Intelligencer

Clinton Nixes Irish Trip

IT was no surprise that former President Bill Clinton has pulled out of the celebration to mark the 10th anniversary of the Irish peace process in Belfast in April.

Give the proximity of the April 10 to the Pennsylvania primary, Clinton had other vital work to do trying to help his wife overcome the delegate lead held by Senator Barack Obama by winning a smashing victory in the Keystone State.

Speculation in Ireland and elsewhere that Clinton's withdrawal was somehow linked to organizer Trina Vargo's links to Obama are simply wide off the mark. At this critical time Clinton needs to spend every waking hour pushing his wife's campaign forward.

Anyone who witnessed Clinton's recent virtuoso performance at an Irish fundraising event in Manhattan, one of four he attended on the night, can bear witness to his importance to the campaign.

Given that Senator Hillary Clinton needs a major victory in Pennsylvania to set her up for Indiana and North Carolina that follow soon after, it is hardly surprising that Clinton decided to stay and campaign in the U.S.

Also impacted by Clinton's decision to stay home is the GOAL dinner in Dublin on April 11. Clinton had also agreed to speak at the Third World charity dinner but now will also not attend.

Again, speculation that the Clinton absence was linked to controversial comments by GOAL founder John O'Shea when he criticized Irish government aid for Hurricane Katrina victims is also off the mark.

Silicon Valley Irish Gather

A NEW and potentially very powerful Irish group will hold it s first major get together this week at Stanford University in California. The Irish Technology Leadership Group will bring together over 300 of the top Irish in Silicon Valley for their first ever awards ceremony. Our sister publication, Irish America magazine, will be co-hosting and co-presenting the awards

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Nster.com