Irish American delighted to see Biden set for White House

When the State of Pennsylania was called on Saturday last week, Joe Biden was pushed up to 284 in terms of College Votes, pushing him past magical 270 required. At that stage President Elect Biden had 74,915,998 and President Trump had 70,780,508. Commentators suggest it is the highest turnout in an election since 1900.

The dawning of a new era in American politics with the victory of president elect Joe Biden has been heralded by a leading Cavan businessman in the States, as “great positive news and a relief”.

A delighted Connie O’Reilly, who owns Crover House Hotel near Mountnugent, told the Celt: “We now have a person going into the White House, who is just a good and decent person, that is respected on both sides of the aisle – by both Democrats and Republicans.”

Describing the public mood in the US after it became clear President Donald Trump was set to be ousted from the White House, Connie said: “There was joy on the streets of New York when the announcement was made on Saturday – the people are genuinely excited. People were happy that this bad period in American history is behind us and that this person is gone.”

When the State of Pennsylania was called on Saturday last week, Joe Biden was pushed up to 284 in terms of College Votes, pushing him past magical 270 required. At that stage President Elect Biden had 74,915,998 and President Trump had 70,780,508. Commentators suggest it is the highest turnout in an election since 1900.

But results are still outstanding in four US states - Alaska, Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina. Republican incumbent President Trump has only 214, even if he wins all four remaining states, he cannot reach 270.

Relief

Connie is thrilled with the outcome. “We live in a conservative area in New York and when the announcement was made on Saturday, the amount of horn blowing was unbelievable – people were ecstatic and are very happy,” he said.

“This is the last time we will see fencing around the White House – when Trump leaves, all that fencing will come down,” said the respected businessman.

Connie told the Celt that Joe Biden is highly respected in the US and a very able negotiator. “I have meet him a couple of times and he is very proud of his Irish roots. His wife Jill will be on a par with Laura Bush, Jackie Kennedy and Nancy Reagan – a lady,” he added.

“I think it is great for Ireland. I think we will have a good relationship. Hopefully the COVID-19 virus will be gone by St Patrick’s day and there will be a different atmosphere in the White House.”

Connie also believes Mr Biden chose his vice president well.

“I think the fact that he has chosen Kamala Harris as his running mate - the first female and a person of colour - generates tremendous good will through the country – that any young black girl growing up in America can be what Kamala Harris is today,” he surmised.

Connie begrudgingly concedes President Trump had some success in his tenure.

“Some of the plans Trump implemented were not bad as regards the economy and Wall Street. His lack of leadership, empathy and ability to deliver a message was evident,” he said.

“He lost all credibility with Irish America when he made a comment a couple of years ago to the affect that he loves the British Isles, because his golf courses are over there – he wrapped us up in the British Isles – that was the end of him with Irish America,” added Connie.

When asked why he felt 70 million people still voted for President Trump, Connie said the Democratic Party had been demonised and so “people voted out of fear of the Democrats going too far to the left”.

In relation to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, Connie noted: “Now that we have an Irish American in the White House, there will be no push back from the English on this and they have been told that the Good Friday Agreement must be adhered to.”

Undocumented Irish

Connie said the goal now will be to get the status of undocumented Irish in America regularised. “If you have been here for a while, and have paid your taxes and have not committed any crimes, then those people should be given a chance. American is a nation of emigrants and I am an emigrant.”