Obama’s Irish cousins in Ohio
Barack Obama’s Irish ancestry is well chronicled but the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that some of his distant cousins in southern Ohio were surprised to discover their connection to the Democratic candidate.
Roger Kearney, 72, a retired technology director, discovered the relationship when he read that Obama is a descendant of an Irish immigrant named Fulmoth Kearney. Some of Obama’s ancestors are buried about 30 minutes south of Columbus and the Democrat has newfound relatives in one of the most electorally desirable corners of the US.
Ohio is a key battleground state and the southern part of it, where the Kearneys and their cousins live, has been especially resistant to Obama’s appeal. Still, as the Plain Dealer reports, not all of Obama’s cousins are bragging about their relationship.
From Dayton to Chillicothe, they’re learning that it can cause an uproar when you toss “Barack Obama’s my cousin” into a conversation.
“I hope you’re not telling anybody,” a friend responded after Roger Kearney told her.
“My answer to her was, ‘Of course I’m telling everybody. I’m proud of it,’ ” responded Kearney, of Miami County, the family’s self-appointed historian, who informed his kin months ago that Obama is related by blood.
More than a few times, the revelation has prompted veiled or outright racist remarks from friends and acquaintances, forcing good-natured Kearney to find a comeback and risk rippling the once-placid social waters.
Meanwhile, Obama’s Irish-American supporters are sharing this song about his Irish roots, written by Hardy Drew and the Nancy boys from Limerick (Ger ,Brian and Donncha Corrigan) and performed by Shay Black, an Irish musician based in California’s Bay Area. Not sure if the revolutionary socialist quotation in the background is entirely on message…
