“Only Reagan didn’t disappoint”
During his presidential term, the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama disappointed those Armenian Americans who believed that he would give his true evaluation of the 1915 Armenian Genocide by calling it "genocide" in his April 24 addresses.
Barack Obama has already announced that he is planning to "seize" the White House again and this means that Armenian Americans will once again have to choose who they want to see as the next U.S. President.
"I think it is still too early to draw conclusions on which candidate the Armenian American community will decide to endorse. That is a decision takenf the incumbent president continues at this rate, it will be very hard for him to convince the Armenian community to cast votes for him by individual organizations. But it shouldn't come as a surprise that if the incumbent president continues at this rate, it will be very hard for him to convince the Armenian community to vote for him," Director of the Bureau for the Armenian Cause and Political Affairs Kiro Manoyan told "A1+" today.
Since the U.S. presidential elections are not held directly, but by the assembly of the states, in that sense the Armenian community's vote has a rather large impact on the elections. "For example, in California, as well as New York, Boston and Florida, it has an impact to a certain extent."
Kiro Manoyan recalled that out of all U.S. Presidents, only President Reagan met Armenian Americans' expectations in terms of Armenian Genocide recognition. "After Reagan, all U.S. Presidents have pledged to use the term "genocide", but have not fulfilled their promise."
Mr. Manoyan also mentioned that the 1915 Armenian Genocide is not the only issue that is leaving the Armenian Americans undecided. "First, they decide as individuals, but it is very important to see the candidate's position on issues concerning Armenians and whether he or she is preparing to support the NKR and more."
What impact die Barack Obama's term have on the issues concerning Armenians? In response, Mr. Manoyan said: "The "football diplomacy" with Armenia as the main role-player began during Obama's term. The fact that Obama ignored the views expressed by the Armenian community and the Senators and appointed Matthew Bryza U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan added to all this. In any case, it is still too early to predict who the Armenian community will vote for during the next presidential elections."
