Cambodians Following US Race From Afar
The Vietnam War record of John McCain still resonates, supporters of the Republican said Friday. (31 October 2008)
Cambodians following the US presidential election say theygreatly appreciate candidate John McCain for his leadership experience in politics, theeconomy and security, even those who support Barack Obama. McCain, a Republican, and Obama, a Democrat, are locked in aheavily contested campaign, and despitea 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 withObama, but in Cambodia,where many still remember a 10-year occupation by the Vietnamese, McCain’srecord 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 andforeign affairs and the economy for America and the world,” he told VOAKhmer. “If McCain wins the election, he will help to strengthen democracy andhelp provide aid development in Cambodia.He has experience with Indochina.” Uch Sarak Chetha, 49, who owns a transportation company inthe capital and is following the US campaign, said he preferredMcCain, for his “strong political commitment” to global security and the economy. “John McCain will take care of the Indochinese, in his formerbattlefield, 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 overevery Cambodian voter. Roern Sarun, 22, a student of media at PhnomPenh Royal University, said he recognized that the politicalexperience of Obama was less than McCain, but said, “Obama’s policy will be able tosolve the world and USeconomic crisis.” “I prefer Barack Obama over John McCain, because BarackObama has demonstrated clear policies to reform the economy and USleadership, better than McCain,” he said. “If we compare the policies andleadership experience, McCain is bigger than Obama, but we cannot say thatObama is weaker in security, foreign affairs or the economy.” Moung Nareth, 34, who works as a translator for variousorganizations, said the word “change” in Obama’s campaign had attracted him tothe cause of the Democrats this year. “But I have doubts. If Obama wins the election, his foreignpolicy will be softer,” Moung Nareth said. “It can endanger the national and globalsecurity. But I believe the way to solve the security and terrorism [issues] isto demand more experience in security for Barack Obama.”