Faithful rally to Adams but SF has work cut out for voters

AS Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams gladhanded his way through Cork yesterday afternoon you couldn’t help but feel he expected a bigger turnout.

Sure, the kind of people who vote for him were popping out of every other shop doorway and pub in Cork’s North Main Street to see him — and be photographed with him — during his delayed walkabout.

Other people, perhaps the kind of voters Sinn Féin need to reach out to more, stood and stared or simply walked on, unconcerned over the appearance on the streets of the most infamous face from television in the dark days of the 1980s.

But for Sinn Féin’s band of brave-new-world supporters the presence of their down-to-earth president was a welcome boost for what it sees as its best shot yet in a Dáil election.

The kind of people Adams met during his walkabout were the voters Sinn Féin has come to realise will give them that chance: working men and women, people at the rough end of the Celtic Tiger and those who feel let down by the Bert and Enda show in Dublin.

Although Adams earlier insisted at the historic Imperial Hotel that his party was not all about capturing the youth vote, the charismatic and intelligent leader clearly has a pull among the younger more idealistic voter.

As he strode purposefully down Grand Parade towards Daunt Square with Cork’s beaming Sinn Féin candidates for Cork, Jonathan O’Brien, a band of his younger supporters (mostly male) gave him a polite round of applause as he single-handedly stopped traffic in the road and walked to greet them.

After exchanging a few words with his loyal followers, a tide of “good to see you” and “fair play” and “all the best” in that unmistakable Ulster accent flowed out down North Main Street as he led his crew on the walkabout.

For any other politician his sartorial appearance yesterday would have been a disaster: his creased navy blue linen jacket, black slacks, soft shoes and short-sleeve shirt being far removed from the pinstripe suits expected at Leinster House.

Undeniably, many people Adams met were comfortable with his homely appearance and glad to see the man they feel offers a new turn in politics and one who they see as living up to their ideals.

Refused for a handshake just once by a man outside a pub in nearby Shandon Street, Adams was able to take consolation from the positive reaction he did get elsewhere from the kind of people he is sure would vote for him.

However, whatever you can throw at him, you couldn’t say he was not astute.

“There’s a palpable sense of goodwill towards Sinn Féin and we have got to transform that into votes,” he told supporters at the end of his walk in the hot sun. It’s up to you.”

It’s one thing gladhanding the public but it’s another thing making sure those hands do the talking for Sinn Féin in the ballot box come May 24.