US presidential election: ANCA rep on office-seekers’ stands on issues of special concern to Armenian community
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) tracks the policy and political records of all presidential candidates, including both the Clinton-Kaine Democratic ticket and the Trump-Pence Republican ticket - to help ensure that the Armenian community has comprehensive and reliable information about where the office-seekers stand on issues of special concern to the community, Elizabeth S. Chouldjian, Communications Director, ANCA Washington, DC Office Staff, told Tert.am.
“We are just as thorough on U.S. Senate and House candidates, issuing ANCA Report Cards detailing their support,” she said.
In the case of the Democratic ticket, Secretary Clinton has had a mixed record on Armenian American issues - particularly regarding her stance on the Armenian Genocide. As a Senator, she was a cosponsor of Armenian Genocide legislation - and pledged to continue that support in 2008, when she issued a Presidential campaign statement pledging support for a broad array of community concerns, Ms Chouldjian said.
As Secretary of State under the Obama Administration, she was a lead proponent of the deeply flawed Turkey-Armenia Protocols, and later, during a State Department town hall meeting, mischaracterized the Armenian Genocide as a "historical debate." While on an official visit to Armenia, Secretary Clinton did visit Dzidzernagapert, although she later claimed that the visite was in her "personal capacity."
Her Vice-Presidential pick, Senator Kaine, was supportive of Armenian Genocide commemoration efforts as both Richmond Mayor and Commonwealth Governor. As Senator, he voted, in 2014, in support of Armenian Genocide legislation in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - only after taking a lead role in weakening the language in the measure, Ms Chouldjian said.
On the Republican side, Mr. Trump has little or no direct record on Armenian American concerns. His business interests in Azerbaijan have been linked to Anar Mammadov, the son of Azerbaijan's Transportation Minister, who was among the founders of the Azerbaijan America Alliance, which lead a multi-million dollar lobbying campaign against Armenian concerns in the United States.
Mr. Trump's Vice-Presidential running mate, Gov. Mike Pence, has a mixed record himself. As a U.S. House member, he was initially supportive of Armenian Genocide legislation, but later voted against the measure, acknowledging the genocide but citing Turkey's close alliance to the U.S.
All of this information - in greater detail - is posted on the ANCA website - https://anca.org/anca-presidential-candidate-overview-2016/ - for all to review as they prepare to cast ballots on November 8th.
This has been, by all accounts, an unprecedented presidential election cycle, with many voters across the U.S. frustrated with the process, the candidates, and the lack of serious and detailed attention to the public policy issues facing the nation.
“We have, in this environment, seen a particularly robust focus by the Armenian American community on U.S. Senate and House elections, as well as state and local races. The ANCA has endorsed over 120 candidates for Congress, from over 30 states - the widest range of endorsements we have ever issued. That is a direct result of the expansion of Armenian American grassroots advocacy in states like Colorado, Washington, Utah, Idaho, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, the Carolinas among many others, where we have growing constituencies who are making their voices heard in support Armenian American issues,” Ms Chouldjian said.
“On November 8th, with so much of the world focusing on the presidential election results, we will also be closely tracking Senate and House races, with an eye toward our continued efforts to advance Armenian American priorities on Artsakh, Armenia and the Armenian Genocide. We look forward to the return of many friends - Republican and Democrat - such as Republican Senator Mark Kirk and Representative Bob Dold from Illinois, and Democrats like Senate Candidate Chris Van Hollen from Maryland and Central Valley, California's Rep. Jim Costa and David Valadao.
“We have, of course, three Armenian Americans running for U.S. House - Representatives Anna Eshoo and Jackie Speier from California, who are seeking re-election, and Danny Tarkanian who is running for an open House seat in the Nevada's 3rd District. Overall, there are 17 Armenian Americans running for various positions on the federal, state and local level,” she added.
Elizabeth S. Chouldjian, Communications Director, ANCA Washington, DC Office Staff
The ANCA has chosen not to endorse in the Presidential elections in 2016.
“After a careful review by ANCA stakeholders at the national, regional, and local levels, we concluded that neither candidate earned our endorsement for their support on policy priorities of special concern to our community, notably freedom for Artsakh, justice for the Armenian Genocide, and stronger US-Armenia relations.
“Since announcing that decision, we have heard from community members from across the political spectrum - with the overwhelming majority supporting our position and a handful of energetic voices on both sides wishing that we had backed their preferred candidate.
“We respect the fact that Americans of Armenian origin - and, for that matter, of any heritage - reflecting the broad diversity of American life, weigh a variety of factors when deciding which candidates to support. With this in mind, we offer reliable information about candidates and our carefully considered recommendations to help inform pro-Armenian voters, who