Martin McGuinness to be named as Sinn Féins candidate for the Presidential Election?

Wolfe Tone · 16-09-2011 3:45pm #1

Rumors all over twitter and elsewhere that he will be named as Sinn Féins presidential candidate this evening.

He would be an excellent choice imo, he would certainly get my vote and he should preform decently in the election, although I wouldn't expect him to win.

He would be the perfect man to oversee the centenary of the Easter rising. He has proved himself a very capable statesman and he has handled the difficult position of deputy first minister with ease. He is a great republican and Irishman.

Even Reverend David Latimer, a Presbyterian minister, has said that Martin McGuinness is a "great leader". He would be a great president too.

The Sindo certainly won't like this election!

seamus · 16-09-2011 3:49pm

Can't see a Sinn Féin candidate winning the presidency tbh. Though I think only himself or Gerry could make a good go of it, they're generally considerable "likeable" down south. Anyone else under a SF banner would tank.

I also can't see the logic in moving from his current position to a ceremonial one like Irish president. It would seem to me to be a step down for anyone with such a strong stake in NI politics like McGuinnes.

lugha · 16-09-2011 3:52pm

seamus wrote: »

Can't see a Sinn Féin candidate winning the presidency tbh. Though I think only himself or Gerry could make a good go of it, they're generally considerable "likeable" down south.

I also can't see the logic in moving from his current position to a ceremonial one like Irish president. It would seem to me to be a step down for anyone with such a strong stake in NI politics like McGuinnes.

I'd agree. I think Michelle Gildernew is a much better bet. Plus McGuinness, like any candidate, will have his past thoroughly scrutinised. And there is a thing or three there that will put many off!

Zubeneschamali · 16-09-2011 3:52pm

seamus wrote: »

I also can't see the logic in moving from his current position to a ceremonial one like Irish president.

He and everyone in SF know that they can't possibly win, that's not the point.

Wolfe Tone · 16-09-2011 3:52pm

Sinn Féin need 3 extra Oireachtas members to nominate someone, I would assume they have them lined up.

TiGeR KiNgS · 16-09-2011 3:53pm

How would he balance the positions on the island?

Who would take over the ODFM ?

Good republican yes, Good man yes but terrible choice imo.

It will probably be Gerry Adams

dlofnep · 16-09-2011 3:54pm

It would be interesting to see. I don't think McGuinness minds being scrutinized. He has always been very forthcoming with his past - and many people empathise with anyone who grew up in Derry when he did, with how they were treated by the state, and the armed forces.

Fr Tod Umptious · 16-09-2011 4:02pm

So much for SF facilitating a non SF candidate, if it's true.

Terribly choice, the whole thing with him being in the IRA army council will be enough to mean he will get savaged during the campaign.

SF are at least 20 years for a chance of winning the presidency.
Any of the old northern types are two stained, and rightly so, by the past and the Paerse Doherty's and Mary Looos of the world are too young right now.

baldbear · 16-09-2011 4:14pm

Will he be able to vote for himself???

Its a good choice by SF. They know they haven't a chance of winning but its all about promoting the party in a all-ireland basis and they will smash FF, again.

blahfckingblah · 16-09-2011 4:14pm

Wow that seems kind of crazy, from one point of view they have none of the "major" names in NI if they do but he will have a decent chance of getting it.

Wolfe Tone · 16-09-2011 4:16pm

baldbear wrote: »

Will he be able to vote for himself???

Its a good choice by SF. They know they haven't a chance of winning but its all about promoting the party in a all-ireland basis and they will smash FF, again.

Disgracefully I don't think so. Something I am sure he will be quick to point out on the campaign trail, the disgraceful situation which exists where people in the north cannot vote in the presidential election.

Fr Tod Umptious · 16-09-2011 4:25pm

baldbear wrote: »

Will he be able to vote for himself???

Its a good choice by SF. They know they haven't a chance of winning but its all about promoting the party in a all-ireland basis and they will smash FF, again.

If they wish to promote the party in an all Ireland basis as you say them I would think a candidate from the South would be better.

One problem with SF is that most of us down here consider them a NI party, and running and old nordie like McGuniness does nothing to change that.

NSNO · 16-09-2011 4:31pm

He hasn't a hope. Higgins may be the big beneficiary... can see a number of Fine Gael voters giving Higgins preferences now to keep McGuinness out where they previously may have left him off of their ballot.

