jm08 wrote: » There might have been abstensions! As for VP - what difference does it make knowing the exact number of votes that Pat Doherty got and what Francie Molloy got?
FrancieBrady wrote: » A SF member explained how it works. It is a cumann nomination process. Each cumann nominates a candidate. Mary Lou was the only one to emerge from that and was ratified by a vote at Ard Fheis. It's a different, no less democratic way of doing it. There doesnt seem to be an over ride mechanism like other parties, like FG, have if the membetship want somebody the elite or elders dont want.
ohnonotgmail wrote: » you have lost the run of the thread. the election under discussion was the one for deputy leader. there was no election for mary lou. She was the only candidate. She was appointed.
jm08 wrote: » What difference would it make to you or me to know whether Mary Lou had the full backing. It depends on the rules of the organisation.
ohnonotgmail wrote: » why wouldn't they?
rdwight wrote: » How many times have we heard the "don't criticize us we're holding the peace process" line over the last 20 years?
jm08 wrote: » Why would they have to publish the vote?
jm08 wrote: » Only to those who wanted to see them as bad. I wonder at all of the attacks of sinn fein, particularly by Fine Gael that they would prefer if Sinn Fein didn't try and keep former IRA onside and would prefer if these people were filling the ranks of the New IRA/dissident republicans.Sinn Fein has to keep them close to them if they want to maintain the peace.
Finty Lemon wrote: » It seems there is an implicit threat of violence in there somewhere, even though the poster doesn't even seem to realise it themselves. I am confused
Jinglejangle69 wrote: » Same twisted logic that we should be all grateful to Gerry Adams for finally realising blowing up kids isn't actually very nice and probably should put a stop that idea.
Finty Lemon wrote: » What does the last sentence mean? If former IRA members are devoted to peace, why has peace to be maintained?
jm08 wrote: » Only to those who wanted to see them as bad. I wonder at all of the attacks of sinn fein, particularly by Fine Gael that they would prefer if Sinn Fein didn't try and keep former IRA onside and would prefer if these people were filling the ranks of the New IRA/dissident republicans. Sinn Fein has to keep them close to them if they want to maintain the peace.
ohnonotgmail wrote: » was that the vote that SF refused to publish the results of?
anyway, that is one leadership vote. in 40 years. Not really a normal party is it?
Finty Lemon wrote: » This is an interesting and realistic perspective. For clarity, are you saying that SF have to act in a certain way in order to please the (former) IRA, or elements of it? Otherwise there is a risk to state security? And to follow, how would you see that playing out if SF were in government in Dublin? Would they as leaders of a sovereign national government still have to act to appease former members of the IRA?
Finty Lemon wrote: » This is an interesting and realistic perspective. For clarity, are you saying that SF have to act in a certain way in order to please the (former) IRA, or elements of it? Otherwise there is a risk to state security?
And to follow, how would you see that playing out if SF were in government in Dublin? Would they as leaders of a sovereign national government still have to act to appease former members of the IRA?
jm08 wrote: » Well, there seems to have been some challenges - francie Molloy challenged Pat Doherty for the Vice president of SF and John O'dowd has challenged Michaelle O'Neill.
jimmycrackcorm wrote: » Leo was up against Simon for the leadership, TD's and party members actually had a choice. Who were Gerry, Mary-Lou, Michelle competing against? In contrast, SF leadership is filled as an almost carbon copy of the Chinese communist party process, where the leader is designated and afterwards ratified by the party.
ohnonotgmail wrote: » what other possible candidates? Dont try and pretend that the position of leader isn't dictated from the top. An election with one candidate is not an election it is rubberstamping.
jm08 wrote: » So maybe possible candidates didn't have a hope and if they emerged all they would do is split the party. Look at the DUP now. Look at Fianna Fail. Look at Fine Gael, where Leo is losing popularity and Simon is in the sidelines playing a blinder. Similarly with Michael Martin and Jim O'Callaghan.
6 wrote: » Agree regarding the facts point. Regarding Ferris, the optics were bad. Let's be honest.
jm08 wrote: » Similar setup to Fine Gael I think who also don't select their leader by membership vote. Fianna Fail has an Ard Comharle as well.