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Opposition mounts to Obama’s short stay in Ireland

Polls show Irish, Irish Americans are negative on quick trip

PATRICK O'BRIEN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Thursday, March 31, 2011, 7:54 AM

Updated Thursday, March 31, 2011, 10:40 AM

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There is renewed pressure on Barack Obama to stay longer than five hours in Ireland after polls of Irish Americans and Irish both found they would be insulted by a drop-in stay.

Some 58 per cent of those polled in Ireland by journal.ie said it would be insulting for Ireland if Obama only stayed a short time, while 72 per cent of Irish Americans stated the same in an Irish Central poll.

The Irish Times revealed on Thursday that part of the problem was the unprecedented number of countries that Obama would visit on the European trip including Ireland, Britain, France, and Poland in a few short days.

That has put an incredible strain on his security details who are anxious that he spends as little time as possible in Ireland as a result.

The time honored tradition of an American president drinking a pint of Guinness is also under scrutiny according to the Times who report that “ There is also concern at the possibility of the president being filmed and photographed “with a pint in his hand”, given the seriousness of the international situation, as in Libya.”

Sources say a major effort is underway to have Obama fly in on the 22nd and overnight in Dublin before going on to Britain the next day.

Nster.com

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32 Comments

15 - 32 | See all comments

Brann76 | Apr 04, 2011, 12:16 PM EDT

Its cheaper for the US to have him overseas, He costs billions more when he screwing up in the white house..He ia like a Bull in a China shop. Ireland hide your wallets and cover your ears, He is a thug that is full of Sh*t!

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christinamaria | Apr 02, 2011, 08:34 PM EDT

I suggest President Obama visit his own country more often. Seems he spends a lot of time abroad. Or, does he suffer from A. D.D ?

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longislander1940 | Apr 01, 2011, 02:11 PM EDT

And how much is this trip going to cost the American taxpayers? He and his wife are truly enjoying spending our hard earned dollars. Mr. President, stay home and and take care of our country.

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raynandsnow | Apr 01, 2011, 12:05 AM EDT

Give the President a break, seriously. He may need a bit of time to unwind while in Europe. I suppose its all down to where he feels safe and comfortable !

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cillowen | Mar 31, 2011, 10:23 PM EDT

His five hour pop-in speaks volumes as to erin's importance in the scheme of things.

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peterson | Mar 31, 2011, 09:28 PM EDT

He will spend lots of his taxpayer's borrowed dollars here -- 'tis the only benefit.

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ellenfromcork | Mar 31, 2011, 08:55 PM EDT

Jdl2269 and IAPRINCESS, no need to shout, it does not make your comments more impressive.

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warrenpoint00 | Mar 31, 2011, 08:12 PM EDT

How are the Americans going to manage to do without their leader for five hours.A repeat of what happened at the bottom of Mt Siani, maybe....Welcome to Ireland Mr President.Just hurry back home and lead those fat burger ass losers back to the promised land. P.S Mr President.About those tea party folk, yes sir same as the K.K.K

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IAPRINCESS | Mar 31, 2011, 04:47 PM EDT

YOU ARE SUCH A DISGUSTING BUNCH OF COMPLAINERS.WHERE ARE YOU MAKING YOUR LIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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irishbob | Mar 31, 2011, 04:12 PM EDT

This is one Irish-American that did not, and will not, vote for BHO. If he stays longer then 5 hours you better check your pockets to make sure your money is still there. He's robbed us blind already.

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pacifist | Mar 31, 2011, 02:53 PM EDT

He's welcome to drop by for a pint anytime!

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Bailey2000 | Mar 31, 2011, 02:18 PM EDT

Of course he is welcome to drop by...we need the tourists and the press coverage about something other than our flakey banks. Why we need to be indelibly associated with a beer brand I do not know.I hope he doesn't feel the need to hang around in bars. I seem to recall Mayor Bloomberg getting quite a lot of criticism for the same sort of presumption.

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JBRAFTREE | Mar 31, 2011, 01:50 PM EDT

SeamusMor:You're a strange person indeed!!!!!! Towngate, I hope you are not serious.

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Jeannie0121 | Mar 31, 2011, 01:35 PM EDT

It's one of Obama's stunts.... he just wants to be begged. He was probably planning on a longer visit the whole time. Please Ireland - Don't be fooled by his charm. This is a just a ploy for the Irish American vote. Everything he does is calculated. He didn't even know he had Irish blood in him... until his 2012 Reelection People told him this would be a good way to get the 40 mil. Irish Americans to vote for him.

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mamaginnty | Mar 31, 2011, 01:29 PM EDT

I can see by the comments, none of you voted for Mr Barack Obama. SeamusMor, for a minute there I though you were talking about America, you eegit.

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