Slugging it out in bearpit of democracy

How could you stand before people and ask them to invest their future in you without a big ego, writes Michael Clifford

Today is the day when democracy sits back and opens up. Those who have dreamed of this day arriving will drink it in, and probably cherish it for the rest of their lives. Others are going to be delivered a blow that goes right to the core of their being. And yet more will experience joy in the simple twist of fate that ekes out a victory from expected defeat. No, this is not a reference to the Ireland-England rugby match this evening but the general election count.

So much for those who will participate in the bloodsport. For the rest of us, it will be a day of drama and surprises, chatter and recriminations. Out there somewhere at dawn’s hour this morning, some politico or media personage has risen, gone outside and sniffed the air, before declaring: “I love the smell of napalm on the morning of The Count.”