IT WAS an election of the heart. A cross section of Irish women were the committed, if slightly nervous, candidates. Hundreds of American males would eventually be the choosy electorate. And, as if it needed to be spelt out, all manifestos spoke only of love.
"We're just doing it for the crack," confided one woman in her 40s who had come along with her friend to be photographed and videotaped at a hotel In Dublin yesterday, Representatives of Irish Sweetheart Tours were back playing Cupid in the capital.
Texan matchmaker Raymond Campbell has been here three times before on his mission to bring Irish women and American men together. He has a database of 500, to whom he sent invitations to attend the "recruiting visit". Next week the tour travels to Scotland to interview, photograph and film interested Scottish women.
The end result will he a video of all the "lovely and charming" and more importantly "single" Irish and Scottish women, which Raymond hopes to flog to the boys back home.
"Each woman will have a code number," he explained in a romantic Texan drawl. "The men who watch the video can contact the women through our office. There will be no obligation; the women will be in control."
When asked why she was looking so far afield for a man, Deborah was quick to answer: "Irishmen don't want commitment. The Americans seem to have a clear idea of what they want and like the idea of a loving, sharing relationship."
Irina, an attractive Russian woman living and working here was taking part because she found it difficult to form a relationship. "Irishmen seem to be scared of me," she said.
Observing one of the tapings gave an idea of the kind of attributes the Americans might be looking for. Jane trembled slightly as she took her place in front of the camera. Raymond helpfully held up a cue card which reminded her to state her name, age, interests and an invitation to the American men to visit these shores.
Did she have children? Better make it clear they are not dependants. They are dependants? Better leave that out.
Sex, lies and videotape ...