IrishCentral Current news and opinion on the Irish in US Politics - b5cc3275d518416eacb61d676e8d84d1

The politics of anger rules in a recessionary Ireland as political debate turns nasty (IrishCentral)

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 05:31:24 PDT

Dr James Reilly Reasoned, insightful political debate is being overthrown by mob-rule But he who shouts loudest is not always right, writes Paul AllenThe country is once again in the grip of the ‘politics of the angry’Indeed, even as Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore declared confidence in Minister Dr James Reilly, the smell of blood is in the air as people cry for another political scalpIt is the era of the loudmouth where the ‘politics of anger’ shouts down the ‘politics of the answer’ READ MORE

The five smartest and five worst political decisions of 2012 (IrishCentral)

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 02:59:11 PST

By: JAMES O'SHEA

It has been quite the year with a new term for President Barack Obama and the same old outcome in Senate and House.

Hillary’s serious illness changes everything in 2016 presidential race (IrishCentral)

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 03:30:40 PST

Hillary Clinton (AP)Though she has been released from hospital after treatment for her blood clot Hillary Clinton’s political future has changed dramaticallyAt 65 she has been struck with an illness that doctors agree is a serious one and that could have caused a major strokeA blood clot in an area close to the brain is not good news for anyone, but especially someone who is the winter favorite for the 2016 nominationIf this were a horse race I’d say Hillary Clinton is far more likely to scratch than to line up in the Democratic demolition derby in 2015 or so for the 2016 nomination READ MORE

Joe Biden is saving President Obama’s political skin says Maureen Dowd -- Irish American VP the real star of the Obama administration she claims (IrishCentral)

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 04:30:43 PST

Joe Biden and Barack Obama speak to the press(Photo: Washington Blade)Joe Biden is the real star of the Obama administration says New York Times columnist Maureen DowdThe Irish American VP has the ability to schmooze and to get along with Republicans, which President Obama seems unable to do, she writes“Obama radiates contempt at Congress for not being a bunch of high-minded, effective people, and for expecting him to clean up its mess“Biden is a realist READ MORE

Gun nuts lose argument over assault weapons ban, threaten civil war - VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 05:00:45 PST

James YeagerIf you want to defy the Obama administration’s proposed assault weapons ban - and I don't know why you would - might I suggest that threatening to lead a gun massacre or starting a new civil war is probably the least effective way to do it?Take James Yeager, the CEO of a Tennessee-based gun company Yeager took to the internet yesterday to announce he will start killing people if President Obama tries to limit arms ownership:'I'm not f---ing putting up with this I am not letting my country be ruled by a dictator I'm not letting anybody take my guns READ MORE

As depth of betrayal sinks in, followers of Al Gore feel confused and misled (IrishCentral)

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:30:48 PST

In the history of mankind there are countless instances of cult figures who have lead their followers to ruin and disillusionment. Names like Jim Jones, David Koresh, The Pied Piper, Bernie Madoff, Adolph Hitler, Charles Manson, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and a whole host of TV evangelists have done their damage. READ MORE

John Kerry’s departure from the US Senate makes for more political intrigue in Massachusetts (IrishCentral)

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 08:01:00 PST

US Senator from Massachusetts John KerryFrom the moment current US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice withdrew her name from consideration to be President Barack Obama’s next Secretary of State, politicos in Boston and beyond have had plenty to gossip about With Rice – whose putative nomination was effectively scuppered by opposition from key Senate Republicans – out of the picture, most observers presumed that John Kerry, the senior US Senator from Massachusetts and 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, would be President Obama’s pick They were correct, and it is likely that John Kerry will soon be confirmed to the key diplomatic postMeanwhile, back in Massachusetts, the political rumor mill began churning almost immediately READ MORE

Michelle Obama did the country no favor with her eye roll - VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:15:59 PST

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ tableMsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 54pt 0in 54pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom: READ MORE

Guns lose elections as well as lives -- Tens of thousands shot dead each year in the US (IrishCentral)

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 05:46:00 PST

A protest against the NRA on Capitol HillGo to the mall, get shot Go to the movies, get shot Go to the gun show, get shot Go hunting, get shot READ MORE

An idea whose time has come? Universal background checks for gun purchasers should be standard for politicians. (IrishCentral)

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:16:09 PST

Looking at the state of affairs in Washington, perhaps it is time to apply the same proposed standards for gun owners and apply them to prospective and sitting politicians. Perhaps go even further, by requiring our leaders to pass an FBI background check. READ MORE

Ed Koch not popular with many Irish during his career -- Late NY Mayor defended British role in North after Irish trip in 1988 (IrishCentral)

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 04:16:11 PST

Ed Koch celebrating St Patrick's DayI never had much time for Ed Koch, the mayor of New York from 1978 to 1989 The mayor died todayHe was a blusterer who early on in his career stopped listening and began pronouncing and never stopped READ MORE

Stephen Lynch announces on YouTube his campaign for United States Senate – VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 04:42:57 PST

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch announced he would be running for the Senate seat left open by John Kerry, by releasing a video on YouTube.

