Once again at election time it is the old Ronald Reagan coalition of working class Irish and other Catholic groups in the American Midwest region who will decide the election.
The Reagan Democrats came home to the Democratic Party in the Obama presidential election year, but this year,led by the Irish, it appears they are once again drifting back to the Republican slate.
Polls in the key states show the ethnic vote shifting drastically to Republican candidates.
It is a indictment of President Obama and his vice president Joe Biden who typifies the Reagan Democrat appeal, that they have lost touch to a large extent with this key voting block.
They have done an incredibly poor job of explaining the health care reform, the bank bailout and the need to spend billion on a stimulus package to a group that arguably stood to benefit most from such government largesse.
They have failed to point out that if tax cuts bring jobs then the Bush presidency would have been a runaway success, or that cutting earmarks to regions means that region actually loses jobs.
They have also failed to explain how the Republican plan espoused by Bush and even some candidates today to privatize social security would have left tens of millions of older Americans in dire circumstances after the market crash.
Instead they have let the Tea Party and the Republican opposition define the election. It is a spectacular failure. It was bad banks and brazen greed that landed America in this mess, it was no government oversight that facilitated it.
Yet reading the polls that it was all just the government’s fault.
Somehow Obama has not been able to get the message out, especially where it counts most with blue collar white ethnic Americans who are suffering the most in this downturn.
Republicans are masters at summing up issues on memorable sentences while Democrats take forever to try and explain.
There is every indication that Democratic candidates on the East Coast and West Coast will survive most of the tough races. Barbara Boxer in California, Party Murray in Washington both have narrow leads in the senate races and appear likely to prevail while on the East Coast republicans best chance went up in smoke in Delaware when they choose Christine O’Donnell to run.
Meanwhile the south will be reliably red after this election.
So the battle comes down to Pennsylvania and the Midwest. The New York Times has profiled a number of congressional races where Irish candidates, with names like Toomey, FitzPatrick, Murphy, and Donnelly are competing fiercely to swing the election into their political camp.
How those races will go will define the fate of the house and perhaps the senate. For Joe Biden in particular, it must be galling to contemplate that the control of the House and possibly the senate will slip away because of a failure to hold his own Catholic base
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.bonjouryall | Oct 31, 2010, 10:43 AM EDT
I agree the lackey of Wall St. has done a terrible job of explaining his actions. Banks get bailout funds that some repay within months. Most recently, AIG bailout is allegedly expected to show a profit for the Govt-yea. Then they didn't need it to begin with! Obama wanted to create Obamacare but does nothing for Social Security! We're just now discovering taxes on real estate to pay for it-another hidden expense. Since the Dems and Republicans are both encouraging jobs overseas in return for cheap lead painted baby toys from China and Agent Orange talipia, I personally favor some kind of health care for younger workers who will not be able to afford much. But he did not explain or justify Obamacare to my satisfaction. Harry Reid telling the public the Dems would not compromise on important things like health care while Obama is saying the Republicans rebuffed his offer for compromise doesn't help. Neither does his several trips to Europe including Michelle Antoinette's trip so they can look pretty to the Europeans. He'll be okay though-many unmet promises but he'll probably win another Nobel Prize for his efforts.
longislander1940 | Oct 24, 2010, 03:00 PM EDT
Its about time the Democratic Catholic Irishmen woke up. Our parents were Democrates but hopefully we are wiser and smarter in this generation. Vote republican
maloney | Oct 22, 2010, 06:31 PM EDT
seano,,, hold the roo poo. Should we ever partake together, I'll put a pillow under your head & tuck you in after you hit the floor.
seanomelbourne | Oct 21, 2010, 06:43 PM EDT
Roo steaks and a good red Maloney maybe you'll join me one day
Irishjule | Oct 21, 2010, 03:21 PM EDT
I think Obama was elected in 2008 because people did not know who he really is; some still don't. He wants to change this country all right. He wants to make it into a Marxist/Communist country in which the government has control of health care, business, finances..everything we have and do. I am disheartened by the number of Catholcs who voted for him, knowing his stance on abortion. He also said, "If a baby should survive an abortion, it should not be treated but left to die." In fact, this happened when he was a senator for Illinois. He is so unscrupulous, so arrogant, so racist, so untruthful that it is hard to believe he is our president. To get an idea of his background, read "Dreams from My Father." You certainly won't get the truth from the major TV stations.
