Kerry Supporters in HoChi Minh City

[sandnsea]

One more reason I support Kerry and believe he is dedicated to peaceful relations around the world and knows how to move the Congress forward, even with a situation as difficult as Vietnam. Hopefully with his and Senator McCain's efforts, we won't have another N Korea and the people of Vietnam will have a chance at a better life. It isn't going to happen instantly, but with the right kinds of engagement and diplomacy, it can happen eventually.

"Americans residing in Vietnam held the first event for the 2004 U.S.
Presidential Election in Ho Chi Minh City by meeting for breakfast at the New World Saigon on November 21, 2003.

A group of American citizens---business people, charity workers and
others-- gathered to show their support for John Kerry overseas. They were all thrilled to receive a call from Senator Kerry who spoke for 20 minutes explaining his policies and positions. He then answered questions including those from the Press who attended the function.

This is just the beginning of an effort to generate support for John Kerry for President among Americans working in SE Asia. Kerry struck a solid chord when he said America should be leading by example and not force and should have a multilateral and not unilateral foreign policy. He said the time has come to enact an economic policy that is fair to all classes, not just the rich. And we should have an Administration that understands and cares about the environment.

The breakfast coincided with the arrival of a US Navy ship to the Saigon Port, a symbolic event that signaled the full normalization of the US and Vietnam governments' relations that includes diplomatic, economic and now, military, ties.

Senator Kerry was instrumental in the normalization of Vietnam relations with the US and has many supporters here in the American community as someone who knows how to solve complicated international situations, similar in many ways to the situation in Iraq. This group emphasized how this experience of Senator Kerry will serve him well as President."

http://blog.johnkerry.com/

[JI7]

1. he helped bill clinton

bill clinton got huge help from john kerry on the vietnam issue. the right wing draft dodgers were attacking bill clinton on it, and people like senator kerry stood by clinton through this. in fact it was kerry who pushed for clinton to make relations better.

[sandnsea]

2. Yes, Kerry pushed for this

He reached out to John McCain and they just decided to get it done. It started with investigating missing POW's and led to recovery efforts of POW/MIA remains, then went forward to the normalization of relations. They spent years on this and got it accomplished. It was really more like Clinton supported the efforts of Kerry and McCain, as I understand it.

[JI7]

3. yes, a difficult thing for all

yes, kerry,mccain and other vets pushed clinton to do it. it was difficult for bill clinton because he didn't go into the war. unlike some(gwbush) he actually felt guilty for not going to the war, even though he protested it and didn't want anyone to go. and difficult for people like kerry and mccain who did go to war because of the horrible memories. but it was the right thing to do.to make life better for vietnamese and for healing for americans ,e specially ones who went there. there are a bunch of right wing sites online which accuse kerry of being a communist, or supporting murder in vietnam because of this. sadly, one was posted on here and accused kerry of supporting genocide of christians. this is the exact crap he was getting when he pushed for better relations.

[sandnsea]

4. I know

I've seen it all. But after living with N Korea all my life, I think his way is better. I think there's alot better chance of eliminating religious and ethnic crimes when you're engaged with countries than when you isolate them. It sure is a tricky business and why I want someone who has experience with all of these countries so we get it right for a change.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

5. A real authentic leader

Bravo Kerry!