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IT is always a fun parlor game as to who the next ambassador to Ireland might be if a particular candidate wins the White House.
As we've stated before, if Senator Hillary Clinton wins the line will go out the door of leading Irish Americans who see themselves occupying the White House in the Phoenix Park. In terms of money raised the favorite might be Maureen White, wife of billionaire Steve Rattner and a huge fundraiser in her own right for the Clinton campaign.
Elizabeth Bagley, married to tobacco heir Smith Bagley of the R.J. Reynolds fortune, would also be a contender. Bagley is a former ambassador to Portugal under President Bill Clinton.
Senator Barack Obama's choice for Irish ambassador would likely by vetted by Senator Edward Kennedy, who had his sister appointed to the post when Bill Clinton became president. Kennedy would almost certainly have a say again on the destination of the office if Obama were elected.
Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago could undoubtedly have it if he wished. He raised most of the money for Obama's Senate run back in 2004 and has opened his contacts book for the Illinois senator for his presidential run.
Other Chicago names mentioned are prominent businessman Tim Mullen, who has raised hundreds of thousands for Obama, Texas businessman John Gorman, who has done the same, and Eric Kearney, a state senator from Ohio who has raised huge amounts for Obama, who his wife befriended in Harvard Law School. Lena Kennedy, a major fundraiser in California has also been mentioned.
