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Irish American voters to come out in force during Presidential elections

Irish Republicans and Democrats organizing for big November push

MOLLY MULDOON,

Irish Voice Reporter

Published Wednesday, September 5, 2012, 7:19 AM

Updated Wednesday, September 5, 2012, 10:08 AM

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President Obama at the Dubliner pub in Washington DC on St Patrick's Day 2012

Photo by Newyorkirisharts.blogspot

Irish American voters will be turning out in high numbers on Election Day, according to prominent GOP and Democratic supporters.

“Whether you’re GOP or Democrat, Irish Americans are going to come out and vote,” Stella O’Leary, president of the Irish American Democrats told the Irish Voice.

Speaking ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina this week, O’Leary said that Irish American voters take polling day very seriously.

“One of the reasons why the Irish are great voters is that you can rely on them to vote when others won’t come out,” O’Leary said.

“The Irish sense of politics is very strong and definitely written into our genes. I think historically, it was passed down to us, the notion of having control over your own country. It’s in our blood.”

Thousands of Democrats are expected to cheer on President Barack Obama at the Bank of America football stadium during his convention speech this Thursday.

Irish American Democrats will honor Obama’s Irish and Kenyan ancestry. As well as the organization’s convention party on Wednesday evening, both Irish Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Collins and Elkanah Odembo, the ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to the U.S, will celebrate Obama's ancestry during a private event on Thursday.

In comparison to the 2008 election, O’Leary says there is not the same enthusiasm among voters.

“But this lack of enthusiasm, does not apply to the Irish,” she added.

"Irish American middle class concerns include the economy and jobs," O'Leary said.
Voters consistently sway towards the candidate promising job creation and a solid plan for economic growth, O'Leary added.

During the convention, Irish American Democrats will be promoting their new super PAC called McBLACKPAC. The new committee will lobby for the shared interests of both Irish Americans and African Americans.

“Since Obama’s Ireland trip, we have been talking to the African community about our dual ancestry and common agenda,” O’Leary said.

“Our biggest goal is to elect more African Americans and Irish Americans to Congress.”

The Irish American Democrats had originally planned to launch the action committee during the convention. Instead, O'Leary said they were simply introducing the concept during the convention and will launch the committee at a later date.

Meanwhile Jeff Cleary, head of Irish American Republicans, criticized Obama's economic policies ahead of the convention.

"He does not have a comprehensive plan,” Cleary told the Irish Voice on Tuesday.

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seanomelb | Sep 08, 2012, 08:40 PM EDT

What's a scammer?? somebody whom you dislike? a black American?? a Latino? the poor? Maybe we should allow racist types like you to draw up the electoral roll Oops! Your mates in some states are already passing such laws of inequality.

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jetsnoone | Sep 08, 2012, 05:16 PM EDT

Legally enrolled people are allowed to vote.... scammers should not be allowed, but you want them to vote because they will vote for our Abortionist In Chief, Obama.

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seanomelb | Sep 08, 2012, 02:31 AM EDT

If thats the case Briano why do you support a party that's legislating to prevent the poor,blacks and Latinos from casting a vote or making it difficult for them to do so. You support the party therefore you support their bigotry and racism.

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EphraimKibbey | Sep 07, 2012, 03:18 PM EDT

@BrianO - Why do you chose the property ownership or material definition of "belong to" in interpreting that statement by the DNC? We also "belong to" families, clubs, churches, political parties, school alumni associations, civic organizations as well as to America. Since WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT OF AMERICA, we belong to it by its definition. It is the ONE thing of which all Americans can agree to being a part. Only those who do not vote can deny belonging to the American government and they are still subject to its decisions. If I "BELONG TO" the NRA, few would jump to the conclusion that it owns me as a piece of property since I obviously do not follow their firearms industry driven voting advise. By the way, how could you forget living through Ford? I raise you a Truman and an Ike but I was VERY young!

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BrianO | Sep 07, 2012, 02:20 PM EDT

As to the Constitution, the powers are derived by the consent of the people,and if such a government becomes tyrannical it is the duty of the people to take up arms and install a new government.As long as free elections exist the government can be changed without taking up arms. the States, voted in a complete super majority into the house of representatives, the senate, and the executive,for the democrats. in 2010 the house democrats lost their majority because of the consent of the governed, as they decided the democrats were too far to the left. The nice thing also is that we will be able to change the tilt of the government again through this election. I lived through carter,clinton,obama, reagan, bush,bush,nixon, kennedy,johnson, seems like the system works and no one has total power.

