More Photos from the DAT Polls at the Roadhouse

Photos from the DAT Poll at the Roadhouse

Thanks to Don Linder, DAT Vice-Chair, for taking these photos. And thanks to all the volunteers who came out to help organize the polling center, and to all the Americans who took time on a Saturday to come out and vote in what is surely one of the most exciting Democratic Primary contests EVER!

Results from DAT Polling Stations in Nongkhai and Udon Thani -- Feb 9th and 10th

Democrats Abroad Thailand organized polling centers to give Americans up in the Northeast of Thailand the opportunity to vote on the weekend of February 9 and 10. In Nongkhai, we used a Starbucks outlet (but the article from the Associated Press which did not specify which Starbucks -- leading to puzzled calls to DAT officers from Americans asking "what, I can vote at any Starbucks?") and Udon Thani, we were kindly hosted by the Charoen Hotel.

These are partial results, based only on the Americans who turned up to vote at the polling centers, and not including any who may have voted by internet or fax. There were reported by Mike Carroll, the Voting Center Manager for the NE and volunteer who put in so many hours to support this effort in Isarn!

Sen. Barack Obama -- 80%
Sen. Hillary Clinton -- 14%
Gov. Bill Richardson -- 6%

Thanks again to Mike and the band of volunteers in Isarn! In Nongkhai, DAT would like to thank Penny Khounta, Charles Alton, Gary Jahn, and Kevin Kamp. In Udon, we would like to thank Frank Brunet, John Murphy, John Neihaus, and Paul Pitarys. DAT looks forward to working with all of you to establish a formal Northeast Thailand Chapter of DAT in the coming months.

DAT also wants to thank the Starbucks in Nongkhai, the staff and management of the Charoen Hotel, and all the folks at Steve's Irish Clock Pub in Udon.

DAT Chiang Mai Polls on Feb. 5th and 9th

DAT's Chiang Mai and the North chapter opened voting centers at the AIDSNet Foundation in town (Feb. 5 and 9) and Payap University (Feb. 5 morning) and saw very good turn-outs of Americans turning out to help determine who will be the Democratic nominee for President.

With the very important caveat that these results are partial, and do not include any email, fax or mail votes from the North, here is what happened:

Feb. 9 -- AIDSNet Foundation

Sen. Barack Obama -- 84%
Sen. Hillary Clinton -- 16%

Feb. 5 -- AIDS Net Foundation

Sen. Barack Obama -- 87%
Sen. Hillary Clinton -- 9%
Uncommitted -- 4%

Feb. 5 -- Payap University

Sen. Barack Obama -- 66%
Sen. Hillary Clinton -- 28%
Sen. Joe Biden -- 3%
Rep. Dennis Kucinich -- 3%

Thanks to Gary Suwannarat, Catherine Nesbit, Martha Butt, Carol Grodzins, and all the other DAT Northern chapter volunteers who helped at these important polls! DAT really appreciates your support. We also appreciate the support of the leadership and staff at the AIDSNet Foundation and Payap U. for making space available for DAT to hold the polls!

Results of DAT Voting Center -- Bangkok -- February 9, 2008

Democrats turned out from Bangkok and suburbs, and as far away as Pattaya and the eastern seaboard to vote at the DAT Voting Center at the Roadhouse Barbecue at the corner of Suriwong and Rama IV Road! A very good time was had by all, voting and dining on the excellent food and beverages on offer from Chef Dana (from Maine - who was the first voter at the poll) and his great staff.

The results of the votes cast between 3 and 8:30 p.m . at the Voting Center were the following:

Sen. Barack Obama -- 63%
Sen. Hilary Clinton -- 35%
Sen. Joe Biden -- 1%
Rep. Dennis Kucinich -- 1%

Please note that these results are partial, and do not include votes by email, fax or mail that may have been cast by Democrats in Bangkok.

Thanks go to Andy Boname, the Voting Center Manager, and all the great volunteers who came out to assist their fellow Americans vote.