Searlit | Oct 20, 2010, 08:50 PM EDT
Nastiness will get you nowhere.
maloney | Oct 20, 2010, 07:57 PM EDT
What's the matter seano, lose your roo?
seanomelbourne | Oct 20, 2010, 07:13 PM EDT
Baloney Maloney!!
maloney | Oct 20, 2010, 11:22 AM EDT
obummer has no integrity. Truth seems to be another of his shortcomings.
Searlit | Oct 19, 2010, 08:22 PM EDT
I can agree with the first part, then you went negative.
IrishAndProud | Oct 19, 2010, 07:14 PM EDT
Here, here...to compassion (with only 2 s's), truth AND integrity, summed up in a single word: Nobama.
seanomelbourne | Oct 19, 2010, 06:16 PM EDT
truth and integrity
Searlit | Oct 19, 2010, 01:30 PM EDT
Compasssion.
Searlit | Oct 18, 2010, 11:12 PM EDT
Love.
IrishAndProud | Oct 18, 2010, 10:09 PM EDT
No, seanny...it's your upper lip.
maloney | Oct 18, 2010, 07:10 PM EDT
The odor may be seano's belly swashing over his buckler.
seanomelbourne | Oct 18, 2010, 06:40 PM EDT
It's getting rather smelly around here is it you IandP?
IrishAndProud | Oct 18, 2010, 04:58 AM EDT
Another poster nailed it, about Obama: From Messiah to pariah in 20 months. His party is DOA, and he himself is S.O.L.
Monsoonman | Oct 17, 2010, 01:37 PM EDT
You can always smell who got in the argument with the skunk.
Searlit | Oct 17, 2010, 09:53 AM EDT
Yes, seanomelbourne, we all have our own way of protecting the truth, as we know it, you swashbuckler!:)
seanomelbourne | Oct 17, 2010, 03:36 AM EDT
2Bornot2B!!! I prefer not2B another misinformed whacko with no facts only hate and spite.Searlit my friend talking facts with hate mongerers is a waste of you precious time. Sometimes you have to get into the gutter with morons to raise them up.
hancock | Oct 16, 2010, 11:41 PM EDT
Obama sucks, and will get his head handed to him first Tuesday in Nov. Thank God.
2BorNot2B | Oct 16, 2010, 10:02 PM EDT
Irish Catholics deserting..blah, blah.. what the H is this guy talking about? REAL Catholics, Irish or otherwise were NEVER with oVomit the ultimate abortionists' anti-life advocate! The only CINOs who sided with this uppity clown were those from PACs created by Media Matters and funded by Soros.
seanomelbourne | Oct 16, 2010, 08:10 PM EDT
Pittsburgh needs a reality check,never let the truth destroy a good propagandist. He obviously accepts Fox as his bible.Christine is sharper than Palin? is that suppose to be a compliment.
Searlit | Oct 16, 2010, 05:02 PM EDT
Pittsburghkid, deportations of illegal immigrants are up 70% under Obama's administration. That was reported by Homeland security, yesterday.
Pittsburghkid | Oct 15, 2010, 11:33 PM EDT
Obama want to repopulate America with illegal hispanic immigrants, and Muslims. Americans standard of living has been dropping, Free Trade seems to make it worse. This is not just about Obama. The Tea Party Movement has thrown out Republican called RINO's (Republican in name only) Sitting RINO Senators have failed in Primarys. Our Backs are against the wall, and Americans are fighting back for our survival. We hoped the oppressive Affirmative Action in hiring would be stopped, but not the case. Do not count Christine O'Donnell out. She is one sharp woman. I mean mentally. Very good speaker. She is actually better then Sarah Palin.
mikybugiba | Oct 15, 2010, 09:50 PM EDT
OLÁ, Meu nome é perder miky, eu vi hoje o seu perfil e se interessou em você, eu também gostaria de saber o que você mais, e eu quero que você envie um e-mail para o meu endereço de e-mail para que eu possa dar-lhe as minhas fotos para que você saiba quem eu am.Here é o meu endereço de e-mail (miky2010bugiba@hotmail.co.uk) Creio que podemos passar por aqui, eu estou esperando. Lembre-se da distância ou de cor não importa, mas uma matéria muito amor na vida Graças Miss miky. (Miky2010bugiba@hotmail.co.uk) HELLO, My name is miss miky, i saw your profile today and became interested in you,i will also like to know you the more,and i want you to send an email to my email address so i can give you my pictures for you to know whom i am.Here is my email address (miky2010bugiba@hotmail.co.uk)I believe we can move from here I am waiting. Remeber the distance or colour does not matter but love matters alot in life Thanks Miss miky. (miky2010bugiba@hotmail.co.uk)
McNamara31 | Oct 15, 2010, 09:48 PM EDT
SeamusMor...You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts. How’s about a little truth.... First, President Obama promised: healthcare...It's Done. Obama promised financial deregulation...It's done. Obama passed the Fair Pay Act along with Credit Card reform and the Children's Health (SCHIP) Bill. Obama promised a phased withdrawal from Iraq..It's in process. So, could you please tell us what lies you are referring to? And, BTW if you use Fox as your main news source, I understand why you may have felt this way.
