoples-first-choice-as-president-2811965.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801221144/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/john-drennan/john-drennan-norris-still-the-peoples-first-choice-as-president-2811965.html |archive-date=1 August 2012 |work=[[Irish Independent]]}}</ref><ref name="Examiner2406">{{Cite web |title=Controversy fails to dent Norris's poll popularity |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/search/?cx=004422957488353982429%3A4gb73lvknqy&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=UTF-8&q=%22David+Norris%22&x=0&y=0#947 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307020212/http://www.irishexaminer.com/search/?cx=004422957488353982429%3A4gb73lvknqy&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=UTF-8&q=%22David+Norris%22&x=0&y=0#947 |archive-date=7 March 2012 |access-date=4 July 2011 |website=[[Irish Examiner]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 July 2011 |title=Poll: Who would get your vote to be the next President of Ireland? |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/poll-who-would-get-your-vote-to-be-the-next-president-of-ireland-174212-Jul2011/?voted=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714045816/http://www.thejournal.ie/poll-who-would-get-your-vote-to-be-the-next-president-of-ireland-174212-Jul2011/?voted=1 |archive-date=14 July 2011 |access-date=11 July 2011 |work=[[TheJournal.ie]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 July 2011 |title=What's Left Tracker (PowerPoint file) |url=http://www.creditunion.ie/communications/news/2010/title,1498,en.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045859/http://www.creditunion.ie/communications/news/2010/title%2C1498%2Cen.php |archive-date=4 March 2016 |website=[[Irish League of Credit Unions]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Collins |first=Stephen |date=20 July 2011 |title=Norris ahead in presidency poll |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0720/breaking15.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720102406/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0720/breaking15.html |archive-date=20 July 2011 |access-date=20 July 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> Internal research by Fine Gael also placed Norris ahead of all other potential candidates.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sheahan |first=Fionnan |last2=Brennan |first2=Michael |last3=Duggan |first3=Barry |date=11 July 2011 |title=Fine Gael research says Norris will beat Mitchell in Aras race |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/fine-gael-research-says-norris-will-beat-mitchell-in-aras-race-26750563.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326051558/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/fine-gael-research-says-norris-will-beat-mitchell-in-aras-race-26750563.html |archive-date=26 March 2017 |access-date=25 March 2017 |work=[[Irish Independent]] |page=10}}</ref>

On 14 March 2011, Norris launched his campaign to secure a nomination.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 March 2011 |title=David Norris launches presidential campaign |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0314/norrisd.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314162304/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0314/norrisd.html |archive-date=14 March 2011 |access-date=17 March 2011 |work=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref> On 9 May 2011, he was nominated by [[Fingal County Council]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 May 2011 |title=Norris crosses first presidency hurdle |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0509/norrisd.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510231715/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0509/norrisd.html |archive-date=10 May 2011 |access-date=9 May 2011 |work=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref> By the end of that month, he had secured the support of 6 [[Teachta Dála|TD]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Minihan, Mary |date=27 May 2011 |title=Presidential race likely to be a fraught affair |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0527/1224297853620.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023233813/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0527/1224297853620.html |archive-date=23 October 2012 |access-date=29 May 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> [[Fine Gael]] ordered its councillors to block Norris's nomination.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cullen, Paul |date=16 May 2011 |title=Norris writes to Independent TDs seeking presidency support |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0516/1224297037875.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117161950/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0516/1224297037875.html |archive-date=17 November 2011 |access-date=29 May 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> In late May, controversial comments Norris allegedly made in 2002 were raised on a talk radio show. Norris called this an attempt to "sabotage" his campaign. He said the quotes had been taken out of context.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 May 2011 |title=David Norris hits out at campaign 'sabotage' |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0531/norrisd.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103094612/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0531/norrisd.html |archive-date=3 November 2012 |work=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref>

