INSTAPUNDIT - ARE EXPATS REALLY GOING KERRY? In response to my earlier post, a reader writes from Bulgaria:
I'm an ex-pat in Sofia, Bulgaria and have been watching CNN World do pieces called "A View From Europe," which shows a series of snippets from expats living throughout (old) Europe. Every one I've seen has been anti-Bush (eg. pro-Kerry by default). Most are a bit stylized, well-edited jobs with excellent voice overs while the expat walks down streets, or buys groceries, or does other normal things (working in this field myself, I always laugh at what I know is contrived, albeit well-contrived).
Most of the fellow ex-pats I meet around here are split 70/30 Bush. And most of those Bush supporters dread-as I do-a Kerry presidency based on their understanding of the `rest of the world' (that sounds arrogant, but it's exactly the `ex-pat' knowledge of the `rest of the world' that makes their expertise seem to matter more, yes?).
Kerry is seen as weak. And frankly, many people, even here, work in risky jobs and don't want another "Tomahawk thrower." With Bush, at least, an overseas bombing or kidnapping will be reported in the news (repeatedly, with accompanying editorial), prompting the current administration to act if it hasn't already. In short, most are looking out for #1, and know who is the Reagan and who is the Carter in our current election.
The 30% or so going for Kerry still have nothing good to say about Kerry, but stick to the Bush Dumb=I'm Embarrassed and Alienated From Important Foreign People meme. It tends to be a reflection of what CNN World is televising, and apparently what is being reported over in the States. |
