Are expatriate Democrats as energized as their counterparts back home? According to this accountfrom France’s Le Figaro newspaper, Americans on the ‘front lines’ internationally may be even more riveted than anyone to the U.S. primary race.
“Americans abroad want someone who will extend a hand to the rest of the world. We feel that the United States has alienated itself.”
— Constance Borde, Vice President of Democrats Abroad
By Valérie Samson
Translated By Kate Davis
France – Le Figaro – Original Article (French)
Just like Barack Obama has on the campaign trail, John Morris harangues the small crowd gathered in his apartment. We’re not in Paris, Texas or Paris, Maine, but in the capital of France. “How many of you are undecided?” Morris asks. At the meeting of about 80 American Democrats, less than a dozen hands go up. Many of those seem to be leaning toward Obama. “Americans abroad want someone who will extend a hand to the rest of the world. We feel that the United States has alienated itself,” explained Constance Borde, Vice President of Democrats Abroad France .
The enthusiasm of Democrats in Paris for the Clinton-Obama match-up is matched only by the apathy that seems to characterize the Republican camp on this side of the Atlantic. For Democrats in France, the issue is mainly about figuring out where to vote. It’s a question of strategy. When it comes to American elections, the issue quickly turns into a headache. They can either participate in the primaries as Americans abroad or vote in their last state of residence. On the one hand, there are those like John Morris, a militant Obama supporter, who thinks Americans abroad should speak with a single, united voice. And on the other, there are those who intend to make their vote count. The questions erupt around the room: “Where is my vote going to be most important?”Everyone has an answer. “It seems to me that this is where my vote will count the most. If you vote in New York, your vote will be lost in the crowd.” A militant says: “But couldn’t we vote twice? Here and in our home state?” Laughter breaks out in the room. “I would remind you, that’s a crime!” cautions Constance Borde.
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