U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney has signaled that he intends to step down to personally help with the Obama re-election effort.
In an interview with the Irish Times, Rooney stated he was thinking of returning to the US soon.
“I would probably have to resign to campaign for President Obama’s re-election,” Rooney says. “I think that would be the number one thing I can do for him, and I’d be willing to do so. He’s the best man for the job, without question.”
Rooney played a key role in Pennsylvania when he endorsed Obama in 2008. As owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, his backing in a critical state meant a tremendous amount to Obama.
Rooney told The Times that the Obama trip would play very well with Irish Americans.
“They’ll say, ‘Gee – he’s gone to Ireland. Our immigrants – mother and father, grandfathers – that’s where they came from. It’s nice for him to be going back.'"
If Rooney does step down there will be considerable interest in who will be succeeding him.
One of the front runners is said to be powerful Washington lawyer Mark Tuohey, a former advisor to the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland. Tuohey has also served as a legal advisor to the office of Ireland's attorney general. He currently chairs Cooperation Ireland U.S., an organization involved in cross-border reconciliation efforts.
Another possible applicant is Maureen White, one of the top Democratic Party fundraisers who raised millions for Obama. She is married to Steve Rattner a very wealthy private equity investor.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.thomasbyrne | Apr 25, 2011, 12:08 AM EDT
or pro-life if you will
thomasbyrne | Apr 24, 2011, 11:38 PM EDT
@powsmias, they are either pro-choice or anti-abortion....people dont like killing babies
JimmyHut | Apr 24, 2011, 10:29 PM EDT
obama would have a better chance of re-election if Jesus himself would step off the cross to help out, and that ain't gonna happen either. I can't see Jesus helping out a muslim destroy the United States of America. Oh yeah, and to Maureen and Steve, not all the money in the world would prevent his defeat in 2012. 2010 has already spoken for that. He can go back to Kenya where he was born.
peterson | Apr 24, 2011, 09:02 PM EDT
The way the polls are going in the U.S., Obama probably won't be re-elected along with many many others in the Democrat Party. He appears to have violated their constitution several times. What is happening to the once great United States of America ??
micaleen | Apr 24, 2011, 08:23 PM EDT
I think this loser is only coming to Ireland hoping he might be able to get a birth certificate. And on another matter anyone who would consider abortion on demand is most definitely pro-abortion.Tough luck about the birth cert, Osama, I think that right goes back only to Grandparents. Try Kenya or somewhere.
OurselvesAlone | Apr 24, 2011, 07:51 PM EDT
@maryjeandc I wasn't pro-choice, but the polar opposite, but I am now re-evaluating my position from a eugenics point of view to improve the gene pool. THANK YOU. This Barack Obama visit is strictly his gig; the Obama donkey minstrel show should be great fun as we have lacked :"show Irish since vaudville. bet B.O. can't wait to get back to the states to work on his Lou Hudson Wonder(white) bread basketball for the next election. Sure hope the Kerry folks get an apology for Obama's county of Offaly's Seamus Darby push on Tommy Doyle in the back in 1982.
Nicoletta | Apr 24, 2011, 06:53 PM EDT
Mr Rooney's dear and most likely, devout Catholic ancestors must be turning in their graves! I'm hoping he hasn't the temerity to claim the faith of his fathers - he's supporting the most anti-life president in history.
kilarney06 | Apr 24, 2011, 06:34 PM EDT
I think Rooney is wasting his time. And Obama being Irish? I haven't him (OBAMA) ackknowlege that part of his heritage. Irish Folk (In Ireland) seem to tout that part of him. Oh well. I am anIrish American who won't be doing ANYTHING to get him re-elected.
cartersmate35 | Apr 24, 2011, 05:17 PM EDT
Hurrah! It is sometimes very hard being Irish, but NEVER too hard! I am so happy to be able to back our present president. I too, believe he is the best man for the job. Most Americans have gotten the idea that messes that are caused by other people are not always cleaned up IMMEDIATELY. I find, at 75, that Americans are a demanding bunch of spoiled brats. They want everything NOW. They think they should have the same kind of home their parents have...NOW, at the tender age of 23! We all had to climg the ladder one step at a time, and my children know that is what THEY have to do. I am proud to say that each hasn't missed a beat! They are gradually WORKING their way up the ladder of life!
pilib04 | Apr 24, 2011, 05:15 PM EDT
Ronney's connection to the Steelers does not impress me. However, I don't live in Pennsylvania. Steeler nation certainly will listen to Rooney's pitch. Besides, right now Obama is the only Irish candidate in the race with a lock on a nomination.
