Remarks

United States Presidential Election

American Center

November 3, 2004

As-salaamu alaikum and namaskar.  It certainly has been an interesting day today.  I appreciate everyone’s attendance and continued interest in the United States election process we just witnessed. 
 
It is a proud day for all Americans.  As the world’s oldest continuing operating democracy, the presidential elections provide a wonderful event for us all to celebrate what it means to be a democracy.  In the last year leading up to the momentous last few hours we have seen the ideals of fairness, justice, equality, and participation.  This year’s election is no different, and while we all have just felt the excitement of the returns of the presidential election we should remember that putting together a successful election is more than the work of a single day like today or the debates of a few weeks back- it is the compilation of years of dedication to the ideals of democracy.  Democracy is an ongoing and never-ending process. 
 
Just as exciting is the peaceful nature of democracy.  Four years ago we witnessed one of the most contentious elections on record- but in the end the two candidates shook hands while the American people universally avoided the use of violence.  In fact, for most Americans, violence was not even a consideration.  Democracy is only effective when the participants all agree violence has no place in decision-making.  
 
As we move on from today and really begin to analyze the background to the participation of Americans in this year’s election, I expect to see two very interesting developments.  First, participation is up.  The close result of the 2000 election has been instrumental in reminding everyone that his or her vote is important and counts.  Some early predications suggested more than 118 million participants this year.  Democracy is strengthened by enthusiastic participation in the process, and as we get the final numbers in the coming days, I have no doubt that the numbers of Americans fulfilling their civic responsibility this year will be higher than in previous years. 
 
My second expectation builds off the first, that new U.S. citizens have played a crucial role in the 2004 election.  More than 2 million new citizens of the U.S. registered to vote since 2000 and considering how tight many of the races were, those new voters are very important.  This is a new constituency for the candidates to account for not only in the lection we just saw, but in the coming decades as well.  Swing states like Michigan have significant numbers of Muslim voters, many of whom are voting for the first time.  Considering the long and exemplary history of the United States as a welcome home for immigrants, I think new Americans’ importance in this election is fitting.  Democracy is inclusive, and nowhere is that more evident than in the participation of first time voters.  They are the embodiment of the American Dream. 
 
It is an exciting day to be an American and it is an exciting day to be someone dedicated to democracy.  Bush or Kerry, the real winners of this election is democracy itself. 
 
Now, let me take your questions.
 

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Note:  A Bangla translation of this article is also available from The American Center.  If you are interested in the translation, please call The American Center Press Section (Tel: 8813440-4, Fax: 9881677; e-mail: DhakaPA@state.gov; Website: dhaka.usembassy.gov).