Thanks also to Dana and the Roadhouse staff for keeping us well fed and watered throughout the day and for making your great venue available for our polling station!

Go Democrats in 2008!

Super Tuesday in Bangkok

By Don Linder, Vice-Chair, DAT

Super Tuesday Democratic primary polling in Bangkok took place in a very different atmosphere from what you’d expect in say, New York, California, Alabama, or North Dakota. Democrats Abroad Thailand (DAT) organized polling for the first Global Democratic Primary at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT) from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm. The bar was open, as it always is from afternoon on, and although we’d asked the bartender to change the TV broadcast shown on the several flat screen TVs from Bloomberg to CNN, he switched to Al Jareeza TV, which featured substantial coverage of the primaries. Definitely not Kansas anymore.

The Democratic Global Primary gives a voice in the primary process to the millions of full-time American ex-patriates and many more American travelers. A voter who has registered with Democrats Abroad may choose to vote securely on-line or by paper ballot at a polling station. Voters in the global primary may not vote in their state primaries. Democrats Abroad will have a delegation of 22 voting delegates at the nominating convention in August, effectively making it the “51^st State.”

There are 700 plus Americans registered with DAT, and by 6 pm, nearly 200 votes had been cast. Three other polling locations in Thailand – in Chiang Mai, Nongkhai, and Udorn Thani – serve ex-pats from around the country, as well from neighboring Laos and Burma.

The concerns of Americans living abroad often differ from those living in the States, as evidenced at DAT’s Issues Forum held last week at a local Starbucks. While an informal straw poll indicated that the Iraq war, the economy, and health care were top issues, the number one concern was America’s standing in the world/international relations – a grassroots issue for those who work, play, and go about their daily lives on foreign soil.

Great Observation from DA Thailand Volunteer at 5 Feb Polls

Just want to say how nice it was to work together Tuesday for Democrats Abroad. Did you see the write up in the Bangkok Post? I find our group so refreshing after being among Thais all the time who approach elections with fear and trepidation, afraid to talk about the issues important to them. My Thai wife voted two weeks ago: the environment of the polling station was covered with formality, police and lack of any discussion. Back home they just said, there were no bribes this year. Hopeless. What a contrast to all of us sitting at the bar and around different tables exchanging ideas freely.

The most striking moment for me on Super Tuesday was when an 18 year old girl named Bouquet came up to the ballot box to insert her ballot for the first time in her life. She was giggly and excited and smiled so broad you could see the sunbeams breaking through the dark clouds of powerlessness which is part of being a teenager. She stepped up to the plate and claimed her rights to make a change. 18 and hopeful. They may have told her children are to be seen and not heard. But last Tuesday she said: Yes I can!
I was at the other side of the ballot box. I couldn't help but shake her hand and thank her for coming out today. So she got her Dad to take a picture of us shaking hands. Her Dad was silent behind the camera. But as a fellow father, I saw his grin of pride. I knew in my heart he was thinking: Yes, she can! It was a victory for me too: as I finished a day of volunteering to insure a free and fair election. We all did that together.

So Bouquet is the one I pondered about. I want us as Democrats Abroad in Thailand to encourage young people and their folks and their expat teachers to pick up the scent of this Bouquet ...learning to participate in public life and become young Democrats with a real voice that can bring change. Yes, we can.

Dr. Donald S. Persons, Foreign Expert
ASEAN Institute for Health Development
Mahidol University
Thailand

Voting Results from Bangkok Polling Center -- 5 February 2008

Democrats Abroad Thailand (DAT)'s polling center at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand was a big success, with hundreds of Americans resident in Thailand coming out to exercise their right to vote to determine who will be our Democratic nominee for President. The results of the voting was as follows:

Sen. Barack Obama -- 68%
Sen. Hillary Clinton -- 29%
Sen. John Edwards -- 1%
Rep. Dennis Kucinich -- 1%
Uncommitted -- 1%

These results are partial, and do not reflect any voting by internet, fax, or regular mail. They only reflect the votes of those Americans who came to the FCCT on February 5, 2008. There will be another voting day in Bangkok on Saturday, February 9, from 3 to 8:30 p.m. at the Roadhouse Barbecue restaurant, located at Suriwong and Rama 4 intersection (closest BTS stop is Sala Daeng). A map is available at www.roadhousebarbecue.com -- look forward to seeing more of you on Saturday!

