WI: Kennedy Supported the Pro-IRA?

In 1971, Senator Ted Kennedy said the following while at the same time introducing a resolution that would demand that the UK withdraw its military from the conflict in Northern Ireland :
Ulster is becoming Britain's Vietnam... The conscience of America cannot keep silent when men and women of Ireland are dying. Britain has lost its way..."
Source
What if Ted, whether then or sometime later, went on to declare his vocal support for the Provisional IRA.
What effect could this have had on Irish American-diaspora support for the Republican cause during The Troubles, and what effect could this have had, if any, in Northern Ireland.
 
Last edited:
The more pertinent question is what effect it has on NATO. "Yes, we endorse armed attacks against the soldiers of our closest partner in the alliance."

I think you're gonna have everyone in the foreign-policy establishment scrambling to assure the Brits that Kennedy has gone off the deep end and doesn't speak for anyone but his own drunken mick self.
 

hipper

Banned
In 1971, Senator Ted Kennedy said the following while at the same time introducing a resolution that would demand that the UK withdraw its military from conflict in Northern Ireland :

What if Ted, whether then or sometime later, went on to declare his vocal support for the Provisional IRA.
What effect could this have had on America n-diaspora support for the Republican cause during The Troubles and what effect could this have had, if any, in Northern Ireland.

None given that he's not in a position to do much more than ban arms sales to the RUC, you need a president to take the same view to kick things off.
 
Top