So finally after 24 years, a Republican candidate has made it to an Irish presidential forum. It happened yesterday in Scranton and you can read editor Ray O’Hanlon’s report from the scene in tomorrow’s Irish Echo. But it would seem that a condition had to be met before this milestone could happen and that was -- the forum could double as a GOP rally.
Several notable Irish figures in the area only learned of the event when contacted by media outlets.
"This is the first I've heard of it," the president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackwanna County John Keeler told the Scranton Times-Tribune. "I wish [John] McCain well, but I'm kind of on the other side. I know Joe Biden and I've met him several times."
Scranton’s Mayor Chris Doherty was not invited either, the paper reported.
Some naysayers might argue that that you can have a forum and you can have a rally, but you can't have both at the same time, even if you call the latter a "townhall" meeting.
Those who did make it, including the national media, were treated to McCain's one Irish joke. The one about the O'Reilly twins. And he told it again later in the day. It's a real knee-slapper involving drunks. But I don't want to spoil it in case you find yourself at a townhall meeting anytime soon.
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The public objection this week by the Ancient Order of Hibernians to Senator John McCain's continuous telling of 'drunk Irish' jokes is an important news story for your readers.
See AOH National President Seamus Boyle's eloquent, forthright letter at http://www.aoh.com/pages/presidents_letters/2008/pl_092308.html
I don't object to any voter choosing either John McCain or Barak Obama, if they cast their vote on the basis of what is best for Americans and for the United States above every other consideration.
But I want to suggest that Irish-Americans not surrender their principles to partisanship by allowing these 'drunk Irish' jokes to go unanswered. A presidential candidate uttering this joke before millions of viewers simply helps to revive the caricature of the 'drunk Irish' that Irish-Americans have fought against for so many generations.
In fact, Conan O'Brien has already taken McCain's speech and provided his own version of the 'drunk Irish' joke:
"Speaking of John McCain, in his speech today, John McCain said that illegal irish immigrants in America should be allowed to become citizens. Yeah. When asked why, McCain said, 'Because my wife's family owns Budweiser.'" --Conan O'Brien / http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/bldailyfeed3.htm
To end, it's a pity to have to deal with this type of issue when our country faces so many daunting challenges. But I'd hate the thought of John McCain telling his 'drunk Irish' joke at one of the national debates.
Michael P. Quinlin
Boston, Massachusetts
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