Norris's candidacy was endorsed by British actor and writer [[Stephen Fry]], who said Ireland "couldn't have a more intelligent passionate and knowledgeable witty or committed President".<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 June 2011 |title=Norris' Áras bid gets celebrity backing |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/david-norris-aras-bid-gets-celebrity-backing-165577-Jun2011/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702183119/http://www.thejournal.ie/david-norris-aras-bid-gets-celebrity-backing-165577-Jun2011/ |archive-date=2 July 2011 |access-date=29 June 2011 |publisher=[[The Journal (website)|The Journal]]}}</ref>

In late July, it was revealed that Norris had written a letter in 1997 to an Israeli court asking [[pardon|clemency]] for his former partner [[Ezra Nawi]], who had been convicted of the [[statutory rape]] of a 15-year-old Palestinian boy but was awaiting sentencing. Norris's letter, written on parliamentary notepaper, said that Nawi had been lured into a "carefully prepared trap" and had unwisely pleaded guilty to the charges. The story was publicised by a pro-Israel blogger [[John Connolly (blogger)|John Connolly]]. Connolly stated that he had received a tip from "someone in the trade union movement".<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 August 2011 |title=Hate mail deluge for Irish blogger |url=http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Hate-mail-deluge-for-Irish-blogger-who-exposed-Norris-support-for-rapist-126507763.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618144237/http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Hate-mail-deluge-for-Irish-blogger-who-exposed-Norris-support-for-rapist-126507763.html |archive-date=18 June 2012 |work=Irish Central}}</ref> A number of people resigned from Norris's campaign team. While Norris himself said he remained committed to his campaign, he admitted that it was now "in serious trouble".<ref name="BBC-serious-trouble" /> It was claimed by some that these allegations, complete with Norris's subsequent defence of his comments on [[pederasty in ancient Greece]] would seriously damage his chances of securing a nomination.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fionnan Sheahan |date=10 June 2011 |title=Norris in last-ditch attempt to save presidential bid |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/norris-in-lastditch-attempt-to-save-presidential-bid-2671079.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802134751/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/norris-in-lastditch-attempt-to-save-presidential-bid-2671079.html |archive-date=2 August 2012 |access-date=12 June 2011 |work=[[Irish Independent]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=[[Harry McGee]] |date=11 June 2011 |title=Time running out for Norris to turn campaign around |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/0611/1224298736307.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712152531/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/0611/1224298736307.html |archive-date=12 July 2011 |access-date=12 June 2011 |work=[[Irish Times]]}}</ref> Norris refuted this, saying he still expected to receive a nomination,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Joe Jackson |date=12 June 2011 |title=Despite a 'dirty fight' Norris says he will be next President |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/despite-a-dirty-fight-norris-says-he-will-be-next-president-2672695.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801220056/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/despite-a-dirty-fight-norris-says-he-will-be-next-president-2672695.html |archive-date=1 August 2012 |access-date=12 June 2011 |work=[[Sunday Independent (Ireland)|Sunday Independent]]}}</ref> and the controversy did not affect his poll standings.<ref name="Examiner2406" />

