By Reporters, VOA Khmer
Original reports from Washington
27 October 2008
Sen. John McCain, the US presidential candidate for the Republican Party, has found wide support among Cambodians in the US, thanks to his Vietnam War record and the perception that he understands US-Cambodian policy.
In interviews from California to Virginia, US-Cambodians say they will choose McCain over his Democratic competitor, Barack Obama, when the presidential race comes to a close Nov. 4.
Kim Narin, who lives in Long Beach, Calif., said he believed McCain stood by his word.
“He does not just open a book and copy from a book,” he said. “I also belive that McCain is an honest person and has strong experience in the economy, national defense and foreign affairs.”
Hong Sovan Hang, who lives in Minnesota, said he was impressed with McCain’s time as a pilot in the Vietnam War, as well as his knowledge of Cambodian issues.
“I think Sen. John McCain knows Cambodia more, and I hope that he might have a foreign policy that could pay attention to Cambodian issues,” he said. “So I think I will vote for McCain. I also think that McCain has enough experience and is ready to lead the country based on his long-term experience in the Senate.”
The run-up to the presidential election has been a long one, and many voters have had time to change their minds along the way.
Kuch Chanly, who lives in Maryland, said he had weighed many times whether to vote for McCain or Obama. The eight years under President George W. Bush that had weakened the US economy and been an “embarrassment,” he said.
Nuch Vohar, who lives in Shanghai, China, said that even from so far away, and with the ability to vote by absentee ballot, he trusted the Republican Party to keep its policies and promises.
Pen Pere, who lives in Lowell, Mass., said McCain deserved to be the US commander-in-chief, thanks to his military experience.
“I think it is suitable for me to vote for McCain because he helps mortgages and small busineses,” Pen Pere said. “It there are no small businesses, the country’s economy cannot improve or progress. If we only help normal people who do not have small businesses, such as welfare people, then the country can’t progress.”
In Fresno, Calif., Sereyvuth Var, a liaison of the Community and Family Engagement Network to school districts in the town, said he supported McCain on his stance on the Iraq war.
“I don’t want the US to bring their troops home like they did to Vietnam and Cambodia,” he said.
Fresno restaurateur Piseth Sam said he was voting for McCain on the economy.
“I don’t like Obama’s policy on tax cuts,” he said.
A retiree and former soldier, Yath Yim, said he would vote for McCain because of his war recorder. McCain was “a commander, and he will help Cambodia,” Yath Yim said.
Not every US-Cambodian, however, supported McCain.
Setha Nhim, who works at a county office for education, said he would vote for Obama.
“He has a good policy on education,” he said, “and he cares about the US more than the war in Iraq.”
In interviews from California to Virginia, US-Cambodians say they will choose McCain over his Democratic competitor, Barack Obama, when the presidential race comes to a close Nov. 4.
Kim Narin, who lives in Long Beach, Calif., said he believed McCain stood by his word.
“He does not just open a book and copy from a book,” he said. “I also belive that McCain is an honest person and has strong experience in the economy, national defense and foreign affairs.”
Hong Sovan Hang, who lives in Minnesota, said he was impressed with McCain’s time as a pilot in the Vietnam War, as well as his knowledge of Cambodian issues.
“I think Sen. John McCain knows Cambodia more, and I hope that he might have a foreign policy that could pay attention to Cambodian issues,” he said. “So I think I will vote for McCain. I also think that McCain has enough experience and is ready to lead the country based on his long-term experience in the Senate.”
The run-up to the presidential election has been a long one, and many voters have had time to change their minds along the way.
Kuch Chanly, who lives in Maryland, said he had weighed many times whether to vote for McCain or Obama. The eight years under President George W. Bush that had weakened the US economy and been an “embarrassment,” he said.
Nuch Vohar, who lives in Shanghai, China, said that even from so far away, and with the ability to vote by absentee ballot, he trusted the Republican Party to keep its policies and promises.
Pen Pere, who lives in Lowell, Mass., said McCain deserved to be the US commander-in-chief, thanks to his military experience.
“I think it is suitable for me to vote for McCain because he helps mortgages and small busineses,” Pen Pere said. “It there are no small businesses, the country’s economy cannot improve or progress. If we only help normal people who do not have small businesses, such as welfare people, then the country can’t progress.”
