The Irish American Democrats Political Action Committee has announced it will join together with African Americans in a new super PAC called McBLACKPAC, to lobby for the shared interests of both Irish Americans and African Americans and re-elect President Obama.
The PAC will officially debut at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC, next month but has already created a stir—it's been profiled by CBS and The Hill website, and even Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert have expressed future interest in covering it.
"The reaction has been amazing," irish Democrats founder Stella O'Leary told IrishCentral. "There is tremendous media interest in this story."
“Together we will work to elect Democratic candidates to Federal and State office who share our values on civil rights, immigration reform, education, workers' rights, justice, the environment and economic progress,” O'Leary stated in an email.
Speaking to IrishCentral, O'Leary stated: "President Obama's trip to Ireland was one of the highlights of his presidency and it also brought together many black and Irish legislators. We intend to follow up on that and create a new PAC that will help candidates of both backgrounds."
“McBlackPac works to elect candidates to federal and state office who uphold the American values that made it possible for our two groups to succeed,” O'Leary wrote in a statement to CBS Charlotte local news.
McBLACKPAC’s mission differs from that of the Irish American Democrats, who seek to "provide support to Democratic candidates for national and state office who promote peace, justice, and prosperity in Ireland.”
The idea for the committee came from US President Barack Obama’s shared Kenyan and Irish ancestry, and from a visit with the Irish and Kenyan ambassadors at the 2008 DNC, O’Leary told CBS Charlotte.
O’Leary said she’d change the name of the PAC if she received negative feedback about it; her other idea is the “Black and Green PAC.”
But polls so far have evidenced "a very good reaction," she told IrishCentral.
“I think McBLACKPAC is sexier,” O’Leary told CBS Charlotte.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.BrianO | Aug 22, 2012, 05:09 PM EDT
o'Mc'obamaullivanurphy. A true plastic paddy.
mlchellus | Aug 20, 2012, 02:29 PM EDT
This is a joke? Right? As an American of Irish decent, I have never seen any quota regulations to protect myself or other Irish Diaspora...This has to be a joke !! Along with 'Famine'/Holocaust/Genocide denier of the murders of millions of Irish....Along with little knowledge of the Irish slaves sold on the docks along with African slaves in the American south, where is the acknowledgement of the happening from any group in the US. This IS a joke...Right ????
Scrivner | Aug 19, 2012, 10:48 PM EDT
Lets see if we can organize a Polish-Cuban Pac to oppose those "other guys." We can serve Mojitos made with vodka. Or a Russo-Pottowatomi Pac, both have taken American lives-one in Korea and Nam the other at the Ft Dearborn Masecre in 1812. See, we can mash-up all sorts of groups, as long as we can shake them down for money. Yes, that's what's this McBlackPac is all about.
Nicoletta | Aug 19, 2012, 08:17 PM EDT
Now I've heard everything.
McNamara31 | Aug 19, 2012, 04:55 PM EDT
Peggy P What are your American values? Maybe those on Welfare and food stamps were put there when the GOP crashed the American economy in 2008 because of pure unbridled greed enabled by those "family values" Bush clan. Gimme a break.And for your insult about the "stupid Irish" if you're an example of American intelligence; God help us!
Peggy P | Aug 19, 2012, 03:54 PM EDT
There is a tremendous media interest in this movement? What media, the unbiased NBC, CBS, ABC, MSNBC, CINN? Elect candidates who uphold American values? Who, Those who endorse Welfare, Food Stamps, Abotions etc.? Hay Pittsburghkid. You hit the nail on the head but the stupid irish voters are getting their due. No wonder Ireland is sinking into the sea if they share these same values.
Pittsburghkid | Aug 19, 2012, 02:06 PM EDT
What about the discrimination against Irish migrating to the USA? What about the discrimination against Irish Americans for the past 40 years through Affirmation Action? What about the discrimination against Irish Americans though Diversity Quotas? Black Americans, think that Affirmative Action pay back against Whites for past discrimination is OK. As a matter of fact, Black American feel White American deserve to be discriminated against. White voted for Obama to create a Post Racial Era. Obama has extended the Racial Era.
bob40wil | Aug 19, 2012, 12:52 PM EDT
A McWHITEPAC has a nice ring to it. Oh yeah, that would be rascist, sorry.
mwm5414 | Aug 19, 2012, 10:24 AM EDT
As a real Mc I'd rather not be associated with the aims of this particular lost cause. Change it to O'Obama. Has a better ring to it, yes?
Tom Mo | Aug 19, 2012, 12:29 AM EDT
What I see McBlackpac attempting to assure is the reelection of a narcisstic socialist community thug as president, and the first openly retarded vice president, as vice president again. As opposed to two Brilliant Americans with business and political experience, who believe in America.
