I'm not so sure about the appointment part. From what I understand, the Hall has a great deal of influence over this process. Besides, what offices are there to which Egwene can make appointments? The only one I can think of it as ambassadors to other nations; the Hall and Ajahs run the rest.
The power of apppointment can be used either positively or negatively. Egwene can appoint sisters who oppose her to meaningless tasks or meaningless places without input from the Hall. An ally of Romanda could be sent to Arad Doman to distribute food, an ally of Lelaine could be given task of rat removal for Tar Valon, and if you really piss Egwene off you could be sent as a Windfinder instructor. On a positive note Egwene can make appointments that strengthen he position in the Tower. Silvliana is an example. Egwene got a very competetant Keeper and she made a gesture that would get Red support. Egwene can use appointments to weaken her foes and strengthen her supporters.
Egwene can rely on what, ten Aes Sedai? Out of approximately 1000? Elayne and Nynaeve aren't planning on living their lives in the Tower to be able to support her, so while trustworthy I really can't count on them as being reliable when it really comes down to it. As you say, she'll need 20 years for all the novices to become AS before she's able to rely on them. In the interrim, she'll have to fight tooth and nail to get anything done.
I think Egwene can rely on a few more than ten Aes Sedai. The Aes Sedai who really oppose Egwene are few in number. Most of the Aes Sedai will support Egwene because she is the Amyrlin. Romanda, Lelaine, and their handful of supporters will continue to oppose some if not most of Egwene policies, but I don't think they want to overthrow Egwene with Tarmon Gaidan just around the corner.
I guess we will have to disagree on the power of the moral suasion of Nyneave and Elayne. I think most Aes Seadai seeing Egwene being supported by the Queen of Malkier, defeater of Moggy, healer of the stilled, healer of the taint, healer of taint madness, healer of the weather, and the most powerful channeler in the Tower would give supporting Egwene a thought.
Egwene, a poor leader?
16/12/2010 05:59:15 PM
- 2051 Views
Egwene isn't supposed to be a leader. She's a dictator and a politician.
16/12/2010 08:21:13 PM
- 1208 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
16/12/2010 10:53:20 PM
- 915 Views
If the Shadow had removed Elaida so Egwene was Amyrlin whilst Rand was still Dark ...
16/12/2010 11:56:08 PM
- 872 Views
Same thing if Elaida was in charge when meeting w/ Dark Rand. *NM*
17/12/2010 02:10:20 AM
- 455 Views
Except Rand wouldn't go to the WT with Elaida in charge, without having to fight
17/12/2010 02:50:18 AM
- 979 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 03:07:40 AM
- 1014 Views
Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are?
17/12/2010 04:52:34 AM
- 787 Views
Re: Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are?
17/12/2010 05:44:30 AM
- 894 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 02:30:48 PM
- 931 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 08:25:39 PM
- 724 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
18/12/2010 05:06:21 AM
- 883 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
19/12/2010 08:41:31 PM
- 770 Views
Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends. *NM*
20/12/2010 12:14:55 AM
- 495 Views
Re: Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends.
20/12/2010 01:24:12 AM
- 822 Views
And the most painful torments were caused by Egwene
20/12/2010 09:31:44 AM
- 950 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
20/12/2010 12:57:42 AM
- 761 Views
She has the same power base as any Amyrlin - the Aes Sedai, the artisans, Guards & citizens of TV
17/12/2010 05:51:20 PM
- 879 Views
Ta'veren vs. Mary Sue
17/12/2010 07:33:28 PM
- 1190 Views
I see them as being the same thing.
17/12/2010 08:11:30 PM
- 866 Views
I don't think the case can be made for Rand having it easy
17/12/2010 11:04:58 PM
- 785 Views
I would say that in the grand scheme of things, Rand's had good to balance out the bad.
20/12/2010 06:27:35 PM
- 775 Views
Funniest statement I've ever seen on here.
18/12/2010 05:22:28 AM
- 884 Views
But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
20/12/2010 06:17:17 PM
- 1181 Views
Re: But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
22/12/2010 05:28:01 PM
- 948 Views
Yes, but for completely different reasons...
18/12/2010 12:35:23 AM
- 899 Views
You think Egwene has more power than Tuon?
18/12/2010 12:27:01 PM
- 745 Views
Definitely...
18/12/2010 03:24:12 PM
- 763 Views
I think comparing Egwene to McCain is asking for trouble on several fronts.
20/12/2010 12:33:04 AM
- 727 Views
She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 02:41:32 AM
- 769 Views
RJ is more powerful.
20/12/2010 03:25:49 AM
- 870 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 09:46:22 AM
- 853 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 09:55:03 AM
- 722 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 10:27:59 AM
- 778 Views