by Mark Silva
Big campaign supporters tend to get big appointments, and what bigger honor for Dan Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and a high-profile 2008 Obama campaign supporter, than the U.S. embassy in Ireland?
The president chose St. Patrick's Day, a day on which he is receiving the Irish leader at the White House and receiving a bowl of shamrocks, to announced his nomination of Rooney as ambassador to Ireland.
"I am honored and grateful that such a dedicated and accomplished individual has agreed to serve as the representative of the United States to the Irish people,'' Obama said in a prepared statement today. "Dan Rooney is an unwavering supporter of Irish peace, culture, and education, and I have every confidence that he and Secretary Clinton will ensure America's continued close and unique partnership with Ireland in the years ahead."
Rooney is a recipient of the American Ireland Fund's Lifetime Achievement Award and honorary Commander of the British Empire for contributions to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
He has played an integral role in the Irish peace process since the early 1970s. In 1976, Rooney co-founded the American Ireland Fund, an organization which has raised over $300 million for peace and education programs in Ireland.
He also happens to be chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, winners of Super Bowl XLIII. He was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
And in 2008, Rooney was an outspoken supporter of Obama in one of the toughest regions of Pennsylvania for a Democrat who had run far behind Clinton in the Democratic primaries there. Obama's Pennsylvania victory, along with his win in Florida and Ohio, formed the foundation of an electoral landslide that seated the former Illinois senator in the White House.
Obama also backed the Steelers in the Super Bowl.
It was 27-23. Steelers over Arizona Cardinals.
Like the election, Obama over McCain (R-Ariz.).
Comments
Pure cronyism-
How does Football compare with Soccer?
Posted by: Inky | March 17, 2009 11:33 AM
More proof of the sad sellout of Dan Rooney. p.s. Rooney's nephew, Tom, is a republican congressman from Florida. Dan Rooney has turned his back on his party and his state for this ambassadorship.
Posted by: Jeff | March 17, 2009 4:35 PM
Posted by: Jeff | March 17, 2009 4:35 PM
Another shining example of the Republican mindset. Jeff puts party above service to country. Jeff is a Republican, not an American. Rooney, a man dedicated to promoting peace in a troubled part of the world is going to serve his nation and work further for that peace, and Jeff attacks him. All because Jeff is simply incacapble of getting past his own partisan hatred. His hatred is so deep, so all encompassing, that he attacks public service simply because the President is a democrat. His partisanship has overwhelmed his partriotism. It really is sad how angry, hatefilled and bitter Republicans like Jeff, and Rush and all their ilk have become. Maybe someday they'll come to love this country again. Maybe someday they get past their hate and will be willing to work to make this country a better place, rather than blindly attacking anyone else who does take up that noble cause. Maybe someday they will be patriots, something they simply aren't now.
Posted by: Kendle | March 17, 2009 6:03 PM