====Withdrawal====
As of 22 July, Norris had secured the support of 15 of the 20 members of the Oireachtas required for a nomination.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 July 2011 |title=Two more Senators back Norris bid |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0722/breaking25.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722134303/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0722/breaking25.html |archive-date=22 July 2011 |access-date=22 July 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> On 1 August, the [[Independent politician (Ireland)|Independent]] TDs [[John Halligan (politician)|John Halligan]], [[Finian McGrath]] and [[Thomas Pringle (politician)|Thomas Pringle]] announced that they were withdrawing their support for Norris over the revelations of the Nawi plea.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 August 2011 |title=Norris supporter Maureen O'Sullivan says he has been the victim of a nasty campaign |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0801/norrisd.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103130645/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0801/norrisd.html |archive-date=3 November 2012 |work=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1 August 2011 |title=Two TDs withdraw nominations |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/two-tds-withdraw-nominations-as-norris-campaign-hangs-in-balance-191029-Aug2011/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329191151/http://www.thejournal.ie/two-tds-withdraw-nominations-as-norris-campaign-hangs-in-balance-191029-Aug2011/ |archive-date=29 March 2012 |access-date=1 August 2011 |work=[[The Journal (website)|The Journal]]}}</ref> However, several other TDs re-iterated their support for Norris in his bid to become president. [[Maureen O'Sullivan (politician)|Maureen O'Sullivan]], TD referred to a "nasty campaign" when expressing her continued support for Norris.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 August 2011 |title=Norris supporter Maureen O'Sullivan says he has been the victim of a nasty campaign |url=http://www.newstalk.ie/2011/news/310maureennorriscliplk25/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929170320/http://www.newstalk.ie/2011/news/310maureennorriscliplk25/ |archive-date=29 September 2011 |access-date=1 August 2011 |work=Newstalk}}</ref> [[Wicklow (Dáil constituency)|Wicklow]] TD [[Stephen Donnelly]] said he believed it was wrong for Norris to have used [[Oireachtas]] headed notepaper, while [[Mick Wallace]], TD said he believed Norris should not have sent the plea. Both Donnelly and Wallace also reaffirmed their support for Norris.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 August 2011 |title=Two more Senators back Norris bid |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0801/breaking4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110802034656/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0801/breaking4.html |archive-date=2 August 2011 |access-date=1 August 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> Norris expressed his desire to continue his campaign for president.<ref name="BBC-serious-trouble">{{Cite news |date=31 July 2011 |title=David Norris campaign in 'serious trouble' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14357589 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522144343/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14357589 |archive-date=22 May 2018 |access-date=20 June 2018 |work=BBC News}}</ref> However, on 2 August, Norris announced at a press conference held at his home that he was withdrawing from the presidential race.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McDonald |first=Henry |date=2 August 2011 |title=Prospects of David Norris being first gay president scuppered |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/02/scandal-scuppers-gay-president |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930192027/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/02/scandal-scuppers-gay-president |archive-date=30 September 2013 |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelpie |first=Colm |date=2 August 2011 |title=David Norris pulls out of race to be the next President |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/david-norris-pulls-out-of-race-to-be-the-next-president-26757583.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521230031/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/david-norris-pulls-out-of-race-to-be-the-next-president-26757583.html |archive-date=21 May 2019 |work=[[Irish Independent]] |agency=[[Press Association]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 August 2011 |title=David Norris withdraws from Áras bid |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0802/304479-norrisd_president/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330000850/https://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0802/304479-norrisd_president/ |archive-date=30 March 2017 |access-date=29 March 2017 |work=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 August 2011 |title=Norris quits presidency race |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/norris-quits-presidency-race-515105.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316004723/https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/norris-quits-presidency-race-515105.html |archive-date=16 March 2012 |work=[[Irish Examiner]]}}</ref>

====Re-entry====
{{Quote box | width=30% | align=right | quote="I'm not perfect and I'm not pretending to be perfect. If you're waiting for a perfect president, you'll be waiting a long time ... I abhor abuse of children ... This would be the biggest comeback in Irish political history. I think people love a comeback." |source= David Norris confirmed his re-entry into the presidential race on a late-night appearance on ''The Late Late Show'' with [[Ryan Tubridy]] on 16 September 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carbery |first=Genevieve |date=17 September 2011 |title=Norris TV Appearance |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0917/1224304275387.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918102258/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0917/1224304275387.html |archive-date=18 September 2011 |access-date=18 September 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>}}
Despite withdrawing from the presidential race in July 2011, Norris retained significant public support. A poll taken a week later showed him leading with 40% first-preference support and 50% indicating they would vote for him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 August 2011 |title=Byrne tops poll for presidency |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/byrne-tops-poll-for-presidency-1.881646 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116022631/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/byrne-tops-poll-for-presidency-1.881646 |archive-date=16 November 2018 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> In early September, over 1,000 signatures were collected in Galway in 12 hours,<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 September 2011 |title=Galway Norris Campaign Gathers One Thousand Signatures |url=http://www.galwaynews.ie/21487-galway-norris-campaign-gathers-one-thousand-signatures |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311023702/http://www.galwaynews.ie/21487-galway-norris-campaign-gathers-one-thousand-signatures |archive-date=11 March 2013 |work=[[Galway Bay FM]]}}</ref> with similar support reported in [[Cork (city)|Cork]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 September 2011 |title=Local support for revived Norris Áras bid |url=http://thecorknews.ie/articles/local-support-revived-norris-%C3%A1ras-bid |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304171944/http://thecorknews.ie/articles/local-support-revived-norris-%C3%A1ras-bid |archive-date=4 March 2016 |work=The Cork News}}</ref> A petition of 10,000 signatures was presented outside Leinster House shortly afterwards.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 September 2011 |title=Norris set to re-enter Áras race |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0916/breaking45.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918171647/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0916/breaking45.html |archive-date=18 September 2011 |access-date=18 September 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> Norris announced his return to the race on ''[[The Late Late Show (Irish talk show)|The Late Late Show]]'' on 16 September; a ''Sunday Independent''/Millward Brown Lansdowne poll two days later showed him at 34% support.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 September 2011 |title=Support for Fianna Fáil drops to 10pc |url=http://www.tv3.ie/article.php?article_id=62800&locID=1.2&pagename=news |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923195427/http://www.tv3.ie/article.php?article_id=62800&locID=1.2&pagename=news |archive-date=23 September 2012 |work=[[TV3 News]]}}</ref>