In Fresno, Calif., Sereyvuth Var, a liaison of the Community and Family Engagement Network to school districts in the town, said he supported McCain on his stance on the Iraq war.
“I don’t want the US to bring their troops home like they did to Vietnam and Cambodia,” he said.
Fresno restaurateur Piseth Sam said he was voting for McCain on the economy.
“I don’t like Obama’s policy on tax cuts,” he said.
A retiree and former soldier, Yath Yim, said he would vote for McCain because of his war recorder. McCain was “a commander, and he will help Cambodia,” Yath Yim said.
Not every US-Cambodian, however, supported McCain.
Setha Nhim, who works at a county office for education, said he would vote for Obama.
“He has a good policy on education,” he said, “and he cares about the US more than the war in Iraq.”
42 comments:
I'm Khmer-American, I don't support McCain's policy. His is just another four years of continuation of George Bush failure of foreign and domestic policy.
Economy under Bush is the worst in US history and McCain just carry on if he is elected.
Obama is away to go for the next four years, if you want to see economic prosperity.
Khmer-California
I know many more cambodians are leaning towards Obama.
McCain will pursue a never ending war strategy that will bankrupt the US governement. He may know SEA policies but who aren't to say Obama doesn't? The warmongering mentality needs to end at the bush administration, we don't need an extension of it with McCain.
Regarding taxes, I don't know many cambodians who "NET" over 250k, so Obama's tax plan will benefit many cambodians. Those who receive welfare do not file taxes.
-Informed Young voter from Fresno, CA
I am living in Fresno, But I am not a US citizen yet. I talked to many Khmer who will go to vote. Yes, about 8 out of 10 said they will vote for McCain. Why? I don't know.
I am aware of the McCain sponsor campaign by cambodians in Fresno who do home calls. My parents got a few of them to vote for McCain. Fortunately they keep themselves informed by listening to news and deciding on their own without someone telling them who to vote for.
-Informed Young voter from Fresno, CA
I'm Cambodian-American.
I'm so concerned if Obama would be the President, the White House would become the Black House.
Dear 6:50 AM,
Just for the record, Obama's mother is white.
You have the right to voice your concern and I have the right to voice mine - you appear to be quite a jack arse here!
អក
Why do you care about the White house or the Black house?
You are not the White nor the Black either, so just go to vote for the "one" whom you trust the most!
I believe that you guys are lucky than the Cambodians who live in Cambodia!
They can not vote for the "one" whom they want to elect depending on many reasons... (everyone knows!)
Une Parsienne who studies in the State,
I vote for Obama.I hope he will help khmer people.
My fellow khmer. Pol pot came into power was due to CIA support. After khmer rouge got too strong. It was american who pack up and left us khmer to be killed by khmer rouge.
So, since when did any US did any thing good for khmer people? According to documentary, the ' vietnam war " wasn't even about communisism. Possible reason for vietnam war could be colonialism of vietnam, just like iraq now, and not terrorism.
Modern day colonialism is controll and natural resources. Vietnam war, and communist was just political terms used.
So, will Mccain really gonna help cambodia? I think it will be a 10% out of 100% possibility. Since when any white nation helped any country?
opinion based on
vietnam war secret ( doucumentary )
iraq war (documentary )
fact, khmer rouge power is the result of CIA support, and later abandonment.
anyway, vote with ur heart and fact, and not opinion!
Eh ben, cette Parisienne faisant ses etudes ici aux Etas-Unis a raison, non? Qu'en pense-t-on alors?
អក
I would vote for no one. I don't like either one of them. Let me see who will win....but of course, 75% of US people are going to vote for Obama because they are desperate and need a change. Also, Republicans is the problem because they were the ones who made the US economy like this.
I am so proud to see all the Khmer people here expressing their concerns toward the U.S presidential election. Vote for Obama, he will do us fruitful.
Ex-U.S Permanent Resident-focibly returned.
No, I'll vote for McCain!
OK?!
The reason why you vote for McCain is because he's White, I know you. Think about it and tell me Iam wrong.
I believe Mr.Obama will win the Election for 2008,That my prediction.
Some people may wonder why? Everything has reason,Think!!!
May God Bless the U.S.A
Hi folks,
America is a free country, you can vote for any one you like or you don't want to vote, it is all up to you.Unlike Ah Hun Zen's country, people must vote for Ah Khvang or else,it is a shame.
