Gerry Adams to run for President ?

HRH_The_Queen

Apologies if this is being discussed elsewhere, but despite his recent "clarifications", I can't help but see the recent Gerry Adams statement as a significant change in position for Sinn Fein. Is this just about votes, or is he positioning himself for a run at the Presidency ?

My own position is that I would regard him as a very good candidate. What do you think ?

Statement :

Ireland and Britain — Towards a new relationship
By Gerry Adams
THE VISIT of the Queen of England has been the subject of considerable political and media focus. However, the occasion of this visit merits a much fuller discussion about how Ireland and Britain, in the wake of the recent seismic political changes, can build a better, more beneficial relationship for the peoples of both our islands.

The clichés that this first ever visit to the state by a serving British monarch somehow indicates that Irish people “have matured” or “finally grown up” are deeply patronising and insulting. I have nothing against the Queen of England being the Queen of England. That is a matter for the people of England. But it is not the way I want Irish society to be organised.

I am a republican. I believe that the people are sovereign and not subjects. I am against monarchies.

I am also Irish. And while I am conscious of the sense of affinity which unionists have with the English monarch, I am offended at having to live in a partitioned Ireland with the Queen of England ruling over a part of us.

I believe the visit of the English queen is troubling for many Irish citizens, particularly victims of British rule and those with legacy issues in this state and in the North. I am for a new relationship between the people of the island of Ireland and between the people of Ireland and Britain based on equality and mutual respect.

I hope this visit will hasten that day but much will depend on what the British monarch says. As an Irish citizen who was detained without charge or trial a number of times on a British prison ship, in a prison camp and an H-Block, as well as a more conventional prison, at ‘Her Majesty’s Pleasure’ – I hope so.

So too will many of the families of victims in the conflict, including victims of British terrorism and collusion. This includes families of those killed in the Dublin Monaghan bombs whose anniversary takes place on the first day of the visit. British interference in Irish affairs has come at a huge cost to the Irish people. It has been marked by invasion, occupation, subjugation, famine and cycles of Irish resistance and British repression.

The impact of this, including partition and its consequences, are still being felt to this day. Irish republicans too have caused much hurt to people in Britain. I regret this.

The full normalisation of relationships between Ireland and Britain is important. This will require the ending of partition and the emergence of a New Ireland.

The Peace Process, which Sinn Féin has contributed significantly to, has transformed the political landscape in Ireland and resulted in a peaceful political dispensation based on an historic accord between Irish nationalism and unionism. The Good Friday Agreement is the foundation upon which new relationships between unionists and nationalists and between Ireland and Britain can be forged. It has fundamentally altered the political landscape, levelled the political playing field, removing the despicable Government of Ireland Act and opening up a peaceful, democratic route to a united Ireland.

And because nationalists and unionists are governing the north decisions affecting the lives of people there are being increasingly made in Ireland and not in Britain. Republicans want to continue and to accelerate this process.

The united Ireland that republicans seek to build encompasses all the people of this island, including unionists. It will be a pluralist, egalitarian society in which citizens rights are protected and in which everyone will be treated equally. Sinn Féin wants a New Republic. That of course is a matter for the people of this island to decide.

But no matter how we shape our society, the new Ireland must embrace our islands diversity in its fullest sense. This includes English and Scottish influences, the sense of Britishness felt by many unionists, as well as indigenous and traditional Irish culture and the cultures of people who have come to Ireland in recent times.

Ireland and England are not strangers to each other. We should build on what we have in common while at the same time respecting each other’s sovereignty and independence.

I want to see a real and meaningfully new and better relationship between the peoples of Ireland and Britain — one built on equality and mutual respect. Republicans have been to the forefront in working to bring this about and we will continue to do so.

The visit by the Queen of England provides a unique opportunity for the British establishment to make it clear that this is its intention also. If this is the case it will be a matter of considerable pleasure, not just for her majesty but for the rest of us as well.

BREAKING NEWS

later12

Who would nominate him?

Teclo

Isn't he a baron or something across the pond? Can you be baron and president at the same time?

mike65

The term timing means it'll be up for grabs again in Nov 2016 at latest, hmmmmmm!

charlemont

Teclo wrote: »

Isn't he a baron or something across the pond? Can you be baron and president at the same time?

