Patricia Rooney, the wife of U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney, has given $250,000 to the Obama campaign split between the American Priorities Super Pac and American Bridge 21st Century, a group that does opposition research.
The ambassador, who owns the Pittsburgh Steelers, and whose support for Obama was critical in Pennsylvania in 2008 told the Sunday Times newspaper : “Over the past four years, we have seen first hand, President Obama’s effectiveness as a world leader. That is something very important to both Patricia and I. The rules of my government allow ambassadors and their spouses to make a contribution, which Patricia did.”
Rooney, one of the most beloved figures in American football, traces his Irish roots through his grandfather, Daniel Michael Rooney, who emigrated from Newry to Pittsburgh.
He is the grand-uncle of movie star Rooney Mara.
It was widely speculated that Rooney would resign early to support Obama’s re-election in Pennsylvania again but the president had been comfortably ahead in that state until very recently.
Despite the tightening it is unlikely that Rooney will resign to pitch in and help.
Other notable Irish Americans writing checks for Obama include “Irish Americans for a Democratic Victory” run by Stella O’Leary which has raised over $50,000 for the president.
Olivia Wilde, the Hollywood actress who has dual citizenship a gave $2,500 in June.
Rebecca Miller, daughter of Arthur Miller and a writer who is married to Daniel Day-Lewis and lives in Ireland has also donated several thousands.
Irish-based supporters of Obama held a fundraiser in Dublin last week but there was no reports on how much they raised.
23 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.johnshiel | Oct 25, 2012, 10:42 AM EDT
haven't seen any stories about Irish Americans providing financial support for Romney. Would be interested to read that, too. Aren't there any?
righton | Oct 23, 2012, 12:02 AM EDT
It's no secret there are plenty of Irish Democrats in the US. No secret big donors get ambassadorships. Bottom line is----this president of ours, I say respectfully, is a leftist who has not kept his promises, made a mess out of the economy, diminished us around the world and anti-colonialism is in his genes! The Irish love the latter, I suppose.
Smyrnian | Oct 22, 2012, 05:13 PM EDT
As the old saying goes, "A fool and his money are soon parted". Definitely suits this situation.
mylodt46556 | Oct 22, 2012, 08:38 AM EDT
Frosty38: Mylod... was not using the deaths for political gain! He was stating a moral certainty!
Opoets99 | Oct 22, 2012, 12:00 AM EDT
How many jobs could have been created in Ireland with that money instead of wasteing $250,000 on a loser politician.
Opoets99 | Oct 21, 2012, 11:56 PM EDT
Now there is you definition of an Eegit
Nicomax | Oct 21, 2012, 08:38 PM EDT
Cathie483; I believe most people still blame the Bush team vs. Clinton on missing the major signals they were given soon after they came into office. Some even feel Cheney convinced Bush all these warnings were no big deal, and even if there was an attack it could be used to launch their real goal of dominating the Middle-East and controlling its oil sources [i.e.invade Iraq.]
Helen Ferone | Oct 21, 2012, 05:54 PM EDT
Here's a thought for all those weathly people who are donating to campaigns. Why not use that money to feed the poor children in the applachian mtns. or the indians who still live on the reservation just to name a few. The politicians do not need the money, they have enough of their own.
susieq2 | Oct 21, 2012, 05:15 PM EDT
What a shame!! I did support Obama and gave him a chance. He was the biggest disappointment ever. Although Romney may not be perfect he is a much better choice.
Smyrnian | Oct 21, 2012, 04:41 PM EDT
Backing horses is a very risky business! No sure winners.
Cahtie483 | Oct 21, 2012, 04:25 PM EDT
Nicomax: I think Clinton was more responsible for 9/11 than the Bushes. He thought talking would stop terrorist, when in reality it just embolden them. Barack has blamed Bush for four years, when Bush was in office less than 9 months when 9/11 happened and he mannned up and didn't blame Clinton, but I do.
hollabackgurl | Oct 21, 2012, 03:24 PM EDT
She likes to back the winning horse. There's plenty who do.
Smyrnian | Oct 21, 2012, 03:01 PM EDT
Waste of money. There is a fool born every minute as they say.
Nicomax | Oct 21, 2012, 12:59 PM EDT
BHO's inattention may have cost 4 lives in Libya, but the Cheney/Bush cabal's lack of interest in bin Laden cost us 3,000 lives.
Frosty38 | Oct 21, 2012, 12:51 PM EDT
the mom of Glen was not happy that MITT was using her son for his political gain . Look it up and now mylodt4556 is doing it on here Look it up on google
borefield | Oct 21, 2012, 12:42 PM EDT
BrianO, you are so right! Poor Obama and all his Middle Class supporters, like Biden for instance will be on the welfare line in November. My heart bleeds for them.
BrianO | Oct 21, 2012, 11:29 AM EDT
I wonder if the us ambassador's wife in Lybia has the same opinion of obama.
jerrydonovan | Oct 21, 2012, 11:02 AM EDT
If I accept your position that the money was donated to enable the ambassador to keep his job,then we can accept that the Kroc broters et.al. are donating their money to Romney so that they can keep the money that they now pay in taxes.However as the government wil need the money to reduce the defecit,the middle class will have to make up the difference,so under Romney we can expect a tax INCREASE on the middle class.
PhlutiePhan | Oct 21, 2012, 10:49 AM EDT
It's called "buying" an ambassadorship. He just had his wife funnel the money. How about that Rocky Bleier?
mylodt46556 | Oct 21, 2012, 10:11 AM EDT
If she thinks that $250,000 will protect her husband, she should look at how Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, and three others: Sean Smith, a Foreign Service officer, and Tyrone S. Woods and Glen A. Doherty, was protected. Maybe they were to well liked by the Libyans.! Wonder how the airman who was flying the drone which filmed the attack/assassination/wanton murder(s)feels!
CelticQueenUSA | Oct 21, 2012, 09:46 AM EDT
Thank you Mrs. Rooney.
BrianO | Oct 21, 2012, 09:41 AM EDT
Just another of the struggling 99%ers that support obama.
faberm1 | Oct 21, 2012, 09:40 AM EDT
Of course she is. She's trying to pay off the president so her husband will keep his job.