Hi OnPolitics readers. Political news watchers know that President Joe Biden frequently calls on his Irish American heritage. It’s a central part of his political identity.
USA TODAY White House reporter Joey Garrison traces back the president’s Irish familial history in a story in advance of Biden’s Ireland trip this week.
☘️ Biden’s Irish roots: From famine-ravaged Ireland to Scranton, Pa.
The story also explores the politics behind Biden’s working-class pitch and what it means for 2024:
… The trip is also a way for Biden to connect with voters at home, allowing him to reintroduce his Irish American roots – and lean into his economic message of “dignity” – as he works to win back working-class voters who have fled the Democratic Party.
📰 Keep reading: How Biden uses his Irish American heritage to appeal to working class voters
What’s next: Pres. Biden travels to Ireland tomorrow. His four-day trip will include a visit to where his ancestors once lived.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Biden Irish? Here’s his family history before his Ireland trip.