No he isnt, What gives you that idea ?

He would make a great president..

HavingCrack

He would not have a chance of being elected. He's popular amongst certain working class communites in the cities and in some small towns of the border counties but Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein in general do not have enough support in the rest of society to realistically win an election for the foreseeable future.

dlofnep

Gerry has ever chance at winning a presidential election. I thought his statement was very mature and profound. He may run in the future, and will have my support and the support of many.

Wolfe Tone

I hope he does run, and I hope people in the north gt to have a say in who is president of Ireland.

Bottle_of_Smoke

He's hardly gonna be running in the next one is he? He just left one elected position to be elected to another. Be a bit of a "f*ck you" to the people of Louth if he ran

And he wouldn't have a hope at winning it. People of certain ages who make up a large proportion of the electorate only associate him with the likes of Enniskillen and Shankill bombings.

Maybe in 7 years time and people's perceptions of him may have changed he'll have a chance - but presently he's still just the beardy guy who refuses to admit he was an IRA commander

later12

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

I hope he does run, and I hope people in the north gt to have a say in who is president of Ireland.

Certainly, and they are more than welcome to help pay the rather eye watering salary as well.

PARKHEAD67

He'd get my vote but a lot of people forget the "Northern Ireland" he lived through.The Real IRA (or whatever they call themselves) twats who exist today are nothing but a bunch of imbeciles.But in Adams time back in the 70's the Nationalist community in the north were treated worse than blacks in America.People tend to have very short memories down here south of the border.....Id like to see some of these anti-Adams brigade live through what he(and thousands of Catholics) lived through up there back in the day.

dlofnep

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

He's hardly gonna be running in the next one is he? He just left one elected position to be elected to another. Be a bit of a "f*ck you" to the people of Louth if he ran

Not really if he served out his term. People are given a mandate for a single term. I don't see it as doing such - Although, I think that he will probably run for a second term in Louth as TD. People seem to forget that Adams is nearly 63. He's getting on in life - if he runs in 7 years time, he will be 70. Quite old for a president don't you think?

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

And he wouldn't have a hope at winning it. People of certain ages who make up a large proportion of the electorate only associate him with the likes of Enniskillen and Shankill bombings.

And certain people will also look at him as a hero, who stood up to the British establishment, and as someone who ensured that the peace process in Ireland was successful. I think he will have a very good chance. It all depends on who else stands.

Knight990

I'd draw the line at having a terrorist as President, to be honest. It's bad enough that he's let be in the Dáil.

Okay, let the "traitor", "west brit" and related insults begin

PatsytheNazi

Knight990 wrote: »

I'd draw the line at having a terrorist as President, to be honest. It's bad enough that he's let be in the Dáil.

Okay, let the "traitor", "west brit" and related insults begin

Sure wasn't the State founded by 'terrorists' and cop killers, Micheal Collins, Vinny Byrne and the Squad etc Now here we go for a " use of force was legitimate 80 years or 10,000 miles away. If I had been around back then I would have blah, blah, blah......"

Knight990

PatsytheNazi wrote: »

Sure wasn't the State founded by 'terrorists' and cop killers, Micheal Collins, Vinny Byrne and the Squad etc Now here we go for a " use of force was legitimate 80 years or 10,000 miles away. If I had been around back then I would have blah, blah, blah......"

No, actually, not really . My own personal opinion of the man, I wouldn't put him on the same level as Collins, etc. It'd be terribly off-topic for me to get into it.

dlofnep

Knight990 wrote: »

I'd draw the line at having a terrorist as President, to be honest. It's bad enough that he's let be in the Dáil.

Okay, let the "traitor", "west brit" and related insults begin

Ah yes, the emotive 'terrorist' word. Éamon de Valera & Seán T. O'Kelly would probably both fit your description of terrorists - both presidents of this Republic.

Knight990

dlofnep wrote: »

Ah yes, the emotive 'terrorist' word. Éamon de Valera & Seán T. O'Kelly would probably both fit your description of terrorists - both presidents of this Republic.

