Daniel Rooney: Ambassador To Ireland

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Tuesday selected Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney to be U.S. ambassador to Ireland, turning to a lifelong Republican who provided the Democrat critical campaign support during the White House race.

The 76-year-old Rooney endorsed Obama over Hillary Rodham Clinton during Pennsylvania's contentious Democratic primary; Clinton won the contest last April. Rooney later campaigned for him in Steelers country in western Pennsylvania, and Obama went on to win the state last November.

The grandson of an Irish immigrant, Rooney in the 1970s helped found the American Ireland Fund, an organization that has raised millions for advocacy of peace and education in Ireland. His legacy is reflected in a Steelers-themed bar in a disused linen mill in one of the roughest parts of northwest Belfast.

In announcing the nomination on St. Patrick's Day, Obama called Rooney "an unwavering supporter of Irish peace, culture and education."

Obama said in a statement that he has confidence that Rooney and Secretary of State Clinton "will ensure America's continued close and unique partnership with Ireland in the years ahead."

Rooney's father, Arthur J. Rooney, founded the Steelers in 1933. The son took over the presidency of the team in 1975 and is a Hall of Fame owner. His Steelers won the Super Bowl this year, shocking the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 on Santonio Holmes' tiptoe catch for a touchdown with 35 seconds to play.

The "Rooney Rule," which requires any team with a head coaching vacancy to interview at least one minority candidate, was developed by an NFL committee Rooney chaired. Rooney has also participated in labor negotiations between the league and players.

Dan Rooney's son, Art Rooney II, who took over as team president in 2003, said he was happy for his father. In a statement, Art Rooney said the Steeler operation will continue as it has in the past with the goal of winning another Super Bowl.

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Associated Press writer Shawn Pogatchnik contributed to this report from Dublin, Ireland.

Comments

[andyg]

Brought and sold, just the change people like.

[RobinSeattle]

I agree with Rog49Thomas on this.

While I have no complaint about Dan Rooney being named to that post under our current political practice, in this age of fighting terrorism, global warming and nuclear proliferation, it is rather farcical to allow amateurs to represent us overseas. I have long called for putting ambassadorships under control of the Foreign Service.

Bush's last Ambassador to Spain, George Argyros, has a company that was convicted of cheating renters n Garden Grove, CA. The irony there is that the victims of that scam were largely Vietnamese. The GOP enjoys widespread, though slowly eroding, support in the Vietnamese community.

He is also a Medicare cheat. http://www.accountableamerica.com/people/argyros

And Tom Foley for Ambassador to Japan? That was a joke. What was Clinton thinking?

Let's start putting foreign relations in the hands of the pros, not campaign contributors and cronies.

[Rog49Thomas]

Thanks.

Of course, some folks may think that some countries are so backward and so unimportant that we could have a cardboard cut out as Ambassador and the local rubes wouldn't notice or if they did it wouldn't matter.

For some reason, I'm not prepared to relegate Ireland to that group.

[wereeverywhere]

Clearly Obama has no sense of Irish tradition nor a sense of humor. If he's going to name a football owner as ambassador, shouldn't he name the owner of St. Louis(2-14) franchise or even better the owner of the Detroit Lions(0-16)?

On a slightly more serious note, happy St. Patrick's day to all the underdogs out there, especially those who are struggling against imperialism. It took us centuries, but we kicked the British out of most of Eire. If we can do it, so can you.
signed- an American of Irish descent

[mmsaretasty]

American of Irish descent-

I suppose you were just tickled pink by the IRA thugs who recently murdered two British soldiers and a policeman in Northern Ireland in their noble stuggle against imperialism?

It must be so easy to wish these people well from the safety and comfort of the United States... let me guess... Boston?

You do not get to say "we" in relation to the struggle in Ireland because you have red hair, an Irish last name, and Great Grandpa Bobby O'Toole who came to the United States during the Irish potato famine.

[wereeverywhere]

Let's start with a little education. The CIRA (Continuity IRA) came about because it opposed Sein Fein's decisions coming out of the 1980's peace talks. CIRA is yet another problem for Sein Fein and another problem for the Irish people. Haven't the British soldiers and police have always shown the utmost kindness to the Irish, and the soldiers were going to spread such love to Afghanistan. Terrorism of the CIRA, the Crown, USA, Al Qaeda, et al is disgusting and its time to move forward.

