Mark Curtis Media

(Providence, Rhode Island) – Congress is now on a two-week spring break, and it’s also Holy Week. So, is the world of politics coming to a halt? Hardly. Here’s a quick peek at what’s going on.

“On the Road Again” – President Obama’s trip to the Mideast was big news. An open microphone caught him joking about getting away from Congress, and there is a ring of truth in that remark. Since only the Senate gets to approve treaties, a traveling President is only wearing one Congressional handcuff. He has a freer hand to operate and negotiate overseas. Plus, Air Force One isn’t a bad taxi to have at your disposal. Presidents tend to travel a lot during their second terms, so expect to see more trips.

“Holy Week” – There are many who think religion and politics don’t mix - or shouldn’t mix. But they do. As I predicted, the Roman Catholic Church selected its first Pope from South America (although I predicted the Cardinal from Brazil). In any event, forty percent of the world's Catholics now live in Central and South America. The Church is going where its growth is. In the political world, many observers think the Republican Party needs a similar strategy. Many Hispanics are conservative anyway, and they also represent the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States. While the Hispanic vote went strongly for Obama in 2008 and 2012, Republicans have done extremely well with Latino voters in Florida, Texas and Arizona in certain elections. I predict the GOP will cultivate a “Papal” strategy in the next two election cycles.

“A Photo Finish” – Speaking of the Papacy, when was the last time two Popes met? The photo of new Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has people scrambling for their history books (photo above). The last time two Popes met was over 600 years ago, and there were no cameras then!

“First Steps” – While we are on the subject of political strategies aimed at Hispanic voters, watch the week of April 8 closely, as that is when Congress reconvenes. A bipartisan group of Senators is likely to roll out an immigration reform bill that is politically targeted to segments of both the Democratic and Republican parties. While the bill will have pragmatic elements that have to deal with the illegal immigration problem, it will also offer some highly partisan elements for both sides. It probably will get through the Senate, but the House will be a struggle. It also could be the President’s last and only major domestic accomplishment before the 2014 midterm election.

“Why Wait for 2014?” – Before we get to those critical midterm elections, there will be a huge Senate race to decide. The seat left open in Massachusetts, when John Kerry became Secretary of State, is now taking center stage. All five candidates (2 Democrats and 3 Republicans) were crisscrossing the state this weekend. The primary is April 30; and with lots of money pouring in, we will start getting the TV ad blitz and the robo-calls soon!

“Gay Marriage on Center Stage” – The U.S. Supreme Court will hear two major cases this week dealing with the issue of same-sex marriage. The decisions – which will likely come in June – could have a huge impact on whether or not same-gender marriages are allowed nationwide, or at least in some specific states. In Rhode Island this week, over 600 people showed up at a State Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that is considering two gay marriage bills. And Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) – a potential 2016 Republican Presidential or Vice Presidential contender – has announced his support for same-sex marriage. (He has a gay son.) So, this issue is now reaching its peak in the political process. The big question is: Will the U.S. Supreme Court decisions be sweeping and apply to all states; or will they rule in a very narrow sense, affecting only the states in question. Stay tuned!

“Politicians – Like Cats – Have Nine Lives” – The names of Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, Dick Morris and Elliot Spitzer all have one thing in common. They are all politicians or political operatives who were pronounced dead by the pundits after political scandal or defeat. All rose to life again. So, add to the list former Florida Republican Governor Charlie Christ, now a Democrat. The failed independent Senate candidate is thinking of running for Governor again, and in some polls he now leads Florida’s current Republican Governor, Rick Scott. Yes, like cats, some politicos seem to have nine lives.

As always, I like to hear your observations. Just click on the comment button at www.MarkCurtisMedia.com.

(Providence, Rhode Island) – Top o’ the mornin’ to all of my readers. As many of you know, I am mostly Irish. My full name is Mark Corrigan Curtis; and, yes, I am told I am distant cousin of famed pilot Douglas “Wrong-way” Corrigan. I even have a son, Patrick Corrigan. So this is a fun day for my family. No serious political stuff today, just a look at some famous Irish politicians.

“Everybody’s Wearing Green!” – Of the 43 U.S. Presidents, 22 claim some significant percentage of Irish ancestry. Most are a mix of nationalities, but President John F. Kennedy is the only one listed as 100% Irish (He was the only Irish Catholic President, too). Even President Obama has some Irish lineage on his mother’s side. I think just for one day he should change the spelling of his name to "Barack O’Bama"!

“Friends After 6 p.m.” – Two of my favorite Irish American politicians were House Speaker Tip O’Neill and President Ronald Reagan. The two were often bitter political foes. O’Neill once said of Reagan that he was "the most ignorant man who had ever occupied the White House.” Reagan once compared O’Neill to the video game character Pac-Man, saying the House Speaker was "a round thing that gobbles up money." Ouch! Maybe.... Actually, the two wrote fondly of each other in their memoires, reflecting on nights at the White House, playing cards, sipping whiskey and smoking cigars, all the while being “friends after 6 p.m.” The two had a record of compromise on key issues and actually got a lot done.

“The Dynasties” – Some of America’s biggest political dynasties are Irish – in whole or in part. A redheaded 32-year-old named Joseph Kennedy III was just elected to Congress, extending that family’s place in American politics into a fourth consecutive generation. Three generations of the Bush family have held elective office in the U.S. The Bushes are part Irish. Then there is the Daley family of Chicago. Richard J. Daley and his son Richard M. served a combined total of 43 years in the Mayor’s office. Richard M. Daley’s bother William was also U.S. Secretary of Commerce and White House Chief of Staff, and is thinking about running for Governor of Illinois next year.

“Same Family?” – As we all know, some families produce the famous and the infamous, all in the same generation. For 35 years Billy Bulger served in the Massachusetts Legislature, the last 18 as President of the State Senate. He then went on to be President of the University of Massachusetts for seven years. Billy’s career ended when he admitted having spoken to his infamous younger bother, James “Whitey” Bulger, a legendary Boston mobster. “Whitey,” who was "America’s Most Wanted" fugitive, was eventually captured and will be tried on 19 counts of murder later this year.

“Luck o’ the Irish!” – Even today, the American political landscape is dotted with those of Irish ancestry. Vice President Joe Biden is mostly of Irish heritage. House Speaker John Boehner has Irish ancestry; and U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy is Irish. Congressman Paul Ryan, who was the Republican Vice Presidential nominee last year and who remains chairman of the House Budget Committee, is very Irish.

“Irish Coffee” – Of course, if politics is not your “cup of tea,” then switch to coffee – Irish coffee. It’s been a favorite beverage of many an Irish politician, especially those who hang out at the Buena Vista Café in San Francisco, where the drink was pioneered. The restaurant recently released the secret recipe: Fill a cup 3/4 full with coffee; stir in two sugar cubes; add 1 and ½ ounces of Irish Whiskey; then spoon about ¼ cup of slightly whipped cream gently on the top so it floats (photo above). This is a great drink if you love Irish politicians, or if you absolutely hate politics with a passion. (In the latter case, the beverage is used as an antidote.)

Just a reminder: These are the final days to help out on the movie project, “Amazing Ops: Siege at Benghazi,” so check out this link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/historivision/amazing-ops-siege-at-b...

I hope you have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday! As always, if you have questions, comments or disagreements, click the comment button at www.MarkCurtisMedia.com.