Nah, not particularly. Great respect for both men.

later12

Knight990 wrote: »

Nah, not particularly. Great respect for both men.

Hard to understand why you would have great respect for DeValera as a President and not Gerry Adams.

Both stood by or actively killed Irishmen (allegedly in Adams' case) for the cause of Irish "freedom"

charlemont

Knight990 wrote: »

I'd draw the line at having a terrorist as President, to be honest. It's bad enough that he's let be in the Dáil.

Okay, let the "traitor", "west brit" and related insults begin

I suppose the people of Dresden would consider Churchill a terrorist, Churchill by the way was involved in the War of Independence too, And that was terrorism against the Irish population.

Whats good for the goose is good for the gander..

Knight990

later10 wrote: »

Hard to understand why you would have great respect for DeValera as a President and not Gerry Adams.

Both stood by or actively killed Irishmen (allegedly in Adams' case) for the cause of Irish "freedom"

Listen, don't confuse me for a young fella reading this from a book I'm from a Catholic working class family in the north, I know what Adams and his band were like back then. Press-ganging impressionable young men by threat of force into their escapades, that kind of thing.

Nah, not the same.

later12

Knight990 wrote: »

Press-ganging impressionable young men by threat of force into their escapades, that kind of thing.

Do you think it was off a stone, they licked it?

Perhaps if you had read accounts of some of the more brutal old IRA activities you would be as un-sympathetic.

Merch

Knight990 wrote: »

I'd draw the line at having a terrorist as President, to be honest. It's bad enough that he's let be in the Dáil.

Okay, let the "traitor", "west brit" and related insults begin

One mans terrorist is anothers freedom fighter, look at Nelson Mandella

Id have him over Ahern or an Ahern any day, I mean Gerry not Nelson

GaryCanDance

Knight990 wrote: »

Nah, not particularly. Great respect for both men.

Then your respect is emotional and based on any form of well thought out understanding of history of politics.

I respect them both. As well as Adams. But only because I've sat down and actually thought it through. I'm thoughtful like that.

You should try use your brain before you decide to share your opinions next time

Madam

Knight990 wrote: »

Listen, don't confuse me for a young fella reading this from a book I'm from a Catholic working class family in the north, I know what Adams and his band were like back then. Press-ganging impressionable young men by threat of force into their escapades, that kind of thing.

Nah, not the same.

And yet you say your a native of Dublin? How would you know that for sure? I think he'd make an excellent President but I'm not sure he'd be accepted by the people from the 'South' (by that I mean anywhere beyond Leitrim) tbh!

Knight990

Some of the keyboard-warrioring is hilarious. No need for personal attacks lads, I simply put my view out. You all make very valid points for me to consider, but try to be more calm and collected

Telling me to "use my brain" - absolutely mature. So, on with the topic discussion!

Bottle_of_Smoke

dlofnep wrote: »

Not really if he served out his term. People are given a mandate for a single term. I don't see it as doing such - Although, I think that he will probably run for a second term in Louth as TD. People seem to forget that Adams is nearly 63. He's getting on in life - if he runs in 7 years time, he will be 70. Quite old for a president don't you think?

I just assumed you couldn't be a TD and president at the same time

And certain people will also look at him as a hero, who stood up to the British establishment, and as someone who ensured that the peace process in Ireland was successful. I think he will have a very good chance. It all depends on who else stands.

I don't think there's enough of those people. Sinn Fein have less than 10% of the seats in the Dail. If people in the north could vote would be a different story though

pow wow

I suspect he will run, eventually. Personally his overt preoccupation with one particular issue makes him less attractive as a candidate to me, and I think in general that would make him less attractive to the electorate too. Also, he's a bit more marmite than say David Norris, as in you either love him or hate him.

LordSutch

HRH_The_Queen wrote: »

Apologies if this is being discussed elsewhere, but despite his recent "clarifications", I can't help but see the recent Gerry Adams statement as a significant change in position for Sinn Fein. Is this just about votes, or is he positioning himself for a run at the Presidency ?

Who care's? He wouldn't stand a chance.

end a eknny

LordSutch wrote: »

Who care's? He wouldn't stand a chance.

and your in a position to speak for irish people...how

Corsendonk

Anyone else like to see a younger running field for the role? Its starting to turn back into the gold watch retirement gig again. 7 year term so we might be throwing in a free state funeral as part of the package.