I do enjoy being in safety and comfort and regret that my country works so hard to bring danger and misery to so many. Using the most elementary logic, one can support those who are fighting against USA imperial project without necessarily embracing ALL who do so. Nor does it mean I'm not glad USA was here so that Irish who-had-th­eir-Potato­es-stolen-­by-British­-resulting­-in famine had a place to go, not that the loving British didn't show compassion and generosity to their Irish subjects.

[GREG125]

glen beck has african features

[Robert Sr]

TO; Rog49Thomas

You don't know Dan Rooney. Rooney is a straight shooter from way back. He is a kind, intelligent, careful, thoughtful person . . . . very well suited to the job of ambassador to Ireland . . . . . as well suited as any Foreign Service career guy. He is so concerned with his employees that he attends their training sessions every day . . . . . and they all, to a man, consider Dan Rooney a friend. He is no crony of the President.

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[Rog49Thomas]

Wow, read my post please.

I said he wasn't qualified as a professional diplomat.

He is no doubt salt of the earth and a wonderful guy. And it's great he takes an interest in his employees. All very admirable qualities.

But I would take objection to the comment that he is as "well suited as any Foreign Service career guy".

Are you saying that the qualifications to professionally represent the USA as Ambassador consist of being a nice guy as well as careful and thoughtful are the key qualifies to be Ambassador?

Then why not Joe the Plumber? Or Sister Sarah?

[Rog49Thomas]

The shame of our nation: diplomatic posts awarded to cronies and contributors.

We've got to be pretty much a laughing stock among the civilized nations for this silly behavior.

And no doubt another great day to be one of the professional diplomats in our nation's Foreign Service - passed over again.

[ajm8127]

Dude, the man is a philanthropist in the Irish community. Can't you read? Mr. Rooney is VERY well respected in the western part of PA. Could it be that he actually thought Obama had better policies, and that's why he supported him? Through that experience maybe Obama realized that Rooney is a caring honest man who thinks a peaceful, educated society is better than a war torn, illiterate one? Is that a possible scenario? Or does every time someone get appointed, that mean the appointer and appointee are in some sort of conspiracy?

[Rog49Thomas]

Dude, conspiracy? I think you may be reading another post.

Yes, I can read and is perhaps obvious from this reply I can write as well.

Let's go over the video tape.

In my initial post I said that professional diplomats should represent the US overseas not cronies, political contributors. Quite a crackpot idea it seems from all the counter comments.

I don't doubt he's highly respected in Western PA. And beloved in Pittsburgh. And I appreciate the charitable work that's ascribed to him. Wonderful guy, no doubt.
As to reading his mind, I will leave that to those with that skill. Sadly, I've never mastered that skill. Just as I can't look into a man's eyes and see his soul.

But does that make him qualified to represent us as Ambassador in Ireland?

As I noted above, based on that maybe he should be Chief of Surgery at Children's Hospital or Chief of Police in Pittsburgh.

[lisakaz2]

Oh please. You think this is new. Rooney is a good choice because he has ties to the country and has done charitable work there. Sure, politics are involved but there is also a feel-good aspect you refuse to admit exists.

Congrats to Steeler nation (again).

[Rog49Thomas]

I didn't say it was new. I didn't say others didn't do it.

All I said was that it was wrong.

We have a professional corps of people who make it their career to represent the US as diplomats. They are trained professionals. They are the Foreign Service.

I suppose Rooney would be a good choice for Chief of Police in PIttsburgh. He's done charitable work there. He has a connection to the City. And some would probably feel good about his appointment.

Of course, as you'd expect I find that objectionable. Instead he should be made Chief of Surgery at Children's Hosptial.

[Bitsko]

Meanwhile the party I'm pretty certain you support had the biggest bunch of cronies in the history of American politics!

Keep up the great satire! America is in need of laughs!

[Rog49Thomas]

Actually I voted for and supported the winning ticket last November.

But I didn't check my brain or conscience at the door when I did so.