Pollyjane | Apr 24, 2011, 05:08 PM EDT
Mr Rooney's credentials aside, M White is the wife of disgraced Steven Rattner who lied and cheated jail time by refusing to answer what was obvious. Hopefully he will be indicted for pay to play, like Hevesi. Indeed, he was so used to doing what he does that he goes on unfazed, now trying for a media 'car czar' handle. He was not the car czar, but removed himself when his scandal started to heat up. How would Ms. White be honored by this? Why not tell the truth when referring to people who used pension monies for their own gain? I hope someone else fits the job, cause then Stevie will continue his fraudulent ways, with blessings.
Irishjule | Apr 24, 2011, 04:18 PM EDT
It is a sad day when Irish Americans will vote for a loser just because somewhere way back his mother had Irish ancestors. He is not only pro-choice/abortion, but he said that a baby that survives abortion should be denied medical care and left to die! If you want to know the truth, don't read the New York Times and don't listen to the mainstream media. Check out his voting record and watch what he does..not what he says. You can not trust him!
maryjeandc | Apr 24, 2011, 01:22 PM EDT
Glad Mr. Rooney is going to work for the re-election. I'm a pro-choice Irish American Catholic...most of us are pro-choice.
Helen Ferone | Apr 24, 2011, 12:55 PM EDT
Don't do us any favors, Mr. Rooney.
powsmias | Apr 24, 2011, 11:51 AM EDT
thomasbyrne: they are pro abortion do you have a brain?
Pittsburghkid | Apr 24, 2011, 10:57 AM EDT
In Pittsburgh, Rooney forced the government to build them a football statium. Rooney got the statium even though the tax payer voted the statium down. How was this done? By political slight of hand by then Mayor Murphy. Who was fail to run from another term, because he would be voted out. Rooney went to Ireland, and the bottom fell out of the Irish economy. Now we get him back.
thomasbyrne | Apr 24, 2011, 10:46 AM EDT
No one is pro-abortion you binhead.
John G. Hogan | Apr 24, 2011, 10:37 AM EDT
Now I am really glad the Packers won the Super Bowl..........Ruiney and 0, perfect together!
TheOriginalWesW | Apr 24, 2011, 10:11 AM EDT
Who ya all kidding, Rooney has to get home to help sort out his number one interest, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the pending strike that would cost him millions!
katielady | Apr 24, 2011, 09:44 AM EDT
Good for him. I am certainly going to do whatever I can.. For anyone who is on the Faux News planet, please read the NYTimes article on his mother, Ann Dunham. Yes, he was born in Hawaii. Yes, the newpaper publishing the hospital announcement is true and accurate. Publishing announcements, btw, is a requirement to legalize many documents; whether it be foreclosures, estate settlements etc. No paper would subject themselves to possible perjury. I am prolife.. and that includes protecting the lives of women who may be unable to withstand a pregnancy. I am against the death penalty, guns, making the rich richer at the detriment to the middle class and the lower class or workers. I am pro union, as in the PBA,teachers', auto workers, civil rights etc.. President Obama comes from a background that ensures that which anyone emigrates to the US to find.
francisquinn | Apr 24, 2011, 09:42 AM EDT
Mr Rooney should be ashamed of himself....an Irish Catholic supporting the most PRO Aborition Pres we have ever had....Jerko Rooney plese ask BO about his vote while a state schmuck in Ill on Partial birth aborition....it was disgraceful....Rooney thing about it....
francisquinn | Apr 24, 2011, 09:33 AM EDT
What is this man talking about? Irish Americans have intelligence and will vote for whom they think is best for the job!