This has probably scuppered Norris' bid as well, don't think he'll be able to get the Oireachtas numbers without Sinn Féin's help. His only hope is Fianna Fáil now at this stage. And one should never hold out much hope when they're relying on that shower...

pablomakaveli · 16-09-2011 4:31pm

Will he have to resign from Stormont if he does?

Zubeneschamali · 16-09-2011 4:34pm

NSNO wrote: »

can see a number of Fine Gael voters giving Higgins preferences now to keep McGuinness out where they previously may have left him off of their ballot.

Yes, I'll even give that Dragon's Den joke candidate a preference now, just so I can put the SF guy last. Well, unless some FFer gets in the race, in which case the SFer will be second last.

16-09-2011 4:35pm

Nevermind

NSNO · 16-09-2011 4:36pm

RTE have confirmed it.

"Breaking News: Sinn Féin to put forward Martin McGuinness as a candidate in the upcoming election for President of Ireland #aras11"

Wolfe Tone · 16-09-2011 4:37pm

pablomakaveli wrote: »

Will he have to resign from Stormont if he does?

I would assume Gerry Kelly would take over as acting deputy first minister while he is running, if he wins he would resign from Stormont, otherwise he would return as deputy first minister.

Sir Oxman · 16-09-2011 4:38pm

This is getting good now...

Wolfe Tone · 16-09-2011 4:39pm

gambiaman wrote: »

This is getting good now...

Get the popcorn

GSF · 16-09-2011 4:39pm

Enda can just arrange endless royal visits from various European countries to keep him occcupied making them tea & showing them around Dublin

Sir Oxman · 16-09-2011 4:40pm

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

Get the popcorn

Hell yeah!

The established meeja bandwagons are circling already!

NSNO · 16-09-2011 4:42pm

The more I think about this the more I can see the big losers being Fianna Fáil because as it currently stands McGuinness will place a very credible third and will trounce any candidate FF put into the contest.

Combined with a disastrous by-election result for FF/good showing by SF/leadership heave in FF and FF will be on the floor again.

paky · 16-09-2011 4:43pm

this is fantastic news! mcguinness has a great shot at winning.

i was keen on voting for norris but considering he has no backbone and failed his first major challenge as a leader, he wont be getting my vote now. McGuninness all the way.

TAL

Sir Oxman · 16-09-2011 4:44pm

Noel Whelan on drivetime on the numbers - 10% guaranteed, easily make 20%, looking at maybe 30% ! FPVs of course

NSNO · 16-09-2011 4:45pm

paky wrote: »

this is fantastic news! mcguinness has a great shot at winning.

i was keen on voting for norris but considering he has no backbone and failed his first major challenge as a leader, he wont be getting my vote now. McGuninness all the way.

TAL

C'mon mate, don't delude yourself. McGuinness doesn't have a chance. He's anathema to the middle classes.

Godge · 16-09-2011 4:46pm

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Yes, I'll even give that Dragon's Den joke candidate a preference now, just so I can put the SF guy last. Well, unless some FFer gets in the race, in which case the SFer will be second last.

Know how you feel, was only going to vote in the referenda and the by-election but now I will have to decide which of the other eejits to put in front of the SF candidate.

paky · 16-09-2011 4:51pm

NSNO wrote: »

C'mon mate, don't delude yourself. McGuinness doesn't have a chance. He's anathema to the middle classes.

in all fairness, look at the opposition he has, norris is the only real threat.

why am i 'deluding' myself?

Wolfe Tone · 16-09-2011 4:52pm

paky wrote: »

in all fairness, look at the opposition he has, norris is the only real threat.

why am i 'deluding' myself?

I wouldnt expect him to win, it really doesn't matter, its about raising the profile of the party and getting the message out.

I hope he wins though.

paky · 16-09-2011 4:55pm

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

I wouldnt expect him to win, it really doesn't matter, its about raising the profile of the party and getting the message out.

I hope he wins though.

why wouldnt you expect him to win? hes a household name around ireland. norris may have big support in and around dublin but the fact that hes gay wouldnt draw many votes from conservative irish people in rural areas

dlofnep · 16-09-2011 4:56pm

I await the hilarious levels of outrage from the Sindo at his candidacy. It's worth it, just to annoy them.

Martin McGuinness to be named as Sinn Féins candidate for the Presidential Election?

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