Dearie Pops the Questions

NEW York activist John Dearie, founder of the Irish American presidential forum, has come up with the questions which will be asked of the presidential candidates at this year's event.

Dearie is hoping to schedule the event around the St. Patrick's Day period in New York City. Given his previous success in ensuring Irish presidential forums, we can expect it to happen.

Dearie points out that the last primary before St. Patrick's Day is Mississippi on March 11, and then the next is in Pennsylvania on April 22, making the St. Patrick's Day period a definite opportunity.

Dearie's six questions begin with the American involvement in Northern Ireland. His first question asks, "As president how would you envision your administration's role in the emerging Irish peace process and economic expansion?"

The second question stays on the same path: "As president would you continue the tradition of appointing special peace envoys to Northern Ireland?"

Dearie then envisages moving on to immigration policy, the real hot button issue this year. "What are your general views on immigration policy, and how would you envisage your administration addressing them?"

Economic interaction between the U.S. and Northern Ireland is obviously a very key issue in terms of future prospects for economic growth in the North.

Dearie asks, "To spur continued economic growth, will you as president convene a White House conference in American-Ireland trade within the first 24 months of your administration?"

In terms of Northern Ireland Dearie also wants to know, "Would you commit yourself as president to visiting Ireland and Northern Ireland during your first term in office."

Also he asks, "Would you as president personally meet . with the political leaders of Northern Ireland to directly hear a report on progress while bringing the message of American interest in achieving peace to that region through your personal participation."

All good questions, and never forget it was Dearie's queries to Bill Clinton back in 1992 about a visa for Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams that Clinton responded to in the affirmative which lit that particular fire.

Ahern in Congress

TAOISEACH (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern will address a Joint Session of Congress in either the last week in April or the first week in May, the Irish government has revealed.

The address to the Joint Session will be the first by a Fianna Fail leader since Eamon de Valera in 1960.

Amazingly, three Fine Gael leaders, Liam Cosgrave, Garret FitzGerald and John Bruton, have addressed joint sessions in the interim despite the fact that Fianna Fail governments have been overwhelmingly in power.

When he gives his speech Ahern will be one of just a handful of leaders who have had the honor of addressing joint sessions of both the British and American legislatures.

Ahern's address is expected to focus heavily on the Northern Ireland peace process, the success of the "Celtic tiger" and the incredibly close ties between Ireland and the U.S. Let's hope he includes immigration in there as well.

Revenge of the Patakis

WITH Senator John McCain now running well ahead of Rudy Giuliani in New York, it is hardly surprising that there is a strong sprinkling of key allies of former Governor George Pataki's people in McCain's newly announced New York leadership committee.

Of course Pataki supporters would never admit the fact that they have waited a long time in the long grass for this moment, ever since Giuliani crossed over party lines to endorse Mario Cuomo against Pataki in his first run for governor.

Heading the names on the new committee is Mike Finnegan, former chief counsel to Pataki, who was key figure in the first two terms of the former governor.

Also on the list are two leaders in the Irish American Republicans group, Kevin Hanratty and lawyer Grant Lally.

Many have commented on the number of Irish for McCain banners and posters appearing at the candidate's rallies, and Irish American Republicans have definitely been playing that role.

McCain, of course, has Irish roots in Co. Antrim and appeared at several rallies for the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform in Washington and in the Bronx last year.

Finnegan for Congress?

MIKE Finnegan is also considering a run for Congress for the seat of freshman Democrat John Hall in the 19th congressional district in upstate New York.

Finnegan was approached by Republican Party officials and initially turned them down, but has since reconsidered according to insiders.

Finnegan would certainly have a shot. The 19th district, mainly composed of parts of Orange, Westchester and Ulster counties, was a solid Republican hold until Sue Kelly was upended in the Democratic landslide in 2006. She still only lost by less than 5,000 votes.

Currently, the only announced candidate is Kieran Lalor, a former schoolteacher, but former Congressman Joseph DioGuardi has also stated he might run.

Finnegan would probably easily get the nomination, and with McCain at the top of the ticket would definitely have a shot. It remains to seen, however, if Finnegan would give up his lucrative investment banking career.

Finnegan recently wrote a moving article about growing up in the area for Irish America magazine.