Clinton Raises Money in Ireland
Monday, November 19, 2007 at 12:26AM 
Not content to raise vast millions in the United States, the Clinton fundraising machiine hit Ireland Saturday evening for a 1600-euro per head event. Considering all the funny money raised by the likes of Norman Hsu, it's strikes one as odd the Clintons would be raising money overseas.
Then again, we're dealing with the Clintons here, and they'd take the last nickel from a homeless man if given the opportunity.
Former US president Bill Clinton has travelled to Dublin to raise funds for wife Hillary's presidential campaign.
The 1,600 euro-a-head function was held in the Raglan Road home of Dublin lawyer and US citizen Brian Farren.
Only US citizens and Green Card holders were allowed by American law to donate at the fundraising event, organised by the Irish-Americans for Hillary group.
Mr Clinton earlier met Taoiseach Bertie Ahern where he was briefed on recent political progress in Northern Ireland.
A spokeswoman for Mr Ahern said: "The Taoiseach and President Clinton also discussed climate change and modern technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
More on this at Hot Air. Meanwhile, the CNN fallout continues, as Doug Ross unravels the dizzying array of Democrat plants at the Las Vegas debate last Thursday, while a new dust-up has erupted between the Clinton and Obama camps.
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Reader Comments (13)
how much IRA money is coming in brown paper bags through the back door?
"Only US citizens and Green Card holders were allowed by American law to donate at the fundraising event, organised by the Irish-Americans for Hillary group."
tell that to the Chinese waiters around the world...
Yes sir Troll - you got that right.
Right on Troll, I'm pretty sure this Brian Farren goon has IRA/Sinn fein connections if I'm not mistaken. Then again, a creature such as Clinton never had any problems in the past associating with Oirish pondlife.
Are you sure Mr Farren has any SF connections? Or are you just making it up?
>>The 1,600 euro-a-head function was held in the Raglan Road home of Dublin lawyer and US citizen Brian Farren.<<
Imagine Luke Kelly singing:
On Raglan Road on an Autumn's day
I saw him first, and knew
That his grey hair
Would weave a snare
That I might one day rue
I saw the danger yet I passed
Along the enchanted way
And I dropped my cash
At that Yankee bash
At the dawning of the day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlD7tCO3uDY&feature=related
God be with the days when one could be proud to be a Dubliner.
Still, the Clintons helped Ireland possibly more than any other foreigner. We have a debt to pay them.
"Still, the Clintons helped Ireland possibly more than any other foreigner. We have a debt to pay them."
Noel: What does that mean - we have a debt to pay them? And what is the basis of that statement?
I have just read through Doug Ross's report on the CNN debate. These are pretty low people, CNN's personnel and Hillary. Is this really what is needed in the White House?
Allan, for many decades the Northern Ireland problem was considered quicksand by politicians everyhere - an ugly, dirty and insoluable quarrel in a sectarian backwater. British leaders accordingly avoided tackling it, to their great shame, and in fact cared or knew very little above it, while the killings continued.
Then came Bill Clinton. He was always intersted in Britain and Ireland on a professional and personal level. He therefore quickly took Northern Ireland out of the remit of the US State Department and placed it firmly on the table of the National Security Council, where he bashed heads together until they came up with a completely new departure for US policy. Clinton would, for example, often interrupt speakers to point out, say, the areas of overlap and differences between the DUP and UDP! This was at a time when many UK leaders wouldn't have been able to find Co. Tyrone on a map. Shit, even the wife of the US president knew and cared more about NI in those days than many UK govt ministers.
Clinton also didn't relent when things looked really bad, when all the best hopes were disappointed; instead, he continued with the same energy and dedication, and no little charm, until a solution was found.
The people of Ireland will not be found wanting when it comes to showing their gratitude for these personal eforts. The number of people walking around in NI who would otherwise now be dead are proof that politics and politicians can make a difference.
The IRA are indebted to Clinton if no one else is!
''Imagine Luke Kelly singing:''
There'll never be another Luke Kelly. He was a sad loss to Dublin.
Noel,
Thanks for your kind words on American influence in Ireland. They are truly appreciated.
"The IRA are indebted to Clinton"
Good response to that baloney David - given who funded their activities. That is the extent of american influence in Ireland.
And how many people would be "walking around" if ONeill had been given some more time? Attacked on 3 sides by firstly Paisley ,who then wanted to be "master in his own house". He ended up a chuckle brother "administring" limited power with an IRA godfather. Secondly under threat from his own party including Faulkner and Craig, Brian was desperate to be PM while his daddy was still alive. He opposed ONeill like Craig and "one man one vote". Despite that ONeill got it through, these two "hardliners "ended up one pro Sunningdale, the other calling for a link with the SDLP. The third side being the so called "peoples democracy", deliberately sending marches through the constituencies of ONeill and Chichester Clark to highten tension. Then standing a candidate knowing they couldnt win in Bannside, but taking any catholic votes of ONeill would let Paisley win ,they like Paisley wanted instability leading to power! ONeills enemies either disapeared or conceded far more ground than he ever would have done! ONeill also realised (semi) direct rule really began in 1969, when troops arrived, Callaghan brought over a London police officer, and had an "ambassador" figure reporting back too him at the Home office, in what was supposed to be part of the UK. As some one from the UUP said last week "Can Ian Paisley tell us what the last 38 years were for?"
Guiliani and Thompson have also crossed the pond in this foolish political season. The whole thing strikes me as wrong, like the New York Giants playing in London.
As for Clinton, who I am not overly fond of personally, the record shows his positive contributions to Ireland and the NI peace process were significant. Anyone who says otherwise is offering sour grapes.