LilPaddy | Aug 18, 2012, 10:31 PM EDT
After reading the comments (for the vast majority of) MY FAITH IN MY IRISH BROTHERS AND SISTERS HAS BEEN RESTORED!!! And I believe it is correct when most seem to believe as I do, in that Irish Central is run by N. O'Dowd which is nothing more than a LEFT WING Kiss Obama's Ass (and that with or without a Birth Cert, school, passport or any other type of doc. records)!! This Obama guy is a three dollar bill; and he like Niall O'D. need to be put on the UNEMPLOYMENT LIST!!! God help America.... (with these Bastids).... AND WHY ARE WE ACCEPTING I.C. IN OUR EMAIL'S??? It only supports O'D. and O'Ballox!!
EphraimKibbey | Aug 18, 2012, 09:27 PM EDT
A marriage made in HEAVEN whatever the name! You can almost hear the angels sing "Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself." Four More Years and both houses here we come! Thank You Mitt, and Thank You Paul; you both inspire us one and all!
Byrne P | Aug 18, 2012, 08:43 PM EDT
Obviously Ms O'Leary has never been to Ireland, real Irish people would have nothing to do with this, when you consider that in November 97% of black people in this country will vote for Obama simply because he is black and if that is'nt racist I dont know what is.
Renelda M. | Aug 18, 2012, 07:14 PM EDT
Creativity aboundds with this campaign idea. However, I think this pac will be more to the advantage of the Irish Dems than to Black American Dems. But we shall see...
BrianO | Aug 18, 2012, 07:05 PM EDT
What is a teabagger holla?
BrianO | Aug 18, 2012, 07:04 PM EDT
Holla, it's nice to know a person who is mixed race can't be racist, that would mean 90% of americans aren't racist because we all are mixed. Obama did take over the health care system with beautiful items like a real estate tax, bank levy, medicare grab and thatsjust the stuff discovered in the 2800 page document. I'm still waiting for the save from economic collapse, you know do what obama says and unemployment will be below 6%, not increase the defecit by one thin dime. Glad AlQaeda is defeated some one should tell the troops.
hollabackgurl | Aug 18, 2012, 06:31 PM EDT
The idiotic bombast of the poster below me called BippyBellito is the reason why people can't stand TeaBaggers. No one except blockheads believes Obama is a socialist. No one except a moron thinks he's a racist (he's mixed race). His administration has done very well reforming Health Care, saving us from the economic collapse of the Bush years and killing Bin Laden and defeating Al Qaeda. I'll vote for him rather than Mr Swiss Bank Accounts.
BippyBellito | Aug 18, 2012, 04:41 PM EDT
The Obama Administration is the most racist administration in the history of the US since slavery was abolished. It is lead by a Socialist who believes that government is always the answer. To have God Fearing, Hard working Irish involved with this Fraud of an administration is an embarrassment to all of the hard working, family centric, Irish families both still in Ireland and the U.S. For Shame....
BippyBellito | Aug 18, 2012, 04:34 PM EDT
It's about as congruent as a Hottentot on an iceberg with a shamrock in his hair.
Reidism | Aug 18, 2012, 03:38 PM EDT
pilib04, I don't think you understand what 'Mc' is! Look up some Irish names and you'll find out! It's as common as 'O' in a name.
71regiment | Aug 18, 2012, 03:13 PM EDT
The Dems must really be desperate. No wonder with Joe "Backfire" Biden. If the GOP did this, the Liberal Left would be screaminh
71regiment | Aug 18, 2012, 03:04 PM EDT
These are the idiots that give the Irish a bad name on St Patricks Day
DebbyDew | Aug 18, 2012, 02:19 PM EDT
It's not racist nor is it a bad thing for people to try working together rather than gathering to hate each other. It's an effort in a positive direction; however, I do believe the name of the PAC has a lot to be desired. Sounds like a really bad hamburger...with no pickles. I love it. Can't wait to see them launch at the convention.
dickmac | Aug 18, 2012, 01:58 PM EDT
Indeed a compliment and a "Thank You" for the support of the Black Community once again. Remember history during An Gorta Mor when the Black Commnity sent help to the victims in Ireland.
pilib04 | Aug 18, 2012, 01:43 PM EDT
I have no problem with "O'Black pac" but mcblackpac is somewhat offennsive, as in "mick". Stella O'Leary was unable to figure that out on her own? I wonder how the Ancient Order of Hibernians feel about the MickBlack Pac. You can spell it anyway you want and it is still offensive. I suggest O'Black Pac or her Green and Black Pac. But get rid of the mc/mick moniker. Not funny.
hollabackgurl | Aug 18, 2012, 01:11 PM EDT
The GOP says: $40 trillion in Ryan debt good. $5 trillion in Obama debt bad. Can't lose with thinkers like that.