The Nation (Bangkok) -- US Expats Vote in Primary Poll in Thailand

The Nation (Bangkok)
US expats vote in primary poll in Thailand

Published on February 5, 2008

The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand was decked out in red, white and blue on Super Tuesday, as expatriate Americans of all ages had their say on which Democratic Party candidate should compete in the race for presidency in November.

The Chair of Democrats Abroad Thailand, Phil Robertson said this was the first time Democrat Primaries were happening in 34 countries across the globe, as well as over the Internet, and he expected a couple of hundred voters of all ages to come from all around the region to vote here in Bangkok.

"When I talk to friends of mine who aren't American they all say to me, 'You guys should be more careful about who you elect'. I think people who live overseas are broadminded and have an important voice, so I think I have a duty to make sure that voice is heard," he said.

While Democrats were divided as to who will make the best presidential candidate, Robertson said they would unite behind whoever was chosen to run for presidency.

Greg Auberry, 45, and wife Veronica Suozzi, 46, have lived abroad for many years, and have spent the last four in Hanoi. They brought their two young children all the way from Vietnam for their first taste of democracy.

"This is our democratic moment and they're so excited about it. We came to shop for groceries and we're also shopping for a presidential candidate!" Auberry said.

After much consideration, Auberry said he had decided to vote for Hillary Clinton.

"I think Obama's a much more exciting candidate, but I think in the long term Hillary will know how to govern in Washington. I think he [Obama] needs to earn his stripes. The economy, Iraq, there's too many variables for me to vote for him," he said.

He said he was unsure who would win the candidacy as it was a very tight race, but his children had their predictions ready. Dean, 10, although not an Obama fan, saw him as the frontrunner.

"I think Obama. I don't want him to win, but I think a lot of people like him," he said.

Meanwhile Ella, 4, is an Obama supporter for as good a reason as any other.

"She wants Obama, cause she like's his name!" Auberry said.

A couple of other Obama fans were Dr Jeffrey Wachtel and Dr Donald Persons.

Dr Wachtel, a leadership advisor, is from Florida and has lived in Thailand since 2001. He met, and almost found himself working for, George W. Bush Jr before he was elected President. This year he voted in his state primary, not as a Democrat Abroad, and had a last minute change of heart on his preference.

"I voted for Hillary and closed the envelope up. Then I saw the Iowa results and saw Obama had won. Barack showed all the signs of what we want in a leader. To me, he seems the number one candidate with the ability to lead," he said.

"It convinced me that Americans would vote for a black man who was a real leader and that showed me he was electable. That swayed me away from what was practical to what I thought was best for our country."

His friend Dr Persons, who has lived in Thailand since 1984, and attended Obama's church in Chicago, agreed.

"Barack has young people excited. She [Clinton] won't mobilise the people," he said.

"This guy is rock solid, good integrity, he speaks the truth and won't be pulled by the nose. The world needs him in that position. Governments of the world will be able to sit down together and talk."

Dr Persons said worry over his inexperience was irrelevant.

"The bureaucracy tells them what they do and what they don't do. He's not just alone, they will guide him. It'll be great for the America, for the world," he said.

Elizabeth Gray Boname, originally from Texas, has lived in Thailand for almost a year with her husband and two young children.

She said she was saddened by the change in foreigners' views of Americans over the past decade.

"As someone whose lived overseas since 1993, it's enormously sad for me as an American, to see how much the perception of our country has changed."

She said Obama was her preferred candidate because he was so refreshing.

"For the first time in a long time I actually have excitement for who is going to be our next president. I think he's an exciting candidate, I think he's someone who signals more change," she said.

