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Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > People and Politics > 96 percent in Ireland say they would vote for Obama in US election - Puzzled Americans ask why do Irish in Ireland dislike the GOP so much?

People and Politics by Patrick Roberts

96 percent in Ireland say they would vote for Obama in US election - Puzzled Americans ask why do Irish in Ireland dislike the GOP so much?

Posted on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 08:15 AM

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Mitt Romney and Barack Obama

A Gallup International poll has revealed that Irish, in Ireland, would vote 96-4 percent for Barack Obama over Mitt Romney.

That’s not a landslide it is an avalanche.

But it begs the question why Irish and Europeans in general see so little to like in the GOP candidates these days.

After all many Irish are Catholic conservatives fiercely opposed to abortion and feel issues like immigration into Ireland is destroying the country.

The business class in ireland would surely have far more in common with lower taxes and less government that the Republican Party espouses.

Yet despite that obvious affinity there is no support whatever for the Republican Party in Ireland.

I am always struck by this when talking to Irish politicians who in this country would be considered moderate conservatives but who have no time whatever for the GOP.

They blame George Bush and Ronald Reagan and American support for Israel.

Reagan first. During his war in Nicaragua against the Sandinistas Reagan alienated the Irish, especially the religious orders who had large numbers of nuns and priests working in poor neighborhoods there.

Read more US Election 2012 news stories here

There was a universal sense in Ireland of America the bully which cost the American image dear.

Now to Bush. The Iraq war and its aftermath was also a disaster for the perception of America abroad.

But perhaps nothing is more damaging than the perception by the GOP that the UN is a useless institution

While the UN maybe reviled in the U.S. in many circles, in Ireland it is seen as a very necessary international institution. It is the one way that a small country like Ireland can have an influence on great issues of the day. Irish troops who serve in UN peacekeeping missions are highly praised there and regarded with great pride. United Nations happenings are very closely reported.

There is huge animosity to the sense of America First, anti UN sense that the GOP foreign policy seems to foster.

Then there is the issue of Israel.

The overwhelming number of Irish identify with the Palestinians and draw many comparisons between their plight and the Irish under British rule.

America’s role as Israel’s defender come what may, especially in GOP circles, plays very badly in ireland.

On the other hand Obama is seen as an internationalist who seeks co-operation across borders and who sees the UN as a valuable institution.

I don’t see much changing in the future as long as the GOP continues to drift right.

That 96-4 figure may even shrink further for Republicans if the current anti GOP sense continues.

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jamieLM | Oct 22, 2012, 06:26 PM EDT

As an American, I don't care one twit what anyone in Ireland thinks about who Americans should elect. The Irish don't live here. I don't expect anyone in Ireland to care one twit who I think they should elect to any government office, either, since I don't live in Ireland. Remember the old saying - MYOB?

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O'Hanlon | Oct 22, 2012, 05:31 PM EDT

Not only did Obama track down Osama Bin Laden he also snagged Whitey Bulger too wrapping up essentially the last Irish-American organised crime boss in the US. Think the difference between Irish-American GOP supporters and the core Irish electorate is the fact that most old school Irish-American neighbourhoods in America have mostly either been gentrified or have become Dominican strongholds like Inwood. Hell's Kitchen and SOuth Boston are today full of precious, effete and indulgent hipsters and Yuppies so I guess te demographics of these neighbourhoods reflect how dull, diluted and commercialised the residents now are in these once community neighbourhoods. No wonder they're all "O'Reilley Factor" wannabes now.

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Smyrnian | Oct 22, 2012, 04:00 PM EDT

Dublindee - You need to check in once in a while. While you (and I) were gone it did indeed turn socialist. Take a good look.

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Banjoe81 | Oct 22, 2012, 02:55 PM EDT

Sorry guys but if you read this thinking everybody but a few voted on this survey then your as narrow minded as the person who wrote this article.I for one think neither are good for the job but that the problem with not having enough choice for what is essentially the most important job on planet.

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phinsman | Oct 22, 2012, 02:27 PM EDT

It is wonderful to hear how liberal and open minded the Irish are, which is just like I am. I am hoping my liberalism and open mindedness came from my Irish heritage.

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McNamara31 | Oct 22, 2012, 10:57 AM EDT

supman How's the air up there on your perch as you look down and make incredulous generalizations about Europeans. So its as easy as; the strong left, and the weak stayed behind.Sounds like something Hannity would say to his simpletons. .

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bobby | Oct 22, 2012, 07:15 AM EDT

1,000 people were surveyed, the majority of Irish people couldn't care less who wins.

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Dublindee | Oct 21, 2012, 10:24 PM EDT

Cryin laughing at the many negative comments and "socialist" commentary. I have grew up in Ireland and am in the USA 14 years. I can confirm we are neither insane not beholden to Government. Conservationism in Europe is effectively a moderate to centrist version of the US. This should be a wake up call for Americans and how far this country has alienated itself from the rest of the globe.

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Betty Schueler | Oct 21, 2012, 10:21 PM EDT

It just shows how intelligent the Irish people are. I am amazed at how so many people, in the US, can be bamboozled into voting for people who couldn't care less about what happens to them. I like it to slaves voting for their masters. It is insane.

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Gordan Duggan | Oct 21, 2012, 09:43 PM EDT

96% that's interesting. Nobody asked me and I have lived in Ireland all my life. Where exactly was this poll conducted and by whom? Nobody I know has ever heard of this. Stephen Glenn, I assure you most of us in Ireland are completly sane and supman those of us "left behind" as you call us are far from timid and listless. We may be in financial difficulties at the moment but we have not lost our minds. America needs more then TWO political parties in order to have more of a choice. Most Irish people are for Israel and Palestine and wish their difficulties could be sorted out. We can see the problems both sides face and both are entitled to homelands. Why are there are so many anti-Irish people on this supposed Irish site?

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Stephen Glenn | Oct 21, 2012, 08:49 PM EDT

I was proud of my Irish heritage till I learned 96% were insane

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supman | Oct 21, 2012, 08:41 PM EDT

No surprise here. Just like the rest of Europe, the best and boldest left behind the stagnation and immigrated to America. The timid, listless masses who remained behind are content to let the government take care of them. I'm of Irish origin, but proud to be an American first.

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Mgvsmith | Oct 21, 2012, 07:52 PM EDT

For those who like to talk about standing on their own two feet and not accepting government handouts, who bailed out the big US banks in 2008? Short memories,....a bit like Mitt Romney?

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grimchieftain | Oct 21, 2012, 07:08 PM EDT

I love Ireland and the Irish people but what they think about American politics and a dollar will get you a cheap cup of coffee.

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seanomelb | Oct 21, 2012, 06:32 PM EDT

Tom Mo!! you were referring to the Irish press and now you change trains and some how include Crowley who told the truth about the "rose garden" comment.

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