Thanks 9:30 AM!
Everything tends to be mostly global and international, so why can't i spend few years in the State? :)
If i were U.S citizen, i would vote for Obama!
I need the "change" and i also hate the "war", these are two of many reasons.
Une Parsienne who studies in the State,
7:09 AM, I agree. Also, j'aome les parisiens, mais bien plus les parisiennes!
Although I'm not a U.S. citizen, I do watch the progress of the U.S. election with interest. However, I look beyond the pretty faces of the two presidential candidates.
They get to where they are today because there are puppet masters behind them. Apart from the small contributions from the ordinary party members, where the hell did they get their millions from?
Look at George W. Bush today. He is just the PR face on TV, but he knows nuts about the world affairs. The real decision makers are his neo-con advisors, business and banking barons. Iraq invasion was about oil, so forget the crappy talks about the Iraqi freedom and democracy. There is only one true superpower today, but our world is still in a real mess. Why?
Like a scene from The Matrix movie: if you take the blue pill you can return to your happy rabbit hole as a slave; if you take the red pill you can wake up and see the world in its true reality: the human race, whether you are white, black, or yellow, is being controlled and manipulated by the central banking cartel as the head of the octopus whose countless arms include mass media, intelligent agencies, organised crimes, etc.
It's amazing to see the American political supporters, many of whom cannot identify all the States on their map (let alone Iraq), screaming with great relish at the promise of new America. The fact is that there will be no new America until it can print its own currency and it is no longer controlled by the private banking cartel that creates the credit crunch we are suffering today.
Good luck with your voting decision!
Melle 10:13 AM,
Vous etes une Parisienne d'origine Cambodgienne? May I ask what are you studying in the US?
Good analysis 10:18 AM! I agree with you.
CHANGE!
Hey! You, do you have a change?
I need chage.
The black man asked a guy from Hongkong.
The Chineese guy replied: "Oh! How do you know my name?"
"Here some changes!"
Talking about change, Americans will change their president from white to black.
Big change.
I always voted for democratic candidate, but not this time. I'm going to vote for John Mc Cain. He has extensive experience as the leader. He is a former pilot, ex-Hanoi prisoner, and senator. He will understand Hanoi attitude and hopes to help Hanoi to respect Khmer land and her people.
As you and I know African/American people behavior, they are always excused other people a race or discriminate. but, they're a lazy bunch of people who sit and sue other for money. How can you let Obama becoming a US president? Only some of stupid white people support him. Most of Cambodian people won't vote for Obama. As one said, White House will become Black House. Obama can pursuade people by his good speech,but no real experience. Who said "Palin lacks experience"? In Contrast, Obama has no experience as Palin who controls the whole state bigger than Hun Sen country.
Why a whole bunch of you and white people blamed Bush for failure? Asked yourself a question: did you vote for Bush in second term? If you did, shut your mouth and don't blame Bush. I didn't vote for Bush and I don't like Bush at all. But, for Mc Cain, he is my hero, not Oh mama.
Don't listen to ABC, NBC, and CBS news about the pole that they conduct. These national news are bias for Oh Mama.
VOTE FOR REPUBLICAN, JOHN MC. CAIN.
CAMBODIA IS FOR MC. CAIN.
Khmer in Potomac, Maryland
Some of you said "You don't support war". when terrorist destroyed twin tower and American declared war with those two countries, I bet all of you support the war at the first time. Now you said "Bush is to blame". Give me a break.
10:18AM
American president is still better than your idiot prime minister, Hun Sen, who knows nonething about nonething. American president is the world leader and can't compare with your leader, a peasant and killer.
So don't you think you're smarter than G. Bush. If you don't like the US, so why you come here for. You should stay where you belong.
Whoever supports Obama, those people are on welfare. They like to continue their welfare.
Even the young people who born in the US, they prefer Obama. They think they know better in this world and their mind don't see black and white. They see only black for this election. When they join the real world in their later lives, then they know the realty and will see black and white better.
Vote for Mc Cain.
Whoever eligible for vote, the law allows you 2 hours to cast your ballot. If your employer says something about this matter, you can tell them this is the law that I can come to work 2 hours late during election day.
So go and cast your vote.
Yes, we are in the United States, not Cambodia. We can vote for anyone we like.
