Supporters say the Vietnam War record of John McCain, above, gives them confidence in his foreign policy for the region.By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
31 October 2008
Cambodians following the US presidential election say they greatly appreciate candidate John McCain for his leadership experience in politics, the economy and security, even those who support Barack Obama.
McCain, a Republican, and Obama, a Democrat, are locked in a heavily contested campaign, and despite a slight lead in the polls for Obama as the Nov. 4 election date approaches, the race remains in the hands of “undecided” voters.
At least one BBC poll suggests that world opinion is with Obama, but in Cambodia, where many still remember a 10-year occupation by the Vietnamese, McCain’s record as a fighter pilot resonates.
Kan Sichanto, 38, a staff member of a Phnom Penh non-governmental organization, said he was watching the race and hoping for McCain.
“John McCain has more experience in politics, security and foreign affairs and the economy for America and the world,” he told VOA Khmer. “If McCain wins the election, he will help to strengthen democracy and help provide aid development in Cambodia. He has experience with Indochina.”
Uch Sarak Chetha, 49, who owns a transportation company in the capital and is following the US campaign, said he preferred McCain, for his “strong political commitment” to global security and the economy.
“John McCain will take care of the Indochinese, in his former battlefield, more than other presidents,” he said.
McCain has a better policy for counterterrorism, he said.
Even if McCain enjoys wide support here, he has not won over every Cambodian voter.
Roern Sarun, 22, a student of media at Phnom Penh Royal University, said he recognized that the political experience of Obama was less than McCain, but said, “Obama’s policy will be able to solve the world and US economic crisis.”
“I prefer Barack Obama over John McCain, because Barack Obama has demonstrated clear policies to reform the economy and US leadership, better than McCain,” he said. “If we compare the policies and leadership experience, McCain is bigger than Obama, but we cannot say that Obama is weaker in security, foreign affairs or the economy.”
Moung Nareth, 34, who works as a translator for various organizations, said the word “change” in Obama’s campaign had attracted him to the cause of the Democrats this year.
“But I have doubts. If Obama wins the election, his foreign policy will be softer,” Moung Nareth said. “It can endanger the national and global security. But I believe the way to solve the security and terrorism [issues] is to demand more experience in security for Barack Obama.”
McCain, a Republican, and Obama, a Democrat, are locked in a heavily contested campaign, and despite a slight lead in the polls for Obama as the Nov. 4 election date approaches, the race remains in the hands of “undecided” voters.
At least one BBC poll suggests that world opinion is with Obama, but in Cambodia, where many still remember a 10-year occupation by the Vietnamese, McCain’s record as a fighter pilot resonates.
Kan Sichanto, 38, a staff member of a Phnom Penh non-governmental organization, said he was watching the race and hoping for McCain.
“John McCain has more experience in politics, security and foreign affairs and the economy for America and the world,” he told VOA Khmer. “If McCain wins the election, he will help to strengthen democracy and help provide aid development in Cambodia. He has experience with Indochina.”
Uch Sarak Chetha, 49, who owns a transportation company in the capital and is following the US campaign, said he preferred McCain, for his “strong political commitment” to global security and the economy.
“John McCain will take care of the Indochinese, in his former battlefield, more than other presidents,” he said.
McCain has a better policy for counterterrorism, he said.
Even if McCain enjoys wide support here, he has not won over every Cambodian voter.
Roern Sarun, 22, a student of media at Phnom Penh Royal University, said he recognized that the political experience of Obama was less than McCain, but said, “Obama’s policy will be able to solve the world and US economic crisis.”
“I prefer Barack Obama over John McCain, because Barack Obama has demonstrated clear policies to reform the economy and US leadership, better than McCain,” he said. “If we compare the policies and leadership experience, McCain is bigger than Obama, but we cannot say that Obama is weaker in security, foreign affairs or the economy.”
Moung Nareth, 34, who works as a translator for various organizations, said the word “change” in Obama’s campaign had attracted him to the cause of the Democrats this year.
“But I have doubts. If Obama wins the election, his foreign policy will be softer,” Moung Nareth said. “It can endanger the national and global security. But I believe the way to solve the security and terrorism [issues] is to demand more experience in security for Barack Obama.”
7 comments:
Enought for Repblican party! I'm Cambodian American I support Obama beause He will make world peace and democracy. Mr Mccan very boring!!!!!!same old boring Republican party and Palin is so redneck Klu Kla klan she talk like she known the whole world issue but she didn't known shit about the world today. So please vote for obama and god bless you and your family
Mr Mccan one of the contributor killing 3 million Viet during the war. He khow what it's like during a hard time. Hope he'll finish this fuck Viet with a nuke. not just a plan like last time. God bless america and Mccan this time round for done a hard job for the nation.
If I was in USA like you guy, I will vote for McCain. McCain knows every well about Viet and Hun Sen. Obama knows nothing about Southeast Asia.
May BUDDHA bless you the new US President,love from khmer american!
http://fr.youtube.com/user/maitreyaproject
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=7QzcRe2nFTg
Well, I will be voting for Obamba. McCain is retarded. This old man votes like Bush. I can't stand another year of Bush or McCain. McCain will bankrupt our economy by continuing the stupid, base on lie war, in Iraq. If you're middle class, McCain do not give a shit about you. He believe in trickle down economic where the rich may trickle their money down to the poor. It is "Voodoo economic".
I will convince my entire extended family to vote for Obama. No Republican can run the current economy. Those racist repugs have had 6 years of majority in the executive, legeslative, and judicial power in all 3 branches of government. What did they achieve? Fear mongering, callapse of the economy, costly, useless war, mismanagement of Katrina, Housing callapse, Mortgage meltdown, etc. FUCK them!!!
I will vote for McCain.
Good luck for both party 11/04/2008
Post a Comment