Gerry Adams 62
Michael D Higgins 70
David Norris 66
Pat Cox 58
John Bruton 63
Fergus Finlay 61
Mairead McGuinness 51
Sean Kelly 59
Sean Gallagher 48
Mary Davis 56
Jackie Healy-Rae 80
Mary White 66
Mammy O'Rourke 73
Brian Crowley 47

tayto lover

Corsendonk wrote: »

Anyone else like to see a younger running field for the role? Its starting to turn back into the gold watch retirement gig again. 7 year term so we might be throwing in a free state funeral as part of the package.

Gerry Adams 62
Michael D Higgins 70
David Norris 66
Pat Cox 58
John Bruton 63
Fergus Finlay 61
Mairead McGuinness 51
Sean Kelly 59
Sean Gallagher 48
Mary Davis 56
Jackie Healy-Rae 80
Mary White 66
Mammy O'Rourke 73
Brian Crowley 47

What a bunch of losers. I couldn't vote for any of that lot although i don't know a lot about Mary Davis to be honest.

end a eknny

Corsendonk wrote: »

Anyone else like to see a younger running field for the role? Its starting to turn back into the gold watch retirement gig again. 7 year term so we might be throwing in a free state funeral as part of the package.

Gerry Adams 62
Michael D Higgins 70
David Norris 66
Pat Cox 58
John Bruton 63
Fergus Finlay 61
Mairead McGuinness 51
Sean Kelly 59
Sean Gallagher 48
Mary Davis 56
Jackie Healy-Rae 80
Mary White 66
Mammy O'Rourke 73
Brian Crowley 47

what age is the queen dont see the problem that you do

lugha

tayto lover wrote: »

What a bunch of losers. I couldn't vote for any of that lot although i don't know a lot about Mary Davis to be honest.

Finlay or Norris wouldn't be a bad choice IMO. And I'd take Bruton too. Maybe someone completely outside of party politics like John O Shea or Seamus Heaney might be worth a punt too.

joolsveer

I will be very disappointed in Bertie doesn't run. As a socialist republican he should be prepared to test the support of the electorate.

I don't think that age is a criterion which should rule any of the proposed candidates out.

end a eknny

lugha wrote: »

Finlay or Norris wouldn't be a bad choice IMO. And I'd take Bruton too. Maybe someone completely outside of party politics like John O Shea or Seamus Heaney might be worth a punt too.

whats with people sticking in this imo surely thats a bit pointless imo

PeterIanStaker

Norris definitely has my vote for the park, although if Jurry does die soon, lets give him a state funeral - just so we can laugh at the Myers/Harris/Cruiser disciples going into apoplectic fits of rage!

PARKHEAD67

Knight990 wrote: »

I'd draw the line at having a terrorist as President, to be honest. It's bad enough that he's let be in the Dáil.

Okay, let the "traitor", "west brit" and related insults begin

A terrorist? Hmmmm..............Typical media driven waffle:rolleyes:

LordSutch

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

A terrorist? Hmmmm..............Typical media driven waffle:rolleyes:

Get your facts right matey before doing the auld 'eyes up' > Don't you remember the Provisional IRA? Don't you remember what they did? Dont you remember Adams refusing to condemn each and every atrocity carried out by them? Many people say that Adams himself was in the IRA, possibly even being their leader back in the 70s? either way, why would you want anybody connected to the PIRA to be your President

PARKHEAD67

LordSutch wrote: »

Get your facts right matey before doing the auld 'eyes up' > Don't you remember the Provisional IRA? Don't you remember what they did? Dont you remember Adams refusing to condemn each and every atrocity carried out by them? Many people say that Adams himself was in the IRA, possibly even being their leader back in the 70s? either way, why would you want anybody connected to the PIRA to be your President

Dont you remember internment without trial? Dont you remember Bloody Sunday? Dont you remember the stitch up of the Birmingham 6? I dont condone the IRA but by Christ th3 Brits did a lot worse to a lot more countries.HYPOCRITES!!!!!!