Today's Irish news roundup (IrishCentral)

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 10:09:47 PST

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

Top Irish news stories:

“Bang Bang” Obama shoots himself in the foot with gun photo -- Ridiculous effort to have it both ways backfires badly on him (IrishCentral)

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 04:16:21 PST

Barack Obama shooting "skeet" at Camp David (Getty)It is Barack Obama’s “I didn’t inhale” moment when he looks silly, dumb and plain stupidI’m talking about the picture of our president shooting off some kind of gun at Camp David and pretending he is somehow on the side of gun ownersHe’s not and he knows it and so does the worldSome clever(?) PR guy wanted it both ways and released the old photo of the president skeet shooting, whatever that is READ MORE

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid warns Republicans about immigration reform - VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 04:41:03 PST

By: KERRY O'SHEA

Senate majority leader Harry Reid says he believes the proposed immigration reforms announced last week will pass. He warned Republicans not to oppose it. He spoke with George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s ‘This Week’ on Sunday.

Jimmy Breslin gets last laugh as he outlives former Mayor Ed Koch (IrishCentral)

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 04:42:58 PST

By: KERRY O'SHEA

With the death of New York City’s former Mayor Ed Koch at the age of 88 last week, a decades-long feud between him and journalist Jimmy Breslin also comes to an end.

Bill Maher likens axed Sarah Palin to Glenn Beck - VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 05:02:27 PST

By: KERRY O'SHEA

On his talk show ‘Real Time with Bill Maher,’ Bill Maher explained how Sarah Palin being fired from Fox News may not be the somewhat comforting news that liberals were enjoying.

Former President Bill Clinton to speak at Mayor Ed Koch’s funeral (IrishCentral)

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 05:14:32 PST

By: KERRY O'SHEA

Former President Bill Clinton is set to speak at former New York City mayor Ed Koch’s funeral on Monday.

The New York Post reports that Clinton is one of several people chosen by Koch, the 105th Mayor of New York City, himself to speak at his funeral. Koch played an integral role in helping get Hillary Clinton’s political career started.

NRA’s Wayne LaPierre singles out violent Chicago and calls for 1,000 federal agents to patrol its streets (IrishCentral)

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 04:46:23 PST

Bill Clinton pays tribute to “quintessential” New Yorker Ed Koch - Hundreds pay tribute to former mayor- VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:32:25 PST

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

Political figures mixed with constituents as over 350 people turned out to pay their respects to Ed Koch. Among the mourners was former president Bill Clinton who spoke during the funeral ceremony.

JFK’s daughter Caroline Kennedy could be named a U.S. ambassador by Obama (IrishCentral)

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 04:03:07 PST

By: JAMES O'SHEA

Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of former president John F Kennedy, is one of the names mentioned as a replacement for David Jacobson, as the United States Ambassador to Canada.

Christine Quinn jokes about beating Rudy Giuliani in a mayor's race 'I would have kicked his ass' (IrishCentral)

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 04:40:51 PST

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

If Democratic candidate Christine Quinn had run against Rudy Giuliani in 1992, she would have "kicked his ass," she joked, during a panel discussion on Monday night.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton unveils slick new website, fuels Presidential rumors (IrishCentral)

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 05:03:47 PST

By: KERRY O’SHEA

Just days after formally stepping down from her role as Secretary of State under President Obama, Hillary Clinton unveiled a slick new website which has, in turn, further fueled rumors that the former first lady may be eyeing a run in 2016.

Obama CIA appointee Brennan gets heckled by code pink and mugged by senators (IrishCentral)

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 05:31:23 PST

Arise Sir Mike! Bloomberg the Brit wannabe revealed by New York Times -- Ascot, top hats, staying with Prince Charles, all part of the new Mike (IrishCentral)

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 04:47:35 PST

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, right, greets Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, left as her husband Prince Philip watches (Credit:AP)The mystery over what Mike Bloomberg will do when he stops being Mayor of New York seems to be solvedThe New York Times reveals today that Bloomberg wants more than anything to be British and is building the ultimate vanity project in Britain, his own ‘grandiose’ development in London’s financial district, named after himself--who else?The article also reveals that Mayor Mike loves to attend Royal Ascot races in his top hat and tails and has stayed at the country home of Prince Charles Thrilling stuff!The Times notes that, “He bought a box at Ascot, the high-society horse racing grounds, and flew in celebrities by helicopter from London (Guests received a photograph of themselves drinking Champagne with the top-hatted host READ MORE

CIA chief confirmation hearing for John Brennan interrupted by protesters (IrishCentral)

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 05:23:16 PST

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

John Brennan’s confirmation hearing for CIA chief was temporarily halted on Thursday after protesters persistently interrupted the proceedings.