Maggie47 | Aug 18, 2012, 01:09 PM EDT
I agree with Tom. I've been in this country for over 45 yrs. I have yet to run into an irishman/woman looking for a handout for the govt.
Tom Mo | Aug 18, 2012, 12:57 PM EDT
Other than Stella O'Leary just who are the so called Irish "leaders"? Left wing socialists looking for free stuff are not leaders. Mcblackpac is racist. I agree with Tom G. Bollocks.
MegK311 | Aug 18, 2012, 12:55 PM EDT
Now I have heard it all. What a bunch of #%@**#. Somebodys brain is on overload.
Mike7571 | Aug 18, 2012, 12:43 PM EDT
McLoosersPAC
tomgallagher | Aug 18, 2012, 11:48 AM EDT
Bollocks.
hooligan6a | Aug 18, 2012, 11:20 AM EDT
I guess you don't like me saying democrats, Irish and black want free government handouts.
bob40wil | Aug 18, 2012, 11:17 AM EDT
What a load of bull hockey.
King55 | Aug 18, 2012, 11:10 AM EDT
Let's be honest. Isn't this new political group's intention a bit self-righteous and even Irish-American-centric? Why not a PAC that brings ALL whites and blacks together, united for common cause? This move screams of the need for attention. It's an advertisement for Irish liberals to exclaim, "You see, we're not bigoted!" I've never understood Irish who have to be Irish 100% of the time.
BrianO | Aug 18, 2012, 10:51 AM EDT
The McMuffin is classic. The sixteen year old understands that MacDonalds was the biggest supporter for the Olympics and sponsored the Olympic athletes, this was her opportunity to say thank you to MacDonalds and give them some good publicity. M. Obama couldn't grasp that concept.
weeknocky | Aug 18, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT
Bullhockey!!!!
PhlutiePhan | Aug 18, 2012, 10:41 AM EDT
Recently on Jay Leno, Mrs. Obama told Gabby Douglas to stay away from McMuffins. In addition, what about Jodi Kantor's book in which the same Mrs. Obama stated her "resentment" for Illinois Irish Catholic politicians. They brought in a liberal Jewish mayor to run Chicago and to ascent the black population to the detriment of every other ethnic group. How is that working out with all of the murders?
wilhoef | Aug 18, 2012, 10:35 AM EDT
All of my life, I was never racist. Since ObaMao was elected with his racist tendencies; i.e. African-Americans for Obama, I have found that I am leaning toward being racist. Now, with such a PAC, I have turned the corner and I am racist. What the hell is going on with people who think that a PAC made up of Blacks and Irish is really a good thing? O'Leary, you should be ashamed to call yourself an American. I wish you nothing but bad tidings in your effort to spread racist tendencies.
Springfield9 | Aug 18, 2012, 10:25 AM EDT
An idle 1/2 of a brain is the devil's workshop ........ this is beyond pathetic.
cillowen | Aug 18, 2012, 10:20 AM EDT
mcyellowpac, mcwhitepac, mcbrownpac, mcanglopac, mcjewpac, mcmuslimpac. who knew.
bogsidebunny | Aug 18, 2012, 10:08 AM EDT
What ya expect hooligan6a? This site is controlled by the Irish/Catholic Liberals. Anything posted that's against Obama and his Socialist agenda is verboten. That's cause ireland is more Socialist than most countries. It's demonstrated by the HSE (Their national Health service, which is crap, their national bus & train service which is crap and their national police force which is about effective as the Boy Scouts of America when it comes to fighting crime). Obama wants to nationalize America's infrastructure according to his plans for a Socialist Republic of America. And, IC will probably be the National "educational" paper.
mairint | Aug 18, 2012, 10:04 AM EDT
This story sounds really weird - are we to understand the aim is to pack Mr. Obama out of office? What has the 'Irish' all steamed up about him? Other than pay a visit to Ireland, which now appears to go with the office of whoever occupies the White House, I agree Obama has not done anything for Ireland - but then how could he? His Irish 'roots' sure are well watered down. It does seem the Dems. will have to scrape the bottom of every barrel they can find to keep Obama in office. We agree Obama has been a disaster as President but then where would he have got the necessary experience? He certainly has danced to the tune of the upper echelons and followed their dictates. Black or Green - who cares what colour.
hooligan6a | Aug 18, 2012, 10:01 AM EDT
IC are you going to censor me again?? Just because I disagree with you?? That is what dictators do.
torbreezy | Aug 18, 2012, 09:59 AM EDT
How many "f's" are there in the word "p u f f" as in "p u f f" piece? This is clearly and unequivocally a "puff(?)" piece and is not worthy of your website
BrianO | Aug 18, 2012, 09:51 AM EDT
Amazing how all Obama stories are positive on Irish Central.