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BALLINA, Ireland (AP) — Quoting Irish poetry and to the cheers of thousands, President Joe Biden on Friday declared Ireland was not part of his family history. But a part of his soul as he concluded his trip gave him such a adoration that he escaped returning to the United States.
About 27,000 people gathered at the foot of St. Muredak’s Cathedral, which was partially constructed of bricks made by Biden’s great-great-grandfather. Biden drew crowds more than twice the size of the town’s population. Driving from hours away, in the rain and cold, he waited almost all day for a chance to see Mr. Biden, with some calling for the “Joe Show” to begin.
“Over the years, the story of this place has become part of my soul,” Biden told a large audience, adding that “we Irish” and “part of my family lore.” talked about and associated myself with the audience.
No wonder he said many times during his trip that he didn’t want to go.
Go home, Biden’s approval ratings Close to the bottom of his presidency. And even fellow Democrats suggest he shouldn’t run for re-election. The friendly crowd applauds his speech. .
Here, he was greeted by fans at every turn. The streets of Ballina were filled with people carrying Irish and American flags, lined for blocks along narrow streets. Musicians and dancers entertained the large crowd for hours while Biden toured a Catholic shrine earlier in the day and was briefed on his ancestry at the Heritage Center. Upon arrival, cheers rose from the crowd.
“Being here makes me feel like I’m coming home,” Biden said. “It really is.”
Biden hasn’t officially started the 2024 presidential campaign, but his speech Friday night had the feel of a campaign rally. Dozens of people stood on risers with flags behind him as spotlights swept the night sky and giant video screens shot his image above the river as the crowd watched. U2’s “Beautiful Day” played, and the president ended his 20-minute speech.
Howard Tracy, 52, who waited almost all day with his 13-year-old son Adam, said, “This is a great opportunity for all of us to have the President of the United States here in Ballina.
This is the dynamic experienced by most of Biden’s predecessors. The overseas world tends to love American presidents. Not always, but I go home. Not really.
US Presidents’ trips abroad often provide context and content that is difficult to recreate at home. Biden’s trip to Ireland was one filled with nostalgia, fellowship, religion and poetry.
Biden mentioned many poets on his travels, but one that was especially important to him on Friday was his great-grandfather Edward Francis, who grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania after Brewitt arrived in the United States. A poem by Brewitt.
“From the most beautiful land, except my land,” read Biden. “Under the sun, stars and moon, Citadel of Liberty, my mother’s land, Aroon.”
Ballina resident Orla Heffernan, who was unable to enter Biden’s speech venue, watched the video screen from the overflow area of the street, but exclaimed about the president’s visit: Proud to be from Ballina. So proud of Joe Biden, so proud of Brewitt. ”
Earlier in his four-day visit, Biden met with leaders marking the 25th anniversary of Good Friday in Northern Ireland. An agreement that ended sectarian violence.In Ireland he addressed the Irish Parliament, watched Gaelic sports with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and met the widow of his favorite poet, Seamus Heaney. He also happened to meet the priest who performed the last rites on his deceased son Beau. And he received many gifts, including signed poetry books and bricks from his ancestral home.
“He can feel love in ways that are difficult at home,” said presidential historian Douglas Brinkley. There is something that excites.”
“With the exception of the Pope, American presidents are usually the most coveted global figures,” Brinkley said.
Indeed, during Biden’s visit to WarsawPoland, February On the eve of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, thousands gathered at the base of the Royal Palace to hear the president’s speech..
With a castle behind him lit up in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, Biden declared to an enthusiastic audience that “the world’s democracies will defend freedom today, tomorrow and forever.” As he exited the stage, he paused again to accept the scene, and a man in the audience yelled: “You are our hero!”
When Biden spoke to the Canadian parliament There were 34 applause in March. In an English- and French-speaking country, Biden received thunderous applause just for starting his speech with “Bonjour, Canada.”
But even in Ireland, the praise wasn’t universal.A small left-wing party, People Before Profit, boycotted Biden’s speech in parliament because it opposes US foreign policy in the Middle East and elsewhere. said to do.
People Before Profit MP Paul Murphy said the president’s visit would be “as an interesting Irish-American celebrity visit, as opposed to a visit of the most powerful man in the world, who needs to ask tough questions about the kind of policy.” It is being handled,” he said. what he pursues. ”
Biden isn’t the only U.S. president to find a reputation abroad that seems elusive at home.
Bill Clinton has found refuge abroad after escaping an impending search at home. According to the Pew Research Center, in his last year in office, George W. Bush was as well-liked at home as Richard Nixon, just before he resigned in a scandal, but he remained popular in Africa and sought out by foreigners. and fought the war. AIDS epidemic.
However, Ireland’s response to Biden was overwhelmingly positive for “Cousin Joe”, as many called him. Paused. This may have been the last Irish landmark that his maternal great-grandfather Owen Finnegan saw before his 1849 sailing for New York. At sea, thousands of people cheered him on from the streets below, mixed with the sound of bagpipes drifting from the green hills.
“I don’t know why my ancestors left here,” Biden said. “
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Associated Press writers Amar Madani and Chris Megelian, Josh Boack and Zeke Miller of Washington, and Jill Lawless of London contributed to this report.
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