Will President Barack Obama's State of the Union Speech be like a scene from the movie "Outlaw Josey Wales"? (IrishCentral)

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 02:01:32 PST

Former FBI agent claims he witnessed CIA boss John Brennan convert to Islam – VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 04:42:50 PST

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

An ex-FBI agent has claimed that President Barack Obama’s CIA nominee John Brennan secretly converted to Islam.

Robert F Kennedy and son Conor arrested outside White House after Sierra Club protest - VIDEO (IrishCentral)

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 04:47:46 PST

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

Two members of the Kennedy clan were arrested outside the White House on Wednesday for their involvement in a high profile protest over global warming.

New book claims John F Kennedy released US criminals from prison to curb the Communist threat (IrishCentral)

Sat, 16 Feb 2013 06:20:46 PST

By: IRISHCENTRAL STAFF WRITERS

Many claims have been made about President John F. Kennedy over the years, with increasingly salacious stories grabbing the headlines as the years go by. But the latest explosive claims by journalist Bill Deane set a new high bar in dramatic claims about the assassinated former president.

Congressman Joe Kennedy III off to a fast start on Capitol Hill (IrishCentral)

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 04:28:40 PST

By: JAMES O'SHEA

Congressman Joe Kennedy is off to a fast start on Capitol Hill, impressing insiders there with his low-key demeanor and his ability to get along.

Immigration hopes and dreams crushed by Republican Party (IrishCentral)

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 06:46:35 PST

The fondest hopes of millions, still hidden in the nations shadows, have just met the Republican PartyMessage: your hopes and dreams are 'dead on arrival'Fresh from his still not-ready-for-prime-time performance after the State of the Union, the GOP's latest used car salesman Senator Marco Rubio has a message for the particularly hard working men and women who run America's service economy: go to the back of the bus - and be thankful if we don't send you packing back to whatever God forsaken nation you spring fromJust hours after President Obama's immigration reform plan was leaked to the press this week Rubio sent out a press release of his own:'It’s a mistake for the White House to draft immigration legislation without seeking input from Republican members of Congress,' the statement begins, before going on to call the bill 'half-baked and seriously flawed' and declaring that 'if actually proposed, the President’s bill would be dead on arrival in Congress READ MORE

Defending the Irish community against racist claims in New York Times -- Same old story as Hurricane Sandy relief efforts questioned (IrishCentral)

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 04:31:38 PST

Irish Day of Action - Irish community lends a hand after SandySome weeks back I had calls from several concerned Irish working to restore Breezy Point and other areas in the Rockaways about the attitude of the New York Times reporter Sarah Maslin Nir who was covering the storyShe seemed intent, according to them, on pointing out to everyone that Breezy Point was a whites only community and that the community there had been accused of racism in the pastThe calls were from people who had flown in from Ireland to help with the restoration of Rockaway and some Irish based here were perplexed at the attitude of the reporter who was making her concerns known loudlyWith good reason READ MORE

Hillary Clinton hits the paid speeches circuit - former Secretary of State to do pro-bono work for charities (IrishCentral)

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 04:27:10 PST

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

Jubilant conservatives might want to temper their excitement; Politico is reporting that Hillary Clinton plans to give a series of lucrative paid speeches this year.

Republican effort to block Chuck Hagel’s confirmation as US Secretary of Defence is a disgrace (IrishCentral)

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 04:46:39 PST

Chuck HagelEvery once in a while, something transpires in politics that makes even the most cynical and hardened of observers shake his head I found myself shaking my head over the weekend in the wake of the Senate vote to delay the confirmation of Chuck Hagel to be the next US Secretary of Defense Invoking a cloture vote, which, like a filibuster, requires 60 votes in the 100 member US Senate, 40 Republicans voted to delay taking the final decisionWithout delving unnecessarily into the labyrinthine procedural rules of the US Senate, a hyper-deliberative body that moves at glacial speed, the cloture vote means that the actual confirmation vote mightn’t take place until early March READ MORE

Stephen Colbert's sister Elizabeth running for Congress in South Carolina (IrishCentral)

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 04:47:12 PST

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

The sister of Comedy Central star Stephen Colbert is running for a vacant South Carolina seat in Congress.

