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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Barack and Michelle Obama win over the Irish crowd

Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 04:28 AM

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Until you actually experience Barack and Michelle Obama close up you might wonder what all the fuss is about.

They came into office a year ago with expectations sky high. They may have not lived up to them but make no mistake, they are incredibly talented people who have brought class and distinction to this White House.

Last night I stood about ten feet away as Barack Obama delivered possibly the best speech about Irish and American ties that I have heard.

We were at the White House for the annual St Pat's party in honor of the Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen and what an occasion it was.

Obama's speech touched every chord of memory and meaningful moment in the long history between the two countries.

He ended by quoting George Washington's stirring words about the sons of Erin who rallied to the American standard in the battle against the British.

Before that he spoke of the famine and the dreadful toll on the Irish it took.

But he also talked about the rise form the ghettos of the Irish who fled the Famine and the incredible inspiration they provided for future generations of emigrants from many other cultures as they too battled to gain a foothold in America .

Along the way he noted the 'No Irish Need Apply' signs did not stop them overcoming every obstacle.

The Irish he noted were America's longest allies and continued to stand with them through thick and thin.

Vice President Biden who was also present on the stage nodded in agreement.

There was a clear note of emotion in Obama's voice when he talked about one of those famous Irish, Senator Edward Kennedy whose 'laughter filled these rooms;' from the time of his brother Jack in the White House from 1960 to 1963.

But the legacy for Kennedy he stated would be the laughter and fun from this Irish crowd celebrating his spirit.

Brilliantly put and delivered without a teleprompter I might add. Obama clearly knew his material and cherished the opportunity to work an Irish crowd.

But when it came to the meet and greet it was Michelle who stole the show.

I brought my daughter to the White House. At ten years old I wanted Alana to experience the greatness of America first hand.

She was feeling under the weather and sneezed several times during the speeches.

Michelle Obama came over to her after put her arms around her and told her to feel better.' Let's pose for a picture' she said making Alana's March 17th the most incredible imaginable.

This is a rare First Couple who ooze class and dignity. It was an honor to be in their company this St Pat's Day.

Story / President Obama's great Irish speech – the excerpts / Click here

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33 comments

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IrishAndProud | Mar 18, 2010, 09:26 PM EDT

And don't even start on Iraq...the Dems in Congress were supporting the war, for the same EXACT reasons -- openly and verbally.

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IrishAndProud | Mar 18, 2010, 09:24 PM EDT

McNamara31, leave it to an Obama-lover like you to try to counter what I said by bringing up Bush again. I was speaking to Obama trying to relate to Irish stuff, and was reponding to someone else who didn't like the fact I merely mentioned his middle name. For your information, I was a strong Bush critic -- but would prefer him (he was part-Irish, also) in a heartbeat to this guy we have in there, now.

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IrishAndProud | Mar 18, 2010, 09:20 PM EDT

So what, Boston. If you don't like it, find somewhere else to go.

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BostonIrish | Mar 18, 2010, 07:28 PM EDT

Blah, Blah, Blah IrishandProud. I'm getting kind of tired of your ranting and raving in the comments section!

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McNamara31 | Mar 18, 2010, 06:10 PM EDT

IrishandProud... "The man is an abomination" Maybe you'd like to get someone with a nice Waspy name like George W. Bush to come back and put two wars on credit cards, destroy our country financially and outright lie to the American people about why we invaded Iraq. What an American!

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IrishAndProud | Mar 18, 2010, 05:44 PM EDT

I could also say, Seamus...unlike my political views (which are the majority), YOUR little 'gratuitous insertion' of the word 'peace' speaks volumes about YOUR political views. Like, flower-child, tree-hugging hippy, perhaps. Peace, back, man....plus the love and dope, too.

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IrishAndProud | Mar 18, 2010, 05:39 PM EDT

And you do have to admit...a name like Barack Hussein Obama just doesn't have much of an Irish ring to it, does it (let alone his life's history)?

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IrishAndProud | Mar 18, 2010, 05:36 PM EDT

What's the matter, Seamus? All I did was say the man's middle name. Does it make you insecure, or something? I might add, his SUPPORTERS have proudly spoken his middle name when talking about him -- including when they've directed schoolchildren to chant affectionate poems about him (the kids had no say-so in the matter, either). Apparently it's okay to speak his middle name if you're a supporter of his...but NOT okay if you're not.

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Seamus Mor | Mar 18, 2010, 04:12 PM EDT

To IrishAndProud: Your gratuitous insertion of the president's middle name in your post speaks volumes about your political views, my friend. Peace.

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IrishAndProud | Mar 18, 2010, 02:55 PM EDT

(concluded) To Obama, Eire is just a distant, white nation, which he HAD to say something about, because of what day it was. From this very website it's said that his 'Irish roots' haven't even been conclusively proven...and even if they were, so what? These two put on a good show (like he did back in '08), and you fell for it, hook line and sinker. You need to step back and take a look at the whole picture here, and not just one, single carefully-planned photo-op event.

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IrishAndProud | Mar 18, 2010, 02:51 PM EDT

(continued) Yesterday's event was a political PHOTO OP, nothing more. LOTS of people can make good, dreamy-eyed speeches about any subject there is -- but you have to look at WHO they are, WHAT they actually believe about the subject on which they speak, and most importantly what they actually DO. And considering all those points, do you honestly think Barack Hussein Obama really cares about Ireland, or anything Irish?

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IrishAndProud | Mar 18, 2010, 02:48 PM EDT

Oh, gush gush gush. Obama hasn't won over THIS Irish, Niall -- nor millions of others, either. The man is an abomination, and as non-Irish as they come with his politics, philosophy and racial orientation. Pretending we have anything whatsoever in common with him is a really offensive joke.

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ragallaher | Mar 18, 2010, 02:11 PM EDT

The Obamas are a class act. It a shame irishwriter, like the Obamas, don't value any opinions other than their own.

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hyattsville | Mar 18, 2010, 11:44 AM EDT

What a great experience for your daughter. Has Irish leadership returned to the Emerald Isle yet? I heard there was only one minister in the place yesterday, would have been a great time to stage a hostile takeover methinks. Some flatfooted DUP camping out in Cowan's office!

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Madeleine | Mar 18, 2010, 10:43 AM EDT

It was a nice story , I'm glad you enjoyed their visit, Michelle looks lovely in that picture too. The President and first Lady are in a friendly place, they know they are among friends and I'm sure they were genuinely happy to be there, especially on St Patricks day.

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