US Democrat has local connections
29 July, 2016
Evening Echo Article Tuesday July 26th
THE most likely candidate to become Vice-President of the United States has extensive Cork connections and is often spotted holidaying in Courtmacsherry.
Democratic Vice Presidential candidate, Tim Kaine, former Governor of Virginia, who was picked by Hillary Clinton to join her ticket, has been a frequent visitor to west Cork, as well as University College Cork over the past decade.
Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin, told the Evening Echo that it would be the “dream ticket for Ireland” if the Clinton-Kaine duo won the vote for the White House in November. Mr Kaine will be formally ratified at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia this week.
Family friend, Pádraig Fleming, from Courtmacsherry, was travelling to Philadelphia to see Mr Kaine officially confirmed as Clinton’s running mate, saying there wouldn’t be a prouder Corkman in the world on the night.
The vice presidential candidate has been a frequent visitor to Courtmacsherry in recent years, the West Cork haven that he calls his “adopted Irish village”.
Pádraig and Mary Fleming met Mr Kaine’s parents, Al and Kathleen, some 25 years ago and the families have been firm friends ever since. The Flemings are among the most highly regarded families in West Cork tourism with Anchor Bay Cottages known far and wide for its hospitality. As well as Al and Kathleen, it has meant frequent visits to Cork for the Tim Kaine and his wife Anne Holton since they first visited Ireland in 2006.
Mr Fleming said: “There won’t be a prouder Irishman in the US this week than myself. He is a wonderful man who loves coming to Cork. Al and Kathleen have been frequent visitors to Courtmacsherry and have become very dear friends, as have Tim and Anne. Courtmacsherry is Tim’s adopted Irish village.”
Mr Kaine, a 58-year-old Senator, wowed the American electorate at the weekend during his first live address when Ms Clinton unveiled him as her running mate in the November General Election where they will face off against Republican candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Mike Pence of Indiana.
Mr Kaine also has strong links with University College Cork through his prominent standing in legal circles. He has a strong affinity for UCC’s cultural offerings, viewing the Book of Lismore on display in the Lewis Glucksman Gallery in 2011 on one of his visits.
He has described himself as “about as stone Irish as you get”, with all four of his grandparents were born to Irish immigrants. He said in March: “Until I was 48 years old, Ireland played a huge and important role in my life but sort-of in the dreams of my life…I had never been to Ireland. So it was photos, it was genealogy and it was family stories and it was Roman Catholicism and it was music and it was St Patrick’s Day.” His first visit in 2006 was a life-changing experience, he said. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin met Mr Kaine in Courtmacsherry while he was Minister for Foreign Affairs.
He told the Evening Echo: “He is a very likeable man. I met him on one of his visits and we built up a good relationship at Foreign Affairs. He has genuine affection for Ireland and in many ways it is the dream ticket for Ireland. It would be the strongest Irish White House in a long time, given his Irish connections and the Clinton role in the Peace Process.”