Press Releases
Embassy of the United States of America
Bangkok
November 5, 2008
Opening Remarks by US Ambassador Eric G. John
Election Watch 2008
November 5, 2008
Grand Hyatt Erawan
(As prepared for delivery)
Good morning, honored guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Election Watch 2008. Sophia and I are delighted to see so many people gathered here to watch the outcome of this historic election with us. And I am sure that many of you, like many Americans, are glad that this seemingly never ending election campaign season is at last now almost over. As you have seen and can see on many of the video monitors and screens spread out through this room, Americans are going to the polls in what is predicted to be record numbers. The day has come, at last, for Americans to make their voices heard. Live from New York, it’s democracy in action!
This is an election unlike any other in our history, not just because the campaign for the presidency seems to have begun years ago, but especially because it features so many historic firsts: the first African-American to be nominated by a major political party, the first woman to have had a serious shot at the presidency, and the first major Hispanic candidate. It has been a campaign that has in equal parts both inspired and galvanized so many people -- Americans of various stripes and people from across the world.
Americans may groan and grumble about politics, politicians, and the political process. But we are also justly proud of our system. It has endured and triumphed over unforeseen obstacles since our young country cast its first ballot for the presidency in 1788. When General George Washington became our first president, our country and our democracy were in their infancy. There were many, at home and abroad, who wondered if either could survive--never mind succeed. But that’s the thing about democracy: this concept of a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people” has a resilience and a tenacity all its own.
Every four years, we Americans go to the polls to exercise our right to vote. And every four years (or sometimes eight) there is a peaceful transition from one presidency to another. Today is the day we learn what transition lies ahead and I know we are all eager to see how it plays out.
It is an honor and a pleasure to share this day with you. Thank you and enjoy.
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