Searlit | Oct 15, 2010, 09:41 PM EDT
Thank-you, McNamara31, we seem to agree on most of these topics. You're a gentleman.
rcrdskpr@aol.com | Oct 15, 2010, 09:33 PM EDT
"you can fool all of the people some of time, and some of the people all of the time, but not all of the people all of the time". the people were snookered in 08, but now the chickens are coming home to roost. obama is espousing class warfare: take from the rich and give to the poor. when there are no more rich, where do you get it? socialism has never worked in any country, and now they want to try it here. without investment and entrepenourship, you have nothing. like my sainted irish grandmother used to say "you didnt get into this game checking".
Monsoonman | Oct 15, 2010, 08:53 PM EDT
There you go again wounded knee with the name calling and on top of that you are wrong again. Afghanistan was the staging area for the attacks against us. you better get an atlas. My Dad just got an artificial knee, you might try it, it might clear up you thinking. Long term wounds poison the body and mind...Jes sayin'
SeamusMor | Oct 15, 2010, 07:18 PM EDT
Public policy is the sum of contributor's interests, not constituents. O'bama promised change because because that's what people wanted to hear. Now we know he lied. Fool us once, shame on you; fool us twice shame on us!
WoundedKnee | Oct 15, 2010, 05:31 PM EDT
MONSOONMAN: "Remember 911? We were attacked by terrorist muslims and needed to go where they lived and kill them". Go buy an atlas, you dope. None of the 19 911 killers was Iraqi, and in fact none had ever lived in Iraq. What a fool you are, Moonman.
WoundedKnee | Oct 15, 2010, 05:29 PM EDT
PFlynn:"I didn't know Biden was Catholic? Does he not support abortion?" Good point, pflynn. I dislike the Republicans, because they are the party of war, but I despise the "Catholic" Democrats such as Biden, Pelosi, Kennedy, who fraudulently claim to be members of a Church whose teachings they flout. And shame on the Catholic hierarchy who are complicit in this fraud by the abortion lobby--see Ted Kennedy's funeral.
maloney | Oct 15, 2010, 04:16 PM EDT
himself1 is right in saying the country DOES hear & understand what obummer & the libs are doing. The message is loud & clear, they will destroy America if not stopped. watchman is correct in that Americans of every group will stop the madness or perish, not Irish Americans. 2bornot2b summed it up best on obummers master plan. As usual o'dud doesn't have a clue, slogans don't win elections. The right or the left has it all wrong & once again the American people will vote for the lesser of the evils, the Republicans. As the Tea Party learns & gets stronger with better candidates, there may be hope for America in the future once the master plan is undone.
2BorNot2B | Oct 15, 2010, 02:01 PM EDT
I can't understand how people can say "oBummer is still popular, his message is not.." -- Can a man and his ideological bent be separate? Thats an utterly ridiculous notion, as if the person itself is some hollow being, some sort of paste statue separate from his own intellect and therefore able to be seen as two unrelated entities. -- The news for those who are still either wondering or willfully blind and unconcerned is, this oVomit guy is an inflexible ideologue trying to bring to fruition, as he wrote on his own biographical book, the "dreams FROM his father" who was a Marxist. oVomit's policies also point to some deep resentment toward the white race who until now has held the reins of power and prosperity not only in this country but internationally. --- In oVomit's eyes the higher economic level of the white race, rather than resulting from personal effort, is the product of unrighteous dominion and therefore largely responsible for the poverty of those of his own race. -- His intent from the beginning of his tenancy on the WH has been to level the playing field by imposing economically untenable policies that will necessarily bankrupt the country he deeply resents, thereby ultimately not lifting the economic level of his own people, but bringing down the level of those of the race he loathes and blames for his people's lack of prosperity.
mhichil | Oct 15, 2010, 01:20 PM EDT
Ok I'll buy you a clue; Reagan was responsible for the dumbing down of education during his term. Now a generation later politicians are setting policy by polling the remaining idiots...brilliant GOP strategy! Keeping the special kids paralyzed with fear, then ask them what they want. brilliant! it's worked for centuries! America is not the great satan, it is just run by folks like him for those who want and are willing to bet their future for todays promise of a better economy that never comes because of yesterdays debt .