I will vote for McCaine.
Another Khmer Fresno,
11:43 AM, I agree with you. I always vote for Democrate too but not this time. I have no problem with black or white. But I do not have much confidence in a person with less or un-experience to lead a powerful country in a time of crisis. I will vote for McCain.
Who? Obama will change? Give me a break. I already voted for 5 US presidents. All promised to change this and change that. When they got to office, they all are the same and changed nothing.
McCain will help Cambodia? Come on, stop dreaming. How many times did USA help Cambodia? McCain cares about Vietname more than Cambodia now.
I do not like both of them very much but I will select McCain because he stands firm on Iraq war. I don't like war as much as you do. But withdraw the US troops soon like Obama's plan will kill more people, not US troops but Iraqi people. Remember Khmers people were killed by Khmer Rouge?
Obama might be a bit better than the dying McCain but in the end of the day, it's just same old garbage in and garbage out every four years. The real owners of the US are those billionaires who run the economies. Those politicians are there to give you the idea you have freedom, right, and power to change the country but YOU DON'T.
Hun Sen is called a strong man for a reason. If Hun Sen isn't so enforcing, do you think Cambodia is where it is today? NO! The Khmer Rouge would have not surrendered. There would still be many fanatic factions in the government with their own army ready to kill each other at any given second. You people don't live in Cambodia. You hear shit from other people and say it like you know it. I lived in Cambodia in the 80's and 90's and I know what it was like.
To be honest,I can't really decided who to vote for, they both speaking from the scripts,America is at worst right now,and I don't think they can pull any miracle to get America back on her feets. May the best liar win,and we'll see what happen the next for years...Don't tell me I didn't tell you so.....
If the Mr.Obama win the Election of 2008? Because the politic of United State to calm the Nation.
Right, McCain is old. He may die anytime soon. But a lot of people have fear for Obama too. He can be assassinated if he wins.
I think I will vote for McCain. If he die, he will die naturally.
3:08 PM said "You hear shit from other people and say it like you know it. I lived in Cambodia in the 80's and 90's and I know what it was like."
You miss the 70's with Pol Pot. You also know shit about Cambodia now in 2000's. So don't speak like you know better than anyone else. I have been living in Cambodia for my whole life and I don't give any fucking credit or support to your boss Hun Sen.
Khmer Phnom Penh
Some people need to Understand of our time,If Mr.Obama win the election for 2008...Not because he's black or he's white.Because he's the choosing one and How many Nationality in the United State?..and Mr.Obama do not Run the Country alone..With the Congressman and with the Nation supports.
May God Bless the U.S.A
Oh, c'mon, don say that... I'm Khmer-US too... But do you know how much I hate the warload McCain?
HATE is your middle name?
10:42 PM
Where does your Boss Sam Rainsy get money to send his daughter to the university here in the US? He doesn't seem to have a job beside running the party. Could it be that he uses the money overseas Khmer donate for his personal benefits and be able to send his children to study in prestigious university here in the US?
Your boss Sam Rainsy have been scamming the overseas folks for so long and most of them still never got around to ask how Sam Rainsy manages the money donation in his party. Just think about that for a bit folks. Where does Sam Rainsy get the money to send his children out of the country to study in very expensive and high profile universities?
I worked for Sam Rainsy for two years. The sad truth is, I can positively confirm that many funds were diverted for personal use.
Yes it was all about the money.
You want to make a rumor!
You can say whatever you want without any proof!
4:36 PM
Rainsy is not my boss, neither Kim Sokha. I do not have any political boss. I am not a member of any parties.
If your information is true, Rainsy steals money from a few hundred of you guy oversea. But Hun Sen steals money from millions of poor Khmers in Cambodia.
I do not know if your information about Rainsy financial is base on your judgement or proof. I also heard about Kim Sokha before 2008 election. Poeple said that he stold money from his Human Rights organization. This is what I know. I have been working at one bank in Phnom Penh. Kim Sokha loaned from my bank, $150,000 two years before election to build his house and $100,000 during election.
Once every 2 or 3 months he comes to the bank and transfers a few thousands to his children who study in USA. I prepared his transaction 2 or 3 times with my own hands. When I heard that he stold money, I said to myself 'how much do they know about this guy financial?'
So I don't know if your information about Rainsy who took you guy's money is true or not.
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