Norris initially fell two Oireachtas members short of nomination but secured backing from four county councils (Fingal, Laois, Waterford and Dublin City), allowing his entry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 September 2011 |title=Senator David Norris wins a place in the Irish presidential race |url=http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Senator-David-Norris-wins-a-place-in-the-Irish-presidential-race-130653413.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001033041/http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Senator-David-Norris-wins-a-place-in-the-Irish-presidential-race-130653413.html |archive-date=1 October 2011 |access-date=28 September 2011 |publisher=IrishCentral}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McDonald |first=Henry |date=28 September 2011 |title=David Norris wins Irish presidency nomination |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/sep/28/david-norris-irish-presidency-nomination?intcmp=239 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904125644/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/sep/28/david-norris-irish-presidency-nomination?intcmp=239 |archive-date=4 September 2015 |access-date=28 September 2011 |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 September 2011 |title=Turnaround for candidate |url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/turnaround-for-candidate-20110929-1kz9k.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704170305/http://www.smh.com.au/world/turnaround-for-candidate-20110929-1kz9k.html |archive-date=4 July 2014 |access-date=30 September 2011 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref> He was helped by [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour]] candidate [[Michael D. Higgins]], who encouraged party colleagues to support Norris "in the interests of democracy".<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 September 2011 |title=Gay senator leads race for Ireland president |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2011/09/28/world/europe/ireland-president/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002074358/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/09/28/world/europe/ireland-president |archive-date=2 October 2011 |access-date=28 September 2011 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Norris personally phoned Higgins to express his thanks.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 October 2011 |title=Norris quick to voice approval of Higgins |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1001/1224305087698.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001105935/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1001/1224305087698.html |archive-date=1 October 2011 |access-date=1 October 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>

By late September, Norris had four times as many Twitter followers as any other candidate.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carbery |first=Genevieve |date=30 September 2011 |title=Norris and Gallagher show high net worth |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0930/1224305000607.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930091431/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0930/1224305000607.html |archive-date=30 September 2011 |access-date=30 September 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>

In the first debate, on ''[[RTÉ News at One]]'', Norris stated he would have no issue visiting Israel or meeting Pope Benedict XVI.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Charlie |title=Áras candidates set out positions in first debate |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0928/breaking4.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928092625/https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0928/breaking4.html |archive-date=28 September 2011 |access-date=28 September 2011 |work=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> Amid scrutiny of rivals' financial disclosures, Norris confirmed he had no stocks, shares, or directorships.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 October 2011 |title=Norris has 'no problem' disclosing earnings |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1004/president.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004224858/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1004/president.html |archive-date=4 October 2011 |access-date=4 October 2011 |publisher=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref> He formally re-launched his campaign at the [[Dublin Writers Museum]] on 5 October 2011.

Ultimately, Norris came fifth of seven candidates in the election, receiving 109,469 (6.2%) first preference votes.