en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en
WASHINGTON – Former Vice President Joe Biden's assertion that he is the only "real Irishman" running for president has led a fellow candidate to suggest they settle the matter over a pint of Guinness.
Biden, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, made the remark during a campaign stop in South Carolina on Friday, according to Demetri Sevastopulo, the Washington bureau chief at the Financial Times. As Biden prepared to leave in an SUV, Sevastopulo asked, "Can an Irishman get a question?" in a video shared on Twitter.
Sevastopulo said he brought up that he is an Irish national because Biden "is always talking about being Irish."
The tactic worked, and Biden paused to field the question from Sevastopulo, who asked how he had changed as a candidate over the years.
"I'm still the same guy," Biden said.
The 2020 candidates:Who is running for president? An interactive guide
Sevastopulo said he had stopped recording when Biden rolled down the window moments later and joked, "The Irish guy? There's only one real Irishman running for president and it's me."
"I'm sure there's a civil way to figure this all out," former Maryland Rep. John Delaney – who has said his father was "very proud of his Irish descent" – tweeted Tuesday in response to Biden's boast.
He suggested they discuss it "over a pint of Guinness."
Delaney and Biden are not the only people in the race who are of Irish descent.
Irish Central reports that former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke "has undeniable Irish roots."
"His great-great-grandfather Bernard O'Rourke was born in Glencar, North Leitrim on November 30, 1830, and he died in a buggy accident on August 28, 1896, in Talmadge, Otoe County Nebraska. He is buried in Saint Benedict's Cemetery there," according to the site.
Among the other candidates with Irish background are Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, whose mother was an Irish immigrant, Irish Central reported.
Careers Staff Directory Accessibility Site Map Legals Our Ethical Principles Terms of Service Privacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy PolicyDo Not Sell My Info / Cookie Policy
Contact Us Support Local Business Advertise Your Business Advertising Terms and Conditions Licensing & Reprints Help Center Subscriber Guide My Account Give Feedback