2007-11-28 05:36:29 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
They seem to produce popular political leaders no matter which party they belong to. Examples are John Kennedy for the Democrats. Ronald Reagan for the Republicans
2007-11-28 05:43:08 · update #1
Because the Irish are a likeable people I guess
2007-11-28 05:38:39 · answer #1 · answered by Tip 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
They came and were looked down upon. At one point when you didnt want to risk the live of a slave you would hire an Irish guy for the dangerous work.
Paddy wagons were first called such because of the drunk Irish people being taken to jail, not being the officers.
The Germans had the same thing happen and they were also a huge political force until WW2 when they lost a lot of power and influence.
When slavery ended, the Irish went from being above blacks to equal to them. This caused the Irish to actually band together, their collective power ended much of the stigma against them.
They were able to run and win for anything because of the sheer number of Irishmen voting.
Since there was never a new stigma against the Irish (as with the Germans in WW2) they retained their power, and when power vacuums happened (again with the Germans leaving office in WW2) they seized the chance for even more power.
2007-11-28 13:51:26 · answer #2 · answered by Showtunes 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tammany Hall. Look it up if you're not familiar with it.
Tammany is forever linked with the rise of the Irish in American politics. Beginning in late 1845, large numbers of Irish Catholics began arriving in New York. Equipped with a knowledge of English, very tight loyalties, a genius for politics, and what critics said was a propensity to use violence to control the polls, the Irish quickly dominated Tammany. In exchange for votes, they were provided with money and food. From 1872 onward, Tammany had an Irish "boss." They played an increasingly important role in state politics, supporting one candidate and feuding with another. The greatest success came in 1928 when a Tammany hero, New York Governor Al Smith, won the Democratic presidential nomination.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammany_Hall#The_Irish
2007-11-28 13:42:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Abraham Lincoln opened the door for Irish America.
When he abolished slavery he opened the door for Irish Labor.
Most people dismiss the fact that the Irish lifestyle is a monastic lifestyle. St Patric took the idea of monasticism back to Rome
In modern times you can clearly see the Irish influence in politics. Every President since Truman except Eisenhower & Nixon was Irish. Nixon was 1/2 Irish.
2007-11-28 13:44:29 · answer #4 · answered by whirling W dervish 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They came in great numbers and eventually had the numbers to win at politics.
2007-11-28 13:41:18 · answer #5 · answered by bravozulu 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Booze.
2007-11-28 14:54:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because they have Lucky the Leprechaun on their side. B'Ghora!
2007-11-28 13:46:10 · answer #7 · answered by Nicki G 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't know if Irish people are that successful. I don't know of that many that have been elected to office. They are generally shunned because they are Catholic. The most successful are W.A.S.P.'s (white-Anglo-sacston(sp?)-protestant).
2007-11-28 13:42:11 · answer #8 · answered by grickle80 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Oh.... Rum Running, murder,extortion....
Ted Kennedy
2007-11-28 13:40:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
Because we are so much smarter than everyone else, of course. We're sexier too.
2007-11-28 13:39:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