Should the Green Party hold on to Patricia McKenna?

[FamilyGuy]

Patricia McKenna represents that rare breed of Irish Politician - one who puts principles before power.

I disagree with you, even though I would agree with most of what Patricia McKenna says. If she had principles though, she would have left the Greens when they entered Government while US troops continue to use Shannon

[thebrom]

The Green Party is not worthy to have Patricia McKenna. They have gone Yellow, she is still Green. They have totally sold out to have a seat at the top table and a place at the top of the steps of government buildings yesterday for the surrender statement.

You're a bit late. We're in government for a year now.

Oh no, I am not. They are continuing to sell out, each and every day. Not that I really care at this stage, having handed back my membership card last year. They have proved that they are power hungry like all the others.

They are continuing to sell out, each and every day.

You're insane. Good thing you're out of the party.

[yehbut_nobut]

thebrom - It's arrogant and smart-alecky answers like some of yours that turn so many people off.

Having voted green in the last election, then been disgusted with them joining the FF government, I felt a small glow rekindle again when I heard Trevor Seargent on the radio during the week.

When he put his case for the Lisbon treaty, the interviewer went for the lazy response, "but your party colleague Patricia Mc kenna says the exact opposite..."
His polite answer, "As is her right to do so."

Having many diverging views within one organisation is one of the great strenghts of the Green Party. If you can manage to keep that up you will (re)gain respect.

However, If you the the best you can manage is smart ar$e quips, you can forget it.

[FutureTaoiseach]

I'm hoping the no vote may strengthen the "No" camp within the Greens, and ultimately pave the way for the no side in the Green party to win the next vote on whether to support a yes/no vote in the next referendum on the latest offspring of the dead EU Constitution - or maybe better still to oust Gormley from the leadership. You should keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

[KingKane]

There is one seat minimum available to whomever of Mary Lou, Patricia, Joe and whoever Labour put up next time in Dublin. If the Greens run someone else they would be mad. They would lose all the name recognition and basically hand the seat to MLM.

[ajcahill]

Patricia McKenna has been very vocal in opposing the Green Party on a number of fronts.
Nothing wrong with this; but, since the 2007 GE, she has opposed Green participation in government, several Green policy initiatives, gone against the Green national consensus and blatantly opposed a unified Green campaign on Lisbon.

The Greens (like the PDs before them) are proving that they are quite capable government Ministers; promoting a Green agenda but still being a cohesive part of government.
This augurs well for them because it will attract more floating voters to their cause.

However, the position(s) adopted by Patricia McKenna (who insists her credentials are greener than the others) has caused confusion; and has muddied the waters of the Green agenda.

There is a definite major divergence of opinions.

This happened within FF, the Workers Party, the Labour Party, the IRA, Sinn Fein.

In some instances, the discontented left; at other times, they were expelled.

Which way will the Green party....or Patricia McKenna go?

The Yellows have shown themselves to be devoid of principles or barter skills, they got nothing for dropping their principles.

[Pidge]

I'm hoping the no vote may strengthen the "No" camp within the Greens, and ultimately pave the way for the no side in the Green party to win the next vote on whether to support a yes/no vote in the next referendum on the latest offspring of the dead EU Constitution - or maybe better still to oust Gormley from the leadership. You should keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Wait a moment, didn't you argue that because Labour voters favoured the no side, Labour should become more eurosceptic?

Considering that Green voters favoured the yes side, surely the Greens should become madly pro-Europe?

[Brocolli]

Patricia McKenna has been very vocal in opposing the Green Party on a number of fronts.
Nothing wrong with this; but, since the 2007 GE, she has opposed Green participation in government, several Green policy initiatives, gone against the Green national consensus and blatantly opposed a unified Green campaign on Lisbon.

The Greens (like the PDs before them) are proving that they are quite capable government Ministers; promoting a Green agenda but still being a cohesive part of government.
This augurs well for them because it will attract more floating voters to their cause.

However, the position(s) adopted by Patricia McKenna (who insists her credentials are greener than the others) has caused confusion; and has muddied the waters of the Green agenda.

There is a definite major divergence of opinions.

This happened within FF, the Workers Party, the Labour Party, the IRA, Sinn Fein.

In some instances, the discontented left; at other times, they were expelled.

Which way will the Green party....or Patricia McKenna go?

Surely Patricia has not opposed the Green Party at all. She has just been on the minority side in a number of the Democratic decisions we took.
She stood for the Leadership and failed to get elected but got a very good vote. She was very gracious in her acceptance speech.
She voted against the Greens going into Government. That was her entitlement.
She voted against the Greens taking a Yes stance and in favour of the Greens taking a No stance on Lisbon. Neither of these votes was successful as they required a 2/3 majority.
Patricia has made a huge contribution to the Green Party and I have no doubt she will continue to do so.

[Brocolli]

Patricia McKenna has been very vocal in opposing the Green Party on a number of fronts.
Nothing wrong with this; but, since the 2007 GE, she has opposed Green participation in government, several Green policy initiatives, gone against the Green national consensus and blatantly opposed a unified Green campaign on Lisbon.

The Greens (like the PDs before them) are proving that they are quite capable government Ministers; promoting a Green agenda but still being a cohesive part of government.
This augurs well for them because it will attract more floating voters to their cause.

However, the position(s) adopted by Patricia McKenna (who insists her credentials are greener than the others) has caused confusion; and has muddied the waters of the Green agenda.

There is a definite major divergence of opinions.

This happened within FF, the Workers Party, the Labour Party, the IRA, Sinn Fein.

In some instances, the discontented left; at other times, they were expelled.

Which way will the Green party....or Patricia McKenna go?

Surely Patricia has not opposed the Green Party at all. She has just been on the minority side in a number of the Democratic decisions we took.
She stood for the Leadership and failed to get elected but got a very good vote. She was very gracious in her acceptance speech.
She voted against the Greens going into Government. That was her entitlement.
She voted against the Greens taking a Yes stance and in favour of the Greens taking a No stance on Lisbon. Neither of these votes was successful as they required a 2/3 majority.
Patricia has made a huge contribution to the Green Party and I have no doubt she will continue to do so.

[imokyrok]

Patricia McKenna is one of those 'if you're for it - I'm agin it " individuals.