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Irish Voice News

Obama to Address Irish Forum?

May 23, 2008

By Cahir O’Doherty

SENATOR Barack Obama may yet attend the 2008 Irish American Presidential Forum, depending on his schedule and whether his likely opponent Senator John McCain also participates.

Obama received the request to attend from former New York State Assemblyman John Dearie, who created the first presidential forum in 1984 and has run the event in every presidential election since.

Asked if McCain will attend the forum, Dearie told the Irish Voice, “I don’t have a fixed date, but it appears as if it will take place in Philadelphia in mid-June, perhaps at one of the colleges there. I’m very hopeful. It’s close to a final decision.”

Dearie added, “It’s going to be McCain and Obama in November there’s no question about that now. We have already submitted the request to both campaigns.

“My sense is that it’s going to be a one-two step — they’re aware that Senator Hillary Clinton has participated in it. They are also aware that there has not been a Republican participant. At the point when — not if — McCain accepts that will be the catalyst for the Obama campaign to seriously evaluate their own participation.”

Given all the recent speculation in the media about where the Catholic vote is this year, Dearie contends that this will be a helpful factor for both campaigns to consider.

“Our prime focus right now is finalizing the details with the McCain campaign. When that happens we’ll turn to the final step of this with Obama,” he said.

The questions the senators will be asked, if they attend, concern America’s role in the Irish peace process. They will be asked if they will send a special American peace envoy to Northern Ireland as both Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush did.

The forum will ask them to outline their position on immigration reform, if they will continue to host White House Irish trade conferences, and if they would welcome an annual visit and progress report form Northern Irish political leaders. The final question asks the candidates if they will make a presidential visit.

“We have the six point Irish American agenda that we asked Hillary Clinton about. Those questions will remain consistent and be asked of the other candidates too,” Dearie said.

“At the end of the day the goal is that before this election takes place we’ll be in a position to have both candidates participate and to have their positions on these questions summarized. The Irish American community will then be able to make an informed decision in November.

“As every commentator has said the Catholic vote in this election is more significant than in the past and we’re a significant portion of that vote. My gut feeling is that they’ll both participate.”

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