Temple Bar-ack
Craig McMahon from New York pictured with local Kevin Lavin at The Button Factory party.
Wednesday November 05 2008
If you were walking through Temple Bar last night, you would have been forgiven for thinking that everything was as usual, and that a rock band was playing in the Button Factory. Posters declared the event was sold out and the crowds waited impatiently. There were even a couple of ticket touts.
But this was an event to mark the coverage of the count of this historic US presidential election. Inside, there was no bunting or banners, no American flags or balloons; this was an altogether more civilised, but still passionate affair, hosted by David McWilliams and the Leviathan Political Cabaret. Relatively civilised it might have been, it was still a must-see event. The 300-strong crowd had all bought their €25 tickets well in advance.
The stage was set with big screens and subtle red and blue lighting. And, after an introduction by McWilliams, the night started off with a not-so-subtle film reminder of George Bush's eight-year reign. The film was made by Paddy Cullivan who, along with Ryan Tubridy, was reporting through the night with live updates on the count.
Irish, Americans and American-Irish crowded the Button Factory, a couple in green O'Bama T-shirts, alluding to his reported Irish roots. Others wore their allegiances more subtly, with pins supporting Obama/Biden. But, whether Irish or American, there were few who were declaring any support for McCain and Palin.
Craig McMahon, a New York native who has been living in Ireland for the last six months, cast his postal vote for Obama in the early voting. He said: "As soon as the result of the primaries came in, I put in my request for my postal ballot."
Persuaded
Craig Powell was also rooting for Obama. Craig, who is from Washington, has been living in Ireland for the last eight years, but made sure to get his postal vote in early, too. "My family are more Republican, but I think they've been persuaded now," he said. I hope it will be a victory for Obama, though I suspect it could be close."
But the Irish, too, were getting in on the action. Ronan Byrne (29) from Dublin, sporting an Obama T-shirt, said: "It's going to be a fun night because the right guy is going to win. People are saying when it comes down to it, a lot of Americans won't vote for a black man but they are a lot more mature than that. If Obama doesn't win, America will not just go back four years, but 34 years."
- Emma Blain
