Just over 16 percent of Pennsylvania's population claimed Irish ancestry in the 2000 Census, but you'd think the number was much higher on St. Patrick's Day. City of Pittsburgh police estimated the crowds to be even higher than normal this year, after it was announced that presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Clinton would attend the event this morning. Organizers have said Pittsburgh's parade is the country's second-largest St. Patrick's Day Parade, behind New York's.
Sen. Clinton marched about two miles on the parade route through downtown Pittsburgh accompaned by Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, each of whom has endorsed her as their choice for Democratic Presidential candidate. Scores of Clinton supporters carrying green and white "Clinton Country" signs were seen everywhere, but Obama supporters, including former Pittsburgh Steeler Franco Harris, were also attempting to sway attendees. At the end of the parade Sen. Clinton made an unscheduled stop at the reviewing stand saying, "Thank you, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. This is a great parade. May the luck of the Irish be with us all. God bless you," before heading to another St. Patrick's Day parade in Scranton, where her father was raised.
The campaigning at the Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day parade is likely just the beginning of what looks to be a long month of candidate appearances and advertising, leading up to the important Pennsylvania Primary on April 22.
Comments
The number is higher if it would have been taken into consideration that Allegheny County’s percent of population claiming Irish ancestry is between 18 and 31.4% per the United States 2000 Census distribution map which can be found on this site:http://www.valpo.edu/geomet/geo/courses/geo200/usa_maps.html
PA is a big state, this is Pittsburgh’s Saint Patrick’s Day parade not Pennsylvania’s. There is going to be a difference in the ethnic make-up of Allegheny County with Pittsburgh in it with more Irish, Italians, etc, then when one would compare it with the rest of the state that has alot of rural counties. I’m not saying Sen. Clinton didn’t attract additional people to the parade, but I think the proper statistics relevant to the Pittsburgh area should be used. Pittsburgh has great Irish herritage and the parade with continue to attract huge crowds with or without campaigning.
A very good point about Allegheny County Irish ancestry, but with people coming in for the parade from surrounding counties as well I didn’t want to be that narrow with my statistics.
That being said, I in no way meant to imply that the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day parade doesn’t always attract crowds. Pittsburgh is definitely a bastion of Irish heritage and pride and the parade is a wonderful representative of that. While I thought it was nice to see Sen. Clinton participate in the parade, I actually wish there had been a little less political campaigning on behalf of all of the Presidential candidates (and our local and state political officials that support them) as I felt all of the signs and chanting detracted from the spirit of the parade.
Well done Hilary for being in the Irish parade! As an Irish born citizen I know how much you have done to bring peace to our Island!! By being president it can be only a good thing for Ireland!!