Intelligencer

All GOP Hands on Deck

IT seems that New York Governor George Pataki emptied out his staff offices last week and had every available man or woman head for a battleground state, mostly to Ohio, as the razor edge presidential election neared the end.

The Irish American Republicans group, which forms a large part of the backbone of Pataki’s staff, were among those heading to the battleground states. For some there was a clear sense of déjà vu all over again.

Back in 2000 the same team was dispatched to Florida to protest the recount, and they did a good job in that they played a role in having the recount stopped in Bush’s favor.

At the time of writing it is impossible to summarize how this year’s election will pan out, but it will be no surprise to learn that some of the Pataki people packed more than an overnight bag and toothbrush when they headed off.

Indeed, they may be there quite some time if the disputes in this election continue beyond the closing of the polls. At least they are battle hardened from Florida, and some were quite looking forward to the trip.

O’Leary Heads South

MEANWHILE in Washington, D.C., Stella O’Leary, head of the Irish American Democrats, was making her own arrangements to help make a difference in the election.

O’Leary and her large extended family decamped to Florida en masse in an attempt to help out in the key battleground state.

O’Leary’s energy and enthusiasm for her cause is well known, but to move her family 1,000 miles south for the election was quite an accomplishment which involved her three daughters getting time off work, etc.

Like the Republicans, however, O’Leary’s enthusiasm for the cause is unbridled. In 2000 she grew particularly close to Al Gore and would have been a very welcome visitor at the White House if he had won. This time around she put the same effort in for John Kerry.

Echo Endorses Kerry

NO doubt some of the longtime readers of the Irish Echo probably choked on their Corn Flakes last week when the newspaper, known for its conservative readership, endorsed John Kerry for president.

It was quite a brave move by the newspaper, which has in the past taken quite conservative positions on such matters. The paper made no bones about its endorsement, making it quite clear that they believe Kerry is the better candidate.

The endorsement marked a one-two punch for the Irish American media. Given the fact that this newspaper also endorsed Kerry, it marks the first time ever that both major Irish newspapers backed a Democrat.

Honor for Morrison

THERE is a long overdue honor for former Congressman Bruce Morrison this week in Ireland. The originator of the Morrison visa program is receiving an honorary degree from University College Dublin in recognition of his outstanding work in helping Irish immigrants get legal status in the U.S.

Morrison’s honor was the work of new University College Dublin president Dr. Hugh Brady, a former professor of medicine at Harvard who moved back to Ireland to practice medicine but has now become the head of Ireland’s largest university.

Brady saw first hand the extraordinary benefits of the Morrison visa program for so many Irish, so he decided that Morrison deserved the singular honor. Nice move, and one that was a long overdue recognition of Irish America.

Newsom’s Ambitions

INTERESTING piece in The New Yorker recently about San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and his national ambitions. Newsom, whose father Judge William Newsom was head of the San Francisco-based Irish Forum for many years, is best known at present for his radical decision to allow gay marriages in the city.

The New Yorker says that this move by Newsom is only a prelude to a run for governor when Arnold Schwarzenegger’s term is up in a few years. The article notes that Newsom is relentlessly ambitious and sees himself some day challenging for the White House.

Newsom is married to Kimberly Guilfoyle Newsom, whose father is from Co. Tipperary. They are the golden couple of San Francisco society.

She is leading court trial expert, often appearing on the networks while he has become the darling of many San Francisco liberal and gays. All of which, however, way make it very tough for him to run on a statewide or national ticket.

Kenny Gets Rave Reviews

WHATEVER the fate of George W. Bush in the election, there will be genuine regret in Dublin circles if U.S. Ambassador James Kenny has to return home.

Kenny has impressed all Irish Americans who have met him over the past six months or so. Unlike his predecessor Richard Egan, Kenny is deeply involved on a number of levels and has made a very favorable impression in Ireland, despite the fact that his boss in Washington, Bush, is hardly the most popular president in Ireland to put it mildly.

“Kenny reminds me of Mike Sullivan,” said one leading Irish American last week.

The comparison is apt. Sullivan, former governor of Wyoming, was a major player in the peace process and really dug into his Irish brief. It seems Kenny has done the same.