AS HILLARY CLINTON celebrates the birth of her grandchild and edges closer to deciding on a US presidential bid, an Irish-American governor could be getting ready to rain on her parade.

As Hillary Clinton’s long-awaited book is finally about to be released, Bette Browne reveals why Chelsea is emerging as the power behind the throne.

JOE Biden was a no-show last year, so US president Barack Obama’s confirmation last week that his vice-president plans to visit Ireland may not have set the political world on fire.

Ireland will be without a US ambassador for a second St Patrick’s Day in a row, despite earlier expectations that the position would be announced during Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s visit there later this week.

As Bill Clinton leaves town, former Reuters Washington correspondent Bette Browne examines the odds of another Clinton making it to the White House.