Former President Bill Clinton recently said that he could be eligible to become a candidate for the next Irish presidency.
The Irish Independent reports that while speaking with CNN’s Piers Morgan at the Clinton Global Initiative on Tuesday, Clinton said, “If I move to Ireland and buy a house, I can run for president of Ireland because of my Irish heritage.”
Similarly, Clinton also said that he could be eligible to run for president of France, “Any person anywhere in the world that was born in a place that ever was a part of the French empire, if you move to, if you live in France for six months and speak French you can run for president of France.”
Clinton was born and raised in Arkansas, which was bought from France by the U.S. as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
While Clinton admitted that the chances of him running for office in France are poor, he did poll well in a theoretical poll about his chances in France.
Between France and Ireland, it would seem more likely for Clinton to get involved with Ireland. He served as a vital part of the peace process in Northern Ireland during his run as U.S. President.
Clinton served as President of the U.S. in two successive terms from 1993 - 2001. His wife Hillary Clinton is currently serving as Secretary of State under President Obama.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.esatdigiwank | Oct 02, 2012, 04:45 AM EDT
Ireland , the 'failed state should be annexed coming future, by you statesiders. Bill won't have any criteria to fulfill then. Cakewalk.
Thomas84 | Oct 01, 2012, 02:24 PM EDT
Hey , i like clinton and all , but i would rather if the americans sent arnie over to us. How priceless would it be to hear him in china representing ireland :D
paddyo1942 | Sep 29, 2012, 09:39 PM EDT
The most admired president in the U.S.; Also the most despicable and immoral. He would be perfect for the current Ireland, a failed nation.
Stiofain | Sep 29, 2012, 05:10 PM EDT
What the "heck" has Lewinski got to do with his remark about the presidency?
DanOLoingsigh | Sep 29, 2012, 02:31 PM EDT
Seanmor - Thanks...that's why I quoted DeV as one example, hence use of eg and NOT ie...
Seanmor | Sep 29, 2012, 11:31 AM EDT
DanOLoinsighin and leahkinsella: Eamonn de Valera was NOT the only foreign born president of the Irish state; Erskine Childers who became president in 1973 was of English birth.
Gavin | Sep 29, 2012, 06:12 AM EDT
@leahkinsella. Éamon de Valera.....
DanOLoingsigh | Sep 29, 2012, 03:33 AM EDT
leahkinsella - NOT a requirement to be born in Ireland (eg DeV)...All one needs is to be a Citizen...and over 35...so a whole lot of people are or could become eligible...
cillowen | Sep 28, 2012, 09:07 PM EDT
rhode scholar , to feed on the bones - sharks devour schmucks Shatter will want the prezzy for self.
BrianO | Sep 28, 2012, 08:32 PM EDT
he also said "I did not have sexual relations with that woman miss Lewinski." to be fair I believe he was refering to his wife as "that woman".
KevinKehoe | Sep 28, 2012, 07:08 PM EDT
To be honest, I'd say he win by a land-slide. Irish people know he was very instrumental in bringing peace to this island and they know the US economy was strong while he was in the big seat. Bring him on.
leahkinsella | Sep 28, 2012, 06:54 PM EDT
we admire you bill clinton but the candidates for the Irish Presidency must be BORN, RAISED AND LIVE IN IRELAND! Bill was joking, he knows the rules of the Irish Constition and this is wishful thinking on the part of some Irish Americans.
Maggie47 | Sep 28, 2012, 06:27 PM EDT
I would like to see him run for prime minster. He would get the economy going.
Smyrnian | Sep 28, 2012, 04:43 PM EDT
By all means, please take him, the idiot socialist Obama and Monica Lewinski as well.
Will Hamilton | Sep 28, 2012, 04:19 PM EDT
This is a bit like being too nice to your neighbours to the point they get the mistaken impression you wouldn't mind if they moved in. It's bad enough paying our native chancers a ridiculous salary for an office that should be abolished. He'd win by a landslide because the Irish mentality is such that anyone from anywhere else is assumed to be better than the home grown political potatoes.
aloistmartin | Sep 28, 2012, 03:28 PM EDT
Another Reason not to put away your Balaclava`s Brothers ~
Happyhippo | Sep 28, 2012, 02:51 PM EDT
Well it pays pretty good, and the best thing there's no law against wearing your pants at half mast if its for a good cause, and as everybody knows the GFA was one hell of a good cause,its such a mad wonderful idea,if he was to put his name forward, i'm pretty sure the other candidates would even vote him in.
Seanmor | Sep 28, 2012, 02:13 PM EDT
While reading the above article (which I took with a grain of salt), I realized that there are a few good reasons why the Irish electorate should vote for Billl Clinton if they given a chance. As U.S. President Clinton made a significant contribution toward the G.F.A., which is a blessing to all of Ireland, North and South; at one stage of the peace process, President Clinton indicated an interest in teanga na nGael; if Clinton should become Uachtarán na hÉireann, he would be folling in the footsteps of Douglas Hyde and Erskine Childers who were also Protestants. I never voted in any election in the Irish state, having left the place as a teenager, but I would support the former U.S. president if ran for office in Ireland, as would my wife, a New England Methodist and a D.A.R member.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 28, 2012, 01:53 PM EDT
Hillary in the US in 2016 and Bill in Ireland in 2018. The perfect combination to cement Irish-American relationships! But then Bill is already President of the World for as long as he wants to keep that post. Does this French Law mean all Canadians are eligible to be elected in France?
debimcguin | Sep 28, 2012, 01:52 PM EDT
I think that would be brilliant!
micky74007 | Sep 28, 2012, 01:28 PM EDT
If you want him, you can have him. Take his buddy obama too,please.
gregoryny | Sep 28, 2012, 12:12 PM EDT
Hell If that happened, I would get my Ireland Passport out and get over there
Maggie47 | Sep 28, 2012, 11:51 AM EDT
Go for Billy Boy. You have my vote
Porickseantuny | Sep 28, 2012, 11:03 AM EDT
It's too cold in Ireland to run around with your pants down at your ankles.
Liam3494 | Sep 28, 2012, 10:38 AM EDT
My calendar must be out of date, it says September 28th, but clearly it must be April 1st!
Silling | Sep 28, 2012, 10:21 AM EDT
Would he permit the monument to Che Guevara in Galway Bay ?
Gavin | Sep 28, 2012, 10:13 AM EDT
I'd vote for him