LordSutch

Bloody Sunday you say, well yes thats one day out of thirty years!

But what about the PIRAs thirty year terrorist campaign? and the fact that Adams was an apologist for it? I mean, why would you want anybody connected to the IRA to be the President of this country? please answer the question.

lugha

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

Dont you remember internment without trial? Dont you remember Bloody Sunday? Dont you remember the stitch up of the Birmingham 6? I dont condone the IRA but by Christ th3 Brits did a lot worse to a lot more countries.HYPOCRITS!!!!!!

Is anyone proposing that the "Brits" be considered for the park anytime soon?
Adams and his crew claimed to be acting on our behalf. That is why many of us retain reservations about him.

PARKHEAD67

LordSutch wrote: »

Bloody Sunday you say, well yes thats one day out of thirty years!

But what about the PIRAs thirty year terrorist campaign? and the fact that Adams was an apologist for it? I mean, why would you want anybody connected to the IRA to be the President of this country? please answer the question.

That one day killed a lot of INNOCENT people.Sanctioned by the Brits .(A law onto themselves-but thats another story). It was a terrorist campaign by the brits. Read your history books buddy.;)

Knight990

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

Dont you remember internment without trial? Dont you remember Bloody Sunday? Dont you remember the stitch up of the Birmingham 6? I dont condone the IRA but by Christ th3 Brits did a lot worse to a lot more countries.HYPOCRITES!!!!!!

And look what "an eye for an eye" gave us for so many years.

PARKHEAD67

LordSutch wrote: »

Bloody Sunday you say, well yes thats one day out of thirty years!
Very flippant.Im sure their loved ones would applaud you for that comment.

LordSutch

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

Very flippant.Im sure their loved ones would applaud you for that comment.

You are avoiding answering the question Mr Parkhead!

PS; Have you ever seen a list of Bombings & Murders in the North? Bloody Sunday was but one awful day . . . . . . . .

PARKHEAD67

LordSutch wrote: »

You are avoiding answering the question Mr Parkhead!

PS; Have you ever seen a list of Bombings & Murders in the North? Bloody Sunday was but one awful day . . . . . . . .

By an army .The British army!!! Acting on behalf of the monarchy or whatever the f ye call it.The IRA were an illegal organisation. What was done on bloody sunday was carried out by a "legal" organisation.(The brit army).A disgraceful mob who colluded with the loyalist paramiliteries and murdered many innocent Catholics. An army of shame akin to hitlers mob.

LordSutch

No, that's not the answer to the question Mr P.

PARKHEAD67

LordSutch wrote: »

No, that's not the answer to the question Mr P.

Sweep it under the carpet.Yere good at that.

LordSutch

You have been asked time & time again why you would vote for Adams (with his terrorist past) to be our President, and you just won't, or can't answer! > Adams is a red herring anyway, there is no hope in hell that he would even be considered with his murky past.

PARKHEAD67

LordSutch wrote: »

You have been asked time & time again why you would vote for Adams (with his terrorist past) to be our President, and you just won't, or can't answer! > Adams is a red herring anyway, there is no hope in hell that he would even be considered with his murky past.

Ok. Ill tell you why. Because he and his party talk sense.The bull**** days of FF are gone (I hope).This terrorist past thing is pure media-driven tripe. The man stood up for his people when they were being opressed.Martin Luther King was the black mans saviour in the states. Gerry was the Catholics saviour in the illegaly occupied 6 counties.;)

washman3

[QUOTE



I don't think there's enough of those people. Sinn Fein have less than 10% of the seats in the Dail. If people in the north could vote would be a different story though[/QUOTE]

And therein lies the crux of the problem with the election of an Irish president, the political parties should have absolutely no say in who should be president, remember the position is supposed to be above politics, for too long the Aras has been a retirement home for party favourites,or put another way, yes men and nodding dogs.! McAleese excluded. time has come to judge candidates on their merits and visions.
i am not a SF supporter but that was a powerful statement from Adams and would not have a problem with him as president.
A few weeks ago the Kazak leader (dictator) who has committed terrible atrocities against his own people was feted,wined and dined and received a standing ovation when he addressed the European parliment. Few people in Ireland or Europe complained.