Chris Kimble, Chair of Republicans Abroad Thailand, was the lone Republican in attendance. He said he was working on forging ties between the two groups, and although Republicans living abroad cannot physically come to vote as the Democrats can, he and his colleagues had worked hard to encourage people to vote in their home state ballot.

"We try to educate Americans on how to vote overseas. The biggest thing is to let Republicans know they can vote and how they can vote. We don't really put one candidate over the other," he said.

Both parties agreed on one thing: the presidential race is set to be a close and exciting one.

"This is gonna be an interesting election with a lot of controversy," Mr Kimble said.

Democrat supporters currently residing outside of the US who didn't have a chance to vote today, can do so in Bangkok this Saturday, February 9, and at other regional centres over the next few days.

See www.democratsabroad.org for details.

by Lily Partland

The Nation

Thai News Agency -- Democrats Voting in Bangkok

Americans cast ballots in Thailand for new US president

by Lance Woodruff

BANGKOK, Feb 5 (TNA) - Americans in Thailand – in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nong Khai and Udorn – are voting in Super Tuesday, an historic international primary.

On Super Tuesday in Bangkok, Americans joined their compatriots in Tokyo, Manila, Phnom Penh and Paris, for example, in casting paper ballots which will be sent air express to Geneva, Switzerland for official counting.

"The American public have had enough of George W. Bush and his failed war in Iraq and failed economic policies," said Democrats Abroad chairman Phil Robertson.

For the first time in United States political history, Americans around the world have voted for a change of government in Washington by casting their ballots formally in recognised polling stations in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nong Khai and Udon Thani in Thailand, and more than 100 other cities worldwide. .

Super Tuesday in the United States—like last Sunday's Super Bowl football contest -- is 'super' because it's the biggest primary election day for the 2008 presidential race.

Americans living overseas at some 100 locations around the world – beginning with Jakarta, Indonesia, where the American polls opened at midnight local time – voted Tuesday in the first offshore primary elections in American history. The Foreign Correspondents Club in Bangkok was the venue for America's first offshore polls in Thailand.

For some Americans it is their very first election. For 18-year-old Bouquet Harger, a Matayom Six student at Mater Dei Institute in Bangkok, a Thai-American excited by the choice she had to vote – her very first as a Thai or as an American -- for the first American woman president in history, or perhaps America's first Black president.

But her years in one of Bangkok's finest girls' schools have prepared her for citizenship not only in Thailand, but as a world citizen. And as a Thai-American she has the privilege of being a citizen in two countries.

American Democrats by definition are voting for what some would call 'regime change', suggests Democrats Abroad in Thailand chairman Phil Robertson, as Republican George W. Bush has occupied the White House for two terms, and Democrats, by definition, want a Democrat in that office.

But more than that, according to Mr. Robertson, "many American voters casting their ballots today are opposed to misguided American military intervention in Iraq and the threat of further adventures in the Middle East, and the failed economic polices of President George Bush."

Numbers of independents and Republican American voters are coming out to register as Democrats, Mr., Robertson says, because they are dissatisfied with the course of the American politics, from the war in Iraq, to the meltdown of American social services and the sub-prime mortgage lending crisis. They are voting to repudiate the polices of the Bush administration, he said.

Americans around the world are also voting for Joe Biden, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson, but for the climate of the polling booths in Bangkok, it looks like it will be a close race between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, which may not be decided until the Democratic National Convention in Denver in Colorado.

Thailand-generated American Democrat votes be pivotal in influencing the US Democratic presidential candidate in November, says Mr. Robertson, who predicts that whatever candidate the Democrats field in August, they will sweep the polls against the Republican candidate, which at this point looks like Sen. John McCain, who is respected by most Democrats, even if they don't agree with his politics.

The US Presidential election will take place on Tuesday November 4, when the successor to President George W. Bush is chosen by American voters.

Additional American voting will take place again on Saturday from 3-8:30pm in Bangkok and on Saturday and Sunday in NongKhai and Udon Thani. (TNA)