Watchman | Oct 15, 2010, 01:13 PM EDT
It will NOT be a coalition of Irish and other Catholic groups in the Mid West who will decide the election. Who do you mean by "Irish" anyway? Do you mean anyone with an Irish-sounding name? In that case, the so-called Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, the current roster of which records only eight Irish names out of a total of 108, have lost all claim to the title. And who do you mean by Catholic groups? Hispanics? Anyone with an Irish OR Italian OR Polish-sounding name? I'm fed up with ethnic and religious politics in this country, which Irish Central increasingly pedals. You're AMERICANS, no matter where you think you might have come from or which church, if any, you go to on Sunday, or Friday, or Saturday. It's one thing to enjoy hurling, or Riverdance, or Yeats, or even to support Sinn Fein or, gawd help us, the Real IRA. These at least are connected to Ireland, its history and culture. But to make the land of your ancestors a factor in who you vote for in the United States in 2012 is the height of absurdity and the mark of a nation in decline. I'm also sick of the Catholic church, and have no love either for the various Protestant and Jewish (and soon, no doubt, Muslim and Hindu) sects that try to determine our future. Worship if you must. That's your right. But leave the rest of us out of your festering debates on what's right and what's wrong in modern America. Do we have separation of Church and State, or don't we?
PhlutiePhan | Oct 15, 2010, 01:11 PM EDT
Recently, President Obama went to Martha's Vineyard and was snubbed by Caroline Kennedy. It was presumed that was where he would stay to "shore up" his Irish political base. It did not happen and the Irish on the east coast are downright angry.
PhlutiePhan | Oct 15, 2010, 12:49 PM EDT
Scary things ahead when these states turns red
himself1 | Oct 15, 2010, 12:46 PM EDT
The Obama message IS getting through to Irish Americans and they dont like the message. Obama himself is still fairly popular, but not his left wing ideology. People never focused on the fact that during his short term in the Senate, he was, nevertheless, the most liberal member of that body. American is still a moderately right electorate, and he is a liberal ideologue. Now they know.
McNamara31 | Oct 15, 2010, 12:33 PM EDT
Searlit..I'm with you, once again. Bush also allowed the SEC to increase the amount of debt the banks and financial houses, like Goldman could take on, up to 40 to 1. That was really the nail in the coffin of financial collapse. The GOP clearly represents the interests of corporate greed to the demise of the middle class. And, about the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan in the years after 911..(post below)...Look up the troop levels. If our priority was getting Bin Laden why where so few troops sent in support of that effort?
IrishTierney | Oct 15, 2010, 12:12 PM EDT
The United Nations is a political fcuking joke, and a joke on the entire world at that. How many hands were in the food for oil cookie jar. Corruption! Law of the Sea Treaty? Does anyone other that Madeleine even know what this is about? Read about what President Obama is voting for. The implications on what it will mean for not only the U.S., but, the entire world are "NUTS". Why don't you educate the Irish people and do a report on that subject O'Dowd!
borefield | Oct 15, 2010, 11:44 AM EDT
Niall, this is by far the best piece you have ever written. "HELLO", Obama is not now, never has been a friend of the Irish Americans, Ireland, or Catholics. It is such a joke to see some Irish trying to expose his Irish Roots, pathetic indeed.
Barnabus | Oct 15, 2010, 11:32 AM EDT
Obama will be a one term President, thank god.
francisquinn | Oct 15, 2010, 11:31 AM EDT
THis article is typical LIBERAL spin....Bush was a big spender..a deicit of $ 400 Bil..but BO has topped that by 3 times.....The writer also forgets that Barney and his ilk has been in charge of Congress for 4 years.
pflynn70 | Oct 15, 2010, 10:56 AM EDT
I didn't know Biden was Catholic? Does he not support abortion? I would love to be around when Biden is on his death bed, wanna bet he has a different view on things? Biden sold his sole for a few votes, hope it was worth it Joey boy!
Monsoonman | Oct 15, 2010, 10:45 AM EDT
FACTS: 1. clinton was forced to sign a balanced budget by a republican congress. 2. Remember 911? We were attacked by terrorist muslims and needed to go where they lived and kill them, bush got approval from the senate and house to go to war. You don't wage single handed war in this country & you don't spend into deficits single handedly it takes congress to approve the spending, ya idjits.
