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Michelle Obama felt Irish American political leaders had far too much power

New book says First Lady deeply resented Irish Catholic politicians influence

By
NIALL O'DOWD,
IrishCentral Founder
Published Monday, January 9, 2012, 7:14 AM
Updated Monday, January 9, 2012, 5:09 PM

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Michelle Obama photographed at an event hosting the Irish Taoiseach
Michelle Obama photographed at an event hosting the Irish Taoiseach
Photo by Google Images


First Lady Michelle Obama was “distressed” by how a tight circle group of  "white Irish Catholic" families completely "locked up" power in Illinois according to a new book.

Author Jodi Kantor of the New York Times in her new book “The Obamas”, to be published this week, stated that  Michelle “particularly resented the way power in Illinois was locked up generation after generation by a small group of families, all white Irish Catholic -- the Daleys in Chicago, the Hynes and Madigans statewide."

Michelle Obama particularly resented the Irish influence when working in Chicago City Hall for Mayor Richard Daley in the early 1990s Kantor writes.

She "disapproved of how closely Daley held power, surrounding himself with three or four people who seemed to let few outsiders in -- a concern she would echo years later with her own husband.” Kantor wrote.

When Valerie Jarret, herself African American, and Obama’s close friend was fired from City Hall by Daley, the Obamas were “horrified, their worst suspicions about the world confirmed." Kantor said.

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Ironically, Daley’s brother Daley is now Obama’s Chief of Staff but will likely be replaced if there is an Obama second term.

Daley’s tenure at the White House has not been a happy one. He was effectively demoted in November when the White House announced that he would share many of his duties with long time Obama aide Pete Rouse.

On November 8th last year The Wall Street journal reported that “On Monday, Mr. Daley turned over day-to-day management of the West Wing to Pete Rouse, a veteran aide to President Obama, according to several people familiar with the matter. It is unusual for a White House chief of staff to relinquish part of the job.”

The Obama White House has been critical of the new book

"The book, an overdramatization of old news, is about a relationship between two people whom the author has not spoken to in years," White House spokesman Eric Schultz stated. "The author last interviewed the Obamas in 2009 for a magazine piece, and did not interview them for this book.

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73 Comments

15 - 73 | See all comments

AmericanPatty | Jan 15, 2012, 12:03 PM EST
In a book by someone else who hates the Obamas, this is heresay!!!!!

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Mairin67 | Jan 11, 2012, 07:11 PM EST
Irish- American and Irish are two different things entirely. I felt she was very gracious on her visit to Ireland. Whatever this is abut Irish Americans in Chicago...I can tell you, here in Chicago, you never hear anything about Hynes or Madigan's "Irishness", probably because they are American. At least Daley visits Ireland on somewhat if a regular basis. Sounds like this book is a bunch of hooey.

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cillowen | Jan 11, 2012, 10:45 AM EST
michelle doesn't dare utter her true fellings on her and hubby's real and powerful masters. Both, jump when told and they'll ask how high? They who spotted Obama early as they did with Billy Clinton, another one of their manchurian candidates.

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IrelandNorth | Jan 11, 2012, 06:55 AM EST
Was disappointed with the O'Bama's abbreviated stay in Ireland last Spring, due to Icelandic ash cloud (?). Spent more time in the UK. Maybe their ealier experience of Irish-Americans 'coloured' their opinions of Ireland and the Irish? Still, a fetching photo of Michelle squaring up against Irish boxer Katie Taylor in the Irish Independent was good. Don't know what it is, but foxy femmes fatale African-American women move me deeply - wow!

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jenntVT | Jan 11, 2012, 12:01 AM EST
Who really cares what Michelle Obama says? This time next year Barack and Michelle will be packing their bags and moving back to Chicago.

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seansarto | Jan 10, 2012, 10:10 PM EST
And so all that the Irish philanthropy by said "white" Irish Catholic families has done is given an African agenda the ability to lock up power for it's own racial endeavors. Time to stop endorsing the knife in your back. The black political power mongers are the worst at endeavoring by racism..but you will have to defeat your own notions of yourselves as benevolent comrades "fighting the same battles" to see that...It is a myth to be used subversivily ACCORDING to these minds...their only schooling is in manipulating the media and perceptions to avoid resistence.

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walleyeman | Jan 10, 2012, 06:50 PM EST
I guess she forgot about Jesse James Jackson who hashad the black community in Chicago in his grip for decades.

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ciaradexy | Jan 10, 2012, 02:20 PM EST
Mrs Obama is dead right! Time for people to realise they are American not Irish and start considering the majority of Americans instead of their Irish american mates.

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Nelsonbarry | Jan 10, 2012, 12:23 PM EST
Amen, BillyFitz

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maggiepoo | Jan 10, 2012, 10:49 AM EST
Hey Woodman...it's his thesis I'd be wanting to read.....among other things!!!

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BillyFitz | Jan 10, 2012, 08:33 AM EST
I wonder if any of this has to do with moving St. Patrick's / shamrock ceremony to Tues the 20th? They are doing a good job of losing independents such as myself. Through out history, the one thing we Irish do .. is vote.

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rpmschevy | Jan 10, 2012, 03:22 AM EST
Hey John what has Michelle Obama done? First she is not an elected official, therefore does nothing but, oh yeah, spend millions of OUR money on trips. Second, Laura Bush was not an elected official, but was wife of the President. Her job was to be, oh my gosh, the wife of the President. M Obama's job is stay out of the Executive office as she is not PRESIDENT.

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JohnE67 | Jan 10, 2012, 02:43 AM EST
More muckraking...besides, as one who grew up in the Chicago area I will tell you that if you know a Daley or Madigan, you can get things done. Go against them, and forget it. Just look at the fact that Mayor RJ Daleys nephew recently got away (literally) with murder. His dad was as crooked as they come...Michelle Obama has done more good in 2.5 years than Laura Bush did in 8...

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bunkerisland | Jan 10, 2012, 01:15 AM EST
The book and the photo selected of Michelle both are suspect at this time and Daley is gone! Papa Daley was a despot!

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seansarto | Jan 10, 2012, 12:41 AM EST
They have a perverse perception of power that originates from a Mario Puzo novel...But they want it so bad they are willing to make it real...It is no coincidence that the Kennedys were murdered off by this Black agenda...Murder is never a coincidence...it is the obsession of those with a want for power.

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