SCRANTON, Pa. - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama joined in some classic Irish-American pastimes on St. Patrick’s Day but he initially forgot one important tradition: wearing green.
Obama headed out to Pennsylvania — a state with a sizable number of voters with Irish heritage — wearing a light blue tie.
Because of St. Patrick’s Day festivities over the weekend, including a big parade in Chicago, Obama said he had “sort of lost track” that Monday was the actual holiday.
As he stopped by a pub in Scranton, he said he planned to change into a green tie later.
“I confiscated one from one of my staffers,” Obama said.
By evening, as he spoke at an Irish Women’s Society dinner, he was sporting a mint-green tie. And as many politicians do on St. Patrick’s Day, he also touted his ties to Ireland, talking of a great grandfather who came from the Emerald Isle and settled in Ohio.
“It never hurts to be a little Irish in you when you’re running for office in the United States,” Obama said.
His rival for the Democratic nomination to run in November’s presidential election, Sen. Hillary Clinton, hit the campaign trail on Monday wearing a silk scarf with green on it.
Trackback
16 comments so far
here are my thoughts on whether or not the race in pennsylvania really matters
http://thevote.abc13.com/2008/03/a-look- ahead-to.html
- Posted by tom abrahamsHow could he forget that it was St. Patrick’s Day? He’s from Chicago were they dye the river green for the day.
Perhaps, this belongs in the same category that he wasn’t in church when Rev. Wright denounced the USA.
Poor Obama, he is surrounded by a staff who doesn’t pick up on the importance of the 17th of March.
Gary
- Posted by GaryObama has an irish blood from his great grand father and this year we celebrated early in Chicago. The forces of division and ppl who can not get over the skin color are out to get Obama, but me as an Old irish seller will bet my last dollar on Obama. I said OBAMA 08
- Posted by JohnNote to Barak Hussien Obama:
- Posted by PatListen to the Irish - they love America, unlike your spiritual mentor.
Not wearing green on St. Patricks Day is minutia compared to the state of America at this point. I respect the Irish and I myself wore green yesterday(Go Army), but give the man a break. Is there going to be an article if he doesn’t wear pink on Breast Cancer Day?
- Posted by NatashaNot that anyone really cares, but St. Patrick’s Day was on Saturday the 15th, not Monday the 17th. The Catholics changed it, because this year the 17th happened to fall during Holy Week… and then forgot to tell anyone.
- Posted by JonFrom a100% Irish point of view everybody over here is behind obama, we loved bill but Hillary is no bill and even tho we can’t vote for him he is inspiring a whole genration
- Posted by brianHe forgets to place his hand over his heart during the Pledge, he won’t wear an American flag on his lapel, forgets about his Irish heritage and skips the green, forgets or chooses to forget his Rev’s anti-white rhetoric at the church he attended for 20 years. Not someone to lead this country, does not have my vote.
- Posted by Betty AndersonBarack Hussien Obama by forgetting GREEN is very important on St. Patrick’s Day tells us that he is only interested in our votes and nothing else.He is a suave talker and can sell a fridge to the Eskimos. I have found him to be untruthful in many areas and a lot of rehortics. Take his name for example.Why does he leave his middle name Hussein out. Is he ashame of his roots.Jesus was born in a manger to Joseph a carpenter. The media should do a full research of his background and early childhood. This is important as we are talking of electing the most powerful man in the world to lead us.What experiences can he show us except to say that he voted against the war in Irag and has been telling the world about it, but this is only one sunny day in a summer.Ask Hillary what she has done for the people during her life as a senator.
- Posted by Kenneth Patrick ChiuObama talk about race and equality, ask him whether the African-Americans in the various states have voted him because he is good or because he is black.
G.Ferraro and S.King said it all.He is full of words but no substance.We must vote with our heads and not our hearts,otherwise we may end up crying with our hearts for the lives we may lost because a rookie is learning his job in the Whitehouse like Bush.KPChiu.
Funny how the same lies and distortions are repeated over and over on these posts. Clinton’s campaign has people on it or you people who post negativity based on racism and narrow mindedness, are part of the problem our country is facing. What a bunch of mean folks we have posting! If you are the average person reading this stuff my advice is to listen to Barack’s speeches in full and not the edited sound bites of those who are trying so hard to spin this man’s heartwarming truths into prejudice and fear. I’m on the side of hope and love, and pity you who fear and hate. The war on terror? Take a good look in the mirror folks.
- Posted by Bob SchmidtWho cares? All the candidates are terrible! To everyone who has a complaint that he wasn’t wearing green please never talk again. You know you just use Saint Patrick’s Day as an excuse to get smashed during the week.
- Posted by Chrisif obama wins, he will be the first irish african american to hold that office. oh, and by the way, who really cares about his background. he has inspired me to be the first Irish Native American president. OBAMA ‘08
- Posted by jasonAt least he didn’t wear the garish, in-your-face green that Clinton wore…..GEEEZZZZ!!
- Posted by arnie sutterFace the facts, would you think that remembering Saint Patrick’s Day will help the concerns of the American people disappear if one actually wore green on that day? Or would it be just as beneficial if those greenbacks were worn by all Americans in their pockets as a result of tax cutbacks to make it possible. I would think that in the midst of this entire democratic election people are confusing and placing their priorities inappropriately and finding the end results are seriously off track.
- Posted by Nisey01Obama definitely has my VOTE. Hopefully by next Saint Patrick’s Day, he will ensure that we all will wear green, should the tax cuts work to our advangtage.
- Posted by Nisey01I think Sen. Obama’s mind was preoccupied with the fact that March 17th was also the anniversary of our attack on Iraq. And that should be our priority. 4000 dead US soldiers will not celebrate St.Patrick’s day anymore.
- Posted by Justyna Ball