ARMENIAN AMERICAN VOTERS HELP DELIVER OBAMA/BIDEN VICTORY
De Facto
Nov 7, 2008
YEREVAN, 07.11.08. DE FACTO. The Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA) welcomed President-elect Barack Obama and
Vice-President-elect Joe Biden’s historic win yesterday as a new and
powerful opportunity for American recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
stronger U.S.-Armenia relations, and U.S. support for a settlement
of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict that respects its citizens’ right
to self-determination.
The ANCA also welcomed the election of 94% of the Congressional
candidates it had endorsed in House and Senate races.
"The victory of Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden stands as a
testament to the strength of grassroots activism across the United
States committed to change," stated ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.
"Starting with the ANCA’s endorsement of Senator Obama in January of
this year, Armenian Americans in battleground states – organized by
an extremely effective and far-reaching Armenians for Obama operation
– played a critical role in bringing Armenian American Democrats,
Independents and a surprisingly large percentage of Republicans
to the Obama-Biden ticket on Election Day. Our pre-election polls
showed between 80 and 85% support for Obama-Biden in our community,
a very strong showing, particularly in a community well represented
across the American political spectrum, and a testament to the fact
that Armenian Americans are willing to cross party lines to support
pro-Armenian candidates."
"In many ways, this election marked the emergence of the Armenian
American community as a powerful and broadly respected Presidential
election constituency, one that is able – through grassroots
efforts, campaign professionals, fundraising, media outreach, and
get-out-the-vote – to help tip the balance in a close national contest
toward the candidate best positioned to reflect our views and values,"
concluded Hachikian.
President-elect Obama was consistently strong in his outreach to
Armenian American voters, issuing a powerful statement in January,
2008, voicing his vigorous support for passage of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution and pledging that, as President, he would recognize the
Armenian Genocide. The Presidential hopeful also reaffirmed his support
for a strong "U.S.-Armenian relationship that advances our common
security and strengthens Armenian democracy." Unlike other candidates,
he also pledged to "promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the
Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting and
durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict that is agreeable
to all parties, and based upon America’s founding commitment to the
principles of democracy and self determination." President-Elect Obama
restated his pledge on two subsequent occasions, the last one in the
form of a fact sheet issued just four days before the Presidential
election, which stated in no uncertain terms "Barack Obama strongly
supports passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and
S.Res.106) and will recognize the Armenian Genocide."
Senator Obama and Biden’s records on Armenian American concerns can
be read at: d.pdf