Obama to visit Ireland in April 2009 ?

CNN & the news wires are reporting the President Obama (as he will be in April 09) will attend the G20 meeting to be hosted by PM Gordon Brown on April 2. This will likely represent the first over seas trip by the new President as is seen as a coup for PM Brown.

Brian Cowan Taoiseach and fellow Offaly man invited the President elect to visit his ancesteral home, when the two men spoke by phone recently. Paddy Powers bookmakers are offering odds of 25/1 for a visit in 2009, looks like good odds in the circumstances.  A stop over on his way to the G20 or on the way back is a possibility.

A presidential visit could be a good boost for the country and add a bit of excitement to what looks likely to be a bleak year. So dust off your faded US flags, your Obama for president T-shirts and badges (still availabe at Obama.com) and your O’bama signs ( to be found on the Irish American Democrats site). and I’ll see you in Offaly in April.

Do we need a ” Team of Rivals ” in Ireland 2008/09

Abe Lincoln’s team of rivals, Edward Bates, attorney general; William H. Seward, secretary of state; Edwin M. Stanton, secretary of war; Salmon P. Chase, Treasury secretary are said to be the inspiration for President -elect Obamas surprise choice of (NY D) Senator  Hillary R Clinton for the prestigious post of Secretary of State. When asked about his appointments President Lincoln said ” “We needed the strongest men of the party in the cabinet.”These were the very strongest men. Then I had no right to deprive the country of their services.”  Doris Kearns Goodwin in her definitive book on the cabinet appointments of Abraham Lincoln, “Team of Rivals: The political genius of Abraham Lincoln” captures the mood of a period when a little known senator from the state of Illinois launched an audacious bid for the presidency of the US against the fiercest of rivals and against all the odds succeeded. Then the newly elected President Lincoln appointed the very men he had beaten for the Republican Party nomination to his cabinet creating the Team of Rivals.

At such an uncertain time for the Irish economy, should Taoiseach Brain Cowen have taken a leaf from Lincoln and Obama and appoint not just his closest allies Lenihan, Coughlan & O’Keefe to Cabinet but the strongest men and women to serve.

When elected Taoiseach in May, Brian Cowen sidelined senior ministers such as Michael Martin, Dermot Ahern and Mary Hanafin. Preferring to promote Brian Lenihan, Mary Coughlan and Batt O’Keefe. As a life long supporter of Fianna Fail it gives me no pleasure to say that none of the three appear up to the jobs they were give.

The question now is can Cowen himself provide the leadership that is required, will he put in place a Team of Rivals. Would he sum up the courage to drop the 3 close friends that he promoted above their  payscale or take a real leap of faith and invite from across the aisle some of the best and brightest from Fine Gael and Labour. Now that would be a real Team of Rivals and show real leadership.

Oh, what a night!

The long journey has come to an end.  Well done to President elect Obama and all his team. The campaign will be analysed and picked over in the days and months ahead but for now enjoy this historic moment.   Over here in Ireland we look forward to welcoming home President O’Bama.

This is the day, this is his hour.

 

 Much has ben written, hours of discussion have dominated our airwaves and here we are Election Day 2008.

I would be dishonest if I didn’t at the out set make clear when Obama launched his bid for the Presidency I was supporting Hillary Clinton.

During the closely contested Democratic Primaries Obama grew into the challenge and became stronger with each challenge.

Today he stands on the brink of history. His theme of hope and change has resonated around the world. Today we need his optimism more than ever .

Get out the vote, remember the disappointmemt of 2000 & 2004, . Go Vote , Go Obama

Hope you like the new Header

Hope you like the new header, until after election day 4th Nov 2008, I have decided to change the header on McAuliffe’s Musings. Hope that all fellow Democrat supporters  approve, to all Republicans any respect I had for John McCain vanished with  his selection of  Sarah Palin as his VP choice. If you need to ask why then you clearly dont get it, just watch her rabbit in the head lights performance with Katie Curic.

So get out the vote and elect Obama – Biden, for all our sakes!

“Signed, sealed, delivered, I’m yours”

Stevie Wonder at DNC

So sang Stevie Wonder at the Democratic National Convention in Denver’s Mile High Stadium last night. Young, Black and Gifted that was how “little” Stevie Wonder was described when he first launched on to the pop scene. These words could also be used about the latest “pop” sensation Barack Obama. In what was part rock concert, part political theatre, Barack Obama accepted the nomination of the Democratic Party in his bid to be the next President of the United States of America. He was both assured and as ever eloquent.  He stands in stark contrast to the incumbent and to Sen. John McCain.  My heart was with Hillary but I have to say after last night Obama is my man. Maybe its the lack of sleep ( I went to bed at 4.00am Irish time when coverage of the  Obama speech finished) but I believe that America needs the type of leadership that Obama offers right now. So members & supporters of the Democratic party finish the job that was started with Gore in 2000 & Kerry in 2004 and take back the White House.