O'Bama
By perrygunight
@perrygunight (555)
United States
June 4, 2008 12:25pm CST
Why is Barack Obama's Irish ancestry given so much less news coverage than the Kenyan half? Is it because there have already been so many presidents with Irish blood? How many? Who were they? It would be interesting to know.
2 responses
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
4 Jun 08
I don't know how many presidents had Irish ancestors. But Obama doesn't exactly look Irish and his 'stressed' heritage appeals to the minorities. His campaign had a big hand in that as well.
@tigertang (1749)
• Singapore
4 Jun 08
Ya, the Kenyan Heritage has more appeal to the media and marketing people. Most of the ethnic groups that are pushing for representation are those of a different skin colour. The last Irish guys who got lots of attention were the Kenedy's in the 60 - Jack Kenedy made history as the Youngest and First Ever Irish Catholic to hold the Presidency. May Barak not go the same way as Jack Kenedy.
@perrygunight (555)
• United States
5 Jun 08
He definitely will need to work on getting the support of all those older blue-collar workers. Many of them fear change, and yet Clinton managed to gain the support of some, so there's hope.
Both Kennedy and Obama have made excellent speeches ("Ask not what your country can do for you...") and Obama can bring this country back from the third world status into which it has fallen. He should have better security than was available 45 years ago, and should live long enough to see his name in history books for his grandchildren.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
4 Jun 08
Obama has made history based on his Kenyan heritage so that's of much more importance to the media than his Irish blood. I don't know how many former presidents were of Irish heritage so that's why it's not news. Obama's Kenyan heritage is one of the things that makes him unique in this race and people are always more interested in things that are fresh and new rather than the same old, same old.
@perrygunight (555)
• United States
5 Jun 08
The novelty of his skin color should fade soon, I hope. His plans for getting Americans back to work and covered by health insurance are much more relevant than anyone's race. I think the media did a pretty good job of covering his speech last night, concentrating on what he said and the meaning of it.
