THE race to the White House is well and truly on, with wall to all coverage and excitement building as both nominations are up for grabs coming up to Super Tuesday on February 5.In Irish America, where there are always more viewpoints than presidential candidates, the Irish Voice caught up with some prominent community activists to hear their opinion on how the most exciting presidential race in their lifetimes is shaping up.Brian O'Dwyer, the prominent New York Democrat who is a long-time supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton, is encouraged by her current progress. "I think we're in excellent shape for the February 5th Super Tuesday primary. She won two out of the three major primaries and we're set to go into Florida," O'Dwyer said."Then we're going to the areas where her strength lies, which is with working class people and white ethnic Catholics. We're really very encouraged."For O'Dwyer, Clinton's selection would have important long-term implications for Irish America. "Ireland is a small country in Europe and yet under the Clinton administration it has gotten a huge amount of attention. She's been there seven times and Irish issues will be top priority to her as opposed to no other candidate."Bruce Morrison, the former congressman from Connecticut and fellow Clinton supporter, agreed with O'Dwyer's assessment, adding that he is also heartened by her progress."I think that she is doing very well and honed her message after Iowa in New Hampshire. She made a turnaround in New Hampshire where she finally broke through on the issue of results," Morrison said."The big question is not policy positions, the question is who's going to deliver on these ideas when she or he gets to the White House. What Hillary has been doing best is citing her experiences as reflected in results."With regard to which candidate would best represent the concerns of Irish America, Morrison echoes O'Dwyer's sentiments."Hillary was a part of what was done with the Clinton administration in the 1990s, by which I mean she was part of the fundamental change with regard to policy in Northern Ireland. But for the Clinton administration I don't think we'd be celebrating the kind of breakthrough peace process that we have in Northern Ireland now," Morrison said."We can count on her being in our corner in Irish America both with respect to the peace process and follow on issues of economic development."Adrian Flannelly, the well-known broadcaster and Irish community liaison to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, is supporting former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's campaign for the GOP nod, although he expressed his doubt that the next round of primaries would be successful for his chosen candidate. "I think that Florida doesn't appear to be living up to expectations for Giuliani. He put all his eggs in one basket there and we'll have to wait for it to shake out," he said."Rudy is much more liable to get negative coverage from the press because of his abrasiveness or whatever. But he's a figure to be reckoned with. He's still very much in the race."Jeff Cleary, the executive director of the Irish American Republicans, is - like his organization - supporting Senator John McCain. It is, Cleary admits, unusual for his organization to throw its support behind a candidate before the primaries produce an end result, but he claimed the group's enthusiasm is justified by McCain's ability."I think his campaign is doing remarkably well compared to where we were over the summer. There's been a dramatic shift toward his candidacy," said Cleary."He's been able to effectively get his message out. He's the candidate with the greatest foreign policy experience and I think he'll be victorious in Florida. No one else has the resume, the integrity, or the respect of his peers that Senator McCain does."Clearly also reflected on what a McCain presidency might mean for Irish America, suggesting that the senator has always been a strong supporter of Irish American concerns. "He's been overwhelmingly supportive of the peace process. He was a voice when other people weren't there," said Cleary."One of the things that everyone should admire is that in regard to immigration he is looking for real solutions to a difficult problem. He knows it's an issue that needs to be dealt with. And he's unique in that regard because I haven't seen a comprehensive immigration plan offered by either party."Cleary added that the Irish American Republicans group very rarely endorsed a candidate in a primary situation. However, a year ago the executive board unanimously endorsed McCain at the annual Irish American Republican event the day he announced his candidacy for president. "His decision to talk only to an Irish American group on that says something about where he holds the Irish. It was a very important day for him," said Cleary.Rory Finnin, an Irish-born New York-based volunteer for Senator Barack Obama's campaign, acknowledges that currently there are not many Irish Americans working as a group on behalf of his candidate in the city - although there is a fledgling Irish Americans for Obama group in the planning stages. Undeterred, Finnin plans to canvas strongly on the senator's behalf and he notes that like himself Obama can boast of his Irish heritage, too."One of the first things that resonated about Senator Obama for me was his discussion of his immigrant background. He mentioned that his ancestors had come to America to seek a better life and that's something I can relate to," said Finnin."When I first heard Obama speak I was taken by the fact that he was an honest straightforward speaker. He said we had to move beyond the cynicism that had overtaken politics here."Asked how he related Obama's candidacy to the concerns of Irish America Finnin replied, "The story of Ireland is one of an audaciously hopeful people. Growing up as an Irish American, it was always made clear to me that hope meant a call to action. I relate that to the political strife in Northern Ireland. "Hope means hard work and the willingness to do it. That's his message. It's why I'm a member of his team."