Ethnic group politics in the U.S. have become more important with each progressive election, Hispanics and Asian groups become larger and their votes that much more appealing to win. The political success of many ethnic groups and their rise to prominence can be attributed to an early immigrating group that set the tone for future politically conscious groups. That group was the Irish, who are rightfully used as a historical model for ethnic group politics in the U.S. their experience as a marginalized group that formed one of the first highly successful political machines in this country's history set the tone for future ethnic groups. These groups due to similar belittling circumstances and hopes for their future would rise up to meet the challenge and position themselves as a powerful force in U.S. politics. The Irish paved the way for any and all future immigrating ethnic groups and even existing ones looking to become an inextinguishable presence in the political landscape of the U.S. Most ethnic groups struggled early in their settlement here in the U.S. due to poor treatment and even outright racist laws that would prevent new immigrants from even having a voice. It's an odd notion to wrestle with, a country formed by immigrants having one of the worst track records of racial, ethnics and religious discrimination. Michael Barone has a more realistic view in, "Race, Ethnicity and Politics in American History , wherein he states that despite the wishful view that ethnicity should not play a role in politics the reality is that they have always and will always be a determining factor. But that role can take many shapes; sometimes a substantial influx of recent immigrants can align themselves with a particular political party immediately securing themselves a strong position and voice. Barone lays out examples dating as far back as colonial times, one of these inrushes were the Irish Catholics who migrated here after the potato famine in 1846. This influx of Irish immigrants was met