Dan Herrman:
I can tell you from talking with people who actualy played with Clinton at Ballybunion that he is genuinely liked very much. Yes, it is largely a matter of local politics, i.e., Clinton's support of the Northern Ireland peace process. Beyond the Northern Ireland issue, the Irish share the European sensibility about the Monica Lewinsky matter. They truly see it as simply about an extra marital affair and can't understand why Americans got so fired up about it.
According to my friends, Clinton really enjoys Ballybunion, both the course and the people. A while back, Brad Klein suggested Clinton's visits to Ballybunion were just a photo op thing. That's not the way my friends described it. His last visit was kept very hush-hush.
As for the statue, it is right there in the middle of town in front of the police station, but last I heard it still wasn't paid for.
I can assure you my very Republican mother will not be writing any checks to make up for it.......