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BrianO | Sep 07, 2012, 02:05 PM EDT

Eiriamach no government owns me, as for old white guys, how was Clarence Thomas treated by the tolerant left, Condee Rice seems to have climbed the ladder successfully, I always feel uncomfortable describing my fellow citizens by their color, sex, etc. as all citizens are the same in my eyes. I can in some instances argue against legislation that is aimed at someones color or sex, again because I consider all citizens the same. I've been in spots none of your ilk would have the guts to go into, so bring it.

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seanomelb | Sep 06, 2012, 08:18 PM EDT

Whats happened Briano your losing your logic.Seanmor you cannot have democracy in your own image it's not all about you,everybody has rights.

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eiriamach | Sep 06, 2012, 03:42 PM EDT

Briano, you always conveniently forget the words that follow in that famous document you like to quote: "That TO PRESERVE these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the CONSENT of the governed." Without a just government, you shouldn't expect to have your rights very long. In fact, if the states keep voting in GOP lawmakers, only old white guys will have the right to vote anymore, the rest of us will be deprived of our "consent," and then the "government" will no longer have legitimacy! That's how it works-- it's not between just you and God, who endows you with rights. It's between you, God, and all the rest of us, who elect the government most likely to protect our God-given rights. (BTW: we also expect to pay enough taxes to support the government.)

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Ned Daly | Sep 06, 2012, 03:10 PM EDT

Nah on election day we are all Americans who vote for the party who upholds our Freedoms and Bill of Rights

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BrianO | Sep 06, 2012, 12:49 PM EDT

the opening of the DNC Convention begins with the line, ""government is the only thing that we all belong to." I prefer not to belong to government, I prefer to be a free man with inalienable rights endowed by my creator. Belong to government, they wish to make slaves of us all, than you master.

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travelmpq | Sep 06, 2012, 10:28 AM EDT

Do the math: there's 16 trillion reasons to send Obama packing.

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EphraimKibbey | Sep 06, 2012, 01:30 AM EDT

Sadly, it was announced that they are moving the President's speech inside because of lightning from a thunderstorm that is on its way according to the meteorologists. Only about one half of the folks with tickets for the Arena will be able to fit into the smaller venue. As for lying, todays GOP has taken the art to a whole new dimension. What is especially annoying, they seem to think that we are all stupid enough or forgetful enough to believe them.

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Seanmor | Sep 06, 2012, 12:10 AM EDT

The first presidential election in which I voted was in 1968 - for Nixon. I had been a U.S.citizen only a few years at that time, having honorably served 4 years in the Marine Corps. While in the marines I often recited the Code of Conduct, the first article of which states: "I am a United States fighting man. I serve in the forces that guard our country and our way of life. I'm prepared to give my life in their defense". In those days "our way of life" did NOT include killing the unborn and promoting the homosexual agenda. As a proud military veteran and a law-abiding Christian, I support the presidential candidate who would protect the lives of the unborn and has respect for natural marriage and family life.

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redhand32 | Sep 05, 2012, 07:59 PM EDT

The most puzzling thing I find is that many of my fellow Irish Americans quickly forget their past when their ancestors got here. They faced the most vicious anti-immigrant bigotry by the "real" Americans who also rallied wrapped in the flag with their misspelled signs, and monkey caricatures of Irish people. They decried the "Gilded Age Social Darwinism that saw them as wage slaves in the mines, and tethered to the "companny store." Yet, some of these same Irish Americans handsomely appointed in their suits of amnesia, and rank ignorance cling to the Tea Bag movement with its anti-immigrant racist rhetoric, Islamophobia, wrapped in flag and "Founding Fathers" (many who despised Irish Catholics !), and can't wait until the next puzzle piece of the safety net falls off the board. They love the billionaires that hate them and control them. How quickly we forget !

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peterson | Sep 05, 2012, 07:01 PM EDT

Don't forget Paul Ryans Irish ancestry ! The GOP does have a action plan but the DFL does not want people to know what it is. Go on the internet and you can read about it. Meanwhile the U.S. debt has increased to 16 trillion dollars with Obama's reckless spending !!

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