Sandy aid shows, Irish sit in the back of the Democrat party bus (IrishCentral)

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 01:46:42 PST

Obama isn't Hitler or Stalin or the Anti-Christ (IrishCentral)

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:16:38 PST

In the Harry Potter alternative universe that is the acknowledged home of the floundering Tea Party, they have finally stopped comparing President Obama to the rogues gallery of lesser known tyrantsNow they're just flat out saying he's Hitler And Stalin And the Anti-Christ READ MORE

Vice President Joe Biden to be honored in Irish America Hall of Fame -- Biden set to be main speaker at annual Irish America event (IrishCentral)

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 04:16:40 PST

Vice President Joe BidenOur sister publication Irish America magazine is delighted to announce that Vice President Joe Biden will be the main speaker and an honoree at the annual Irish America Hall of Fame event in March in New YorkThe Irish America Hall of Fame was founded in 2010 by Irish America magazine to honor the extraordinary achievements of Irish American leadersBiden is of Irish descent on his maternal side of the family His great-grandfather, James Finnegan, emigrated to America from Carlingford, Co READ MORE

Joe Biden acts on gun control in Connecticut ‘There’s a moral price for inaction’ (IrishCentral)

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 04:46:38 PST

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

Vice President Joe Biden has called tougher gun control laws on Thursday at a conference on gun violence just miles from Newtown, Connecticut, the town still reeling from the horrific shooting massacre at an elementary school there in December.

Majority of Republicans favor deportation of undocumented immigrants (IrishCentral)

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 04:50:16 PST

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

The majority of US citizens think that undocumented immigrants in the United States should be deported, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday.

Ireland’s US Ambassador Michael Collins welcomes West Point alumni in Washington DC (IrishCentral)

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 05:27:03 PST

By: JANE WALSH

Ambassador Michael Collins has welcomed West Point alumni to the Embassy, as well as Ireland Reunions founder, Certificate of Heritage Affiliated Genealogist and West Point alumnus, Mike Healy.

Time for the Oscars to have a “best of” politicians category (IrishCentral)

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 06:01:49 PST

Michelle Obama presents an Oscar to Ben AffleckThe Oscar ceremonies finally sealed the deal between Hollywood and Washington DCIn an unprecedented move, Michelle Obama appeared on the Oscar stage via big screen Direct from the White house, she was there to announce who won best picture To add even more dignity and state sponsorship to the occasion, Mrs READ MORE

Rush Limbaugh says ‘The Left has won’ -- explains he's ashamed of America - AUDIO (IrishCentral)

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 04:59:31 PST

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

Undisputed king of talk radio Rush Limbaugh has apparently just reached the fourth stage of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's five stages of grief: depression.

Irish American VP Joe Biden looks ‘tough and radiant’ in new White House portrait say critics (IrishCentral)

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 04:59:25 PST

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

The White House's second term portrait of Vice President Joe Biden is eliciting praise from tough critics.

Caroline Kennedy will be next Ambassador to Japan (IrishCentral)

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:11:23 PST

By: NIALL O'DOWD

Caroline Kennedy will be the next Ambassador to Japan, Bloomberg News is reporting.

The sequester - once again President Obama fails to lead (IrishCentral)

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 05:31:52 PST

Sequester threatens St. Patrick’s Day activities across the U.S. and Ireland (IrishCentral)

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 04:04:27 PST

By: NIALL O'DOWD

There are now fears that the sequester, the mandated cutbacks by the US government in government services, due to start March 1st, could deeply affect St. Patrick’s Day activities both in America and Ireland.

Irish American mayoral hopeful Christine Quinn leads Democrats in latest primary poll (IrishCentral)

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 05:04:09 PST

By: IrishCentral Staff Writers

Mayoral hopeful Christine Quinn has once again topped the latest poll in Democratic primary for New York mayor.

The Irish can’t win on race - Sanitation workers case on favoritism to the Irish post Superstorm Sandy (IrishCentral)

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 05:16:55 PST

NYC Sanitation Commissioner John DohertyIn the wake of Hurricane Sandy, New York City Sanitation workers have gotten much-deserved credit for swiftly cleaning up storm-ravaged sections of the five boroughs, from Staten Island to the Rockaways But last week, the Sanitation Department -- and its Irish American fraternal organization -- were in the news for a more controversial reason A number of sanitation workers filed a lawsuit claiming widespread racial bias in the department -- and blamed the Irish READ MORE