Madeleine | Oct 15, 2010, 10:31 AM EDT
Obama has signed the Law of the Seas Treaty, without Republicans being present, if they sign it , I think Obama needs 66 Senate votes to get it ratified, then the UN will be running everything, they will have full control of the Oceans,the ocen beneath the floor , above it, in it and on it and above it, the great Lakes and all waterways and costal land. I guess that means you too, Since the UN is 85% Muslims and global, I guess they will have won the war and finally have their flag hanging on the whitehouse flagpole, as they promised they would. Obama has already given millions of dollars to them this month and promised millions more, we can't get a decent pair of shoes in America anymore , all shoes are made in china now, shoes, can you imagine this?? well thats why Obama won't win although I don't think our vote will count if this treaty is signed, it won't matter, it will be almost impossible to reverse. The UN has already removed Canada from its usual place at the UN council for siding with Israel so they are already throwing their weight around,they have always been arrogant and now they are impossible. The banks have already wrongfully forclosed on homes that are paid for, they are investigating this huge mix-up, its fraud is all. The UN does not like home ownership, it isn't fair to those that can't afford a home, get the picture now? by the way, this has been Hillarys dream come true. she is all for it. There will be no more America to blame things on. lots of good things coming our way. I'm glad you are so diverse too, you will have to be, lots of new neighbors coming your way, this will be a muslim world, no Irish this or American that, it will be their way and thats the Muslim way,the Global way that you like so much Niall, Are we having fun yet? Obama might have failed as President but he didn't fail in what he came to do and thats give our country away to the Muslims and the UN. Why would he want to do that?
Searlit | Oct 15, 2010, 10:22 AM EDT
Fran Connor, I can't understand why you think like that. The deficits began when G.W. Bush took the Clinton Administration surplus and gave it away to the top 5%,(the wealthiest people in the country, who didn't need it). They didn't create jobs with it, they threw it into hedge funds and derivatives which brought about the failure on Wall Street. Don't forget President Bush had us funding two wars which added a trillion or more to the deficit. We are totally indebted to China due to the Bush/Cheney Administration. President Obama does not deserve the blame. The problems weren't created overnight, and they can't be solved that quickly. I hope you can see that.
killowen | Oct 15, 2010, 10:15 AM EDT
getting off one horse hoping for a billy the kid's rescue. replacing one master's servant for another -two state solution not gonna happen with mounthing hatred of our way ongoing until the end.
Yerffac | Oct 15, 2010, 10:03 AM EDT
Oh get lost, you idiots. Obama will be reelected. Dems will keep the Senate, while the looney tea party wackos might take a seat or two in the house. In case you haven't heard: Reagan is dead.
McNamara31 | Oct 15, 2010, 09:46 AM EDT
I agree Niall. The falure of the Obama "administration" to clearly "get out" their list of accomplishments to the American people while being adversly affected by the slander narrative coming out Fox, will cause them to pay dearly in November. My question is, when the party who deregulated America into financial collapse returns to Washington, along with the recent Supreme Court ruling now allowing unlimited corporate money to affect election in a stealth mode occurs; Who will they then blame when the middle class becomes a distant memory killed by corporate greed.
Fran Connor | Oct 15, 2010, 09:35 AM EDT
Right, Niall. The D's are going to lose seats because they have done a poor job explaining to us dumb slobs what a great job they're doing. In the meantime, unemployment stays at 9.6% despite an eight hundred thousand million (that's 800 billion) dollar "stimulus". And we've got yet another trillion dollar deficit this year. Great job, boys!
hancock | Oct 15, 2010, 09:11 AM EDT
Obama sucks and he will lose.
DLW12183 | Oct 15, 2010, 09:05 AM EDT
More left wing crap from Niall. Enough man. Try to be a neutral reporter or label your crap purely EDITORIAL
DennisQ | Oct 15, 2010, 03:35 AM EDT
People feel they have the right to understand what's going on and they'll vote for the party with the more intelligible platform. It's true that Republicans are better at turning party goals into slogans. However, it's not true that the Republicans have more of a handle on what's going on.
I had hoped that '06 and '08 were the beginning of greater sophistication among American voters. The '10 election might reverse this good start. It could be a temporary setback as voters have lost patience with so much going on that they find incomprehensible. This year's working class Republican voters may think they've got nothing to lose, but they're wrong about that. Republicans are not bringing jobs back, regardless of how insistent they are that tax cuts to the wealthy are good for the economy.
The age at which people who lose jobs and will never work again is declining. It used to be people in their 60's; then it was people in their 50's. But now it's people in their 40's. Such people should never vote Republican; unfortunately, many of them will do just that.
WoundedKnee | Oct 15, 2010, 02:51 AM EDT
The term Reagan Democrat is a nonsense. It means a person who votes Republican. That, in any definition, makes the person a Reagan Republican, not a Democrat.