MASS. SENATE RACE IS A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME
By Ara Khachatourian
Asbarez
Jan 20th, 2010
Republican Scott Brown defeated Democrat Martha Coakley Tuesday in
the Mass. Senate race called after Sen. Edward kennedy’s death.
The election of Republican Scott Brown to the Senate seat held for
decades by Sen. Edward Kennedy dealt a huge blow to the Democratic
Party and its ambitious legislative agenda.
Despite the fact that Democratic candidate Martha Coakley waged a poor
campaign and the state and national parties were nonchalant during
the election process, this loss can be seen as voter discontent
with the White House. This was the third such defeat for the Obama
Administration, which in the fall lost two gubernatorial seats-in
New Jersey and Virginia-to the Republican Party.
On a macro level, the outcome of Tuesday’s election can be attributed
to President Obama’s healthcare reform and economic recovery agendas.
On a micro level, however, the administration’s missteps led the
Armenian-American community to be ambivalent toward or reject the
democratic candidate.
Conversations with relatives, friends and Armenian community members
in Massachusetts during the past several days revealed the searing
disappointment and discouragement by the Armenian-American electorate,
who a year ago to date ushered in a new era of government.
That hope and promise have waned. More importantly, they have given
way to outright rejection of anything having to do with the Obama
Administration.
"We saw what our support last year resulted in," or "Why should I
support someone who has accepted an award from the ADL" (Coakley
reportedly was given an award by the Genocide denying Jewish group
the Anti-Defamation League), or "I am going to vote for Brown just
to screw Obama," were just a sampling of comments I heard during my
conversations with the folks in Massachusetts.
Coakley issued her statement to the Armenian-American community only
four days before the election-too little, too late.
As we enter the mid-term election cycle this year, voter discontent
with the Obama Administration and its policies will resonate on
the national level, but more fervently they will echo within the
Armenian-American voting base as the hope for change promised last year
during the election campaign have turned into not just unfulfilled
campaign promises but a disregard toward the Armenian-American
community by the White House, the State Department and the entire
administration.
Bearing the brunt of this will be our Democratic Congressional allies
who have fought long and hard for our community’s aspirations and
are seeking re-election this year.
One of the key races of 2010 will be the Nevada U.S. Senate race,
where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a long-time supporter of
Armenian issues and a cosponsor of the Senate Genocide bill, S. Res.
316, is currently trailing in the polls against Republican opponents
Sue Lowden and Danny Tarkanian, son of legendary UNLV coach Jerry
Tarkanian.
In Illinois, the Armenian community has already thrown its support
behind Republican Armenian Caucus co-chairman Mark Kirk in his race
to take the Senate seat once held by President Obama.
After the disappointment of this past year, the Armenian-American
community is poised to hit the polling booths in greater numbers and
more vocally campaign for its interests in Washington. The results
might not bode well for the Obama Administration, which right now
enjoys an absolute majority in Congress.
A lot can change between now and November. President Obama has an
opportunity to honor his campaign pledge and recognize the Genocide.
What better time than the 95th anniversary on April 24.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
