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71 percent say Obama would insult Irish with quick stopover

Thumbs down for Obama if it is only a five-hour stay

PATRICK ROBERTS,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, March 30, 2011, 7:18 AM

Updated Wednesday, March 30, 2011, 10:51 AM

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38 Comments

Some 71 percent of Irishcentral.com readers think U.S. President Barack Obama would insult the people of Ireland and Irish Americans, if he only stays five hours in the country.

Only 21 percent say that he is such a busy man that he needs to leave Ireland after a brief stopover.

Our poll was taken by over 1,000 readers after we revealed that early White House scheduling has Obama staying only five hours before departing for England on May 23rd.

One White House staffer described it as a ”hot minute” stay in Ireland, a quick thank you to Ambassador Dan Rooney, the former Pittsburgh Steelers owner who supported Obama for president in the key state of Pennsylvania

Irish government sources are also said to be dismayed and are hoping that a revised schedule will see him stay at least 24 hours in the Emerald Isle.

Right now he will arrive in Dublin and attend some official functions and then fly to Moneygall, his ancestral village, by helicopter and then fly on to London where he has a state visit planned.

Most Irish Americans polled in the survey felt that Ireland deserved more than a photo op.

Reader reaction was typified by a poster called Burr Robson who wrote

“Obama's trip is nothing but a photo op.”

However, McNamara 31 diasgreed

"Obama is a good president and a good man. I do hope he can spend a bit more time...But be sure if he does, they will just rip him apart here in the states for that also.”

Nster.com

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38 Comments

15 - 38 | See all comments

pokeymon | Apr 07, 2011, 06:40 PM EDT

As an American citizen I would like to say that it would be great if Obama decided to stay in Ireland and not come back. America would be better off!!! He loves the European way of governing so I believe he would be happier there. Who knows, Ireland may get your own professonal basketball team if he stays there.

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peterson | Apr 01, 2011, 09:10 PM EDT

He sure has a good time spending the Yank's borrowed money.

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mollycolleen | Mar 31, 2011, 08:08 PM EDT

It is irrelevant how much time the Prez spends in Ireland because after all is said and done, he couldn't care less about the island. As for Irish Americans, he figures they're Democrats anyway. As for "pacifist," your ugly and ignorant comments were way off target. The criticisms of most Americans, be they of Irish heritage or whatever, have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to with Obama's African parentage. An intelligent man to be sure, Obama was ill-prepared to lead the country and has surrounded himself with poor advisors.

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pacifist | Mar 31, 2011, 03:00 PM EDT

It doesn't matter how long he stays. From what I understand the majority of Irish-Americans weren't and aren't in favour of an African-American in the White House. Why? Their indigenous racism of course! The fact that he is a weak and ineffective president has little to do with their rejection of him. Their hostility is nothing less than their unChristian hatred of him because he's black.

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chesapeake | Mar 31, 2011, 01:18 PM EDT

The longer he is gone from the USA the better. It's about time that you reaslized that he is without experiencs and substance.

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JMFgalway | Mar 31, 2011, 12:08 AM EDT

Obama is an idiot and a hypocrite. He and his anti American left wing loons are out to destroy America. japan and Libya are falling apart and he is out playing golf and picking the NCAA Men's basketball tournament brackets. The American media gives him a pass and kisses his ass.

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IrishJets47 | Mar 30, 2011, 07:34 PM EDT

I find it hard to believes he have any Irish in him with a name like Obama. But a least that Obama not a gay President can't under stand why that people of Ireland would want to have a gay president to run their Country. Its a knows facts that there alot of gays man and women irish people in lreland what a shame that is for lreland and for those Irish - American people who grandparents and GreatGrandParenst left Ireland for a better life over a 100 years ago.

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jamieLM | Mar 30, 2011, 06:50 PM EDT

It's a win-win for Ireland. For all the Irish who hate Obama, it's only 5 hrs. - not 5 days. He might not come at all and make a trip to Libya instead. For all the Irish who like Obama, the key word is "MAY." He might end up staying longer than 5 hrs., since his itinerary is not set for sure. This is a wait-and-see deal. At least some of you are going to be happy, no matter what he decides to do. It's a win-win for the U.S., too. Some Americans will be glad to see him leave and others will be glad to see him return. Just an Irish-American way of looking at things. LOL

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BillyFitz | Mar 30, 2011, 04:44 PM EDT

Obama - maybe you and Bloomberg can meet up for a pint .. that would help seal the Irish vote ..

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antoman | Mar 30, 2011, 04:17 PM EDT

@Blackduck-Enda Kenny climbed a mountain once.

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Blackduck | Mar 30, 2011, 04:13 PM EDT

He makes the looser Carter look like a good leader,and a strong president.

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Blackduck | Mar 30, 2011, 04:01 PM EDT

Ireland is lucky they don't have him as its fearless leader!!

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mrkennedy | Mar 30, 2011, 03:55 PM EDT

Why should the 71% be insulted if they are going to elect David Norris as President?????

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fburke46 | Mar 30, 2011, 03:38 PM EDT

Hopefully you can convince him to stay for the rest of his term.

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antoman | Mar 30, 2011, 03:13 PM EDT

A tribunal should be held.Lasting no more than eight years.Costing the people at least half a billion euros.So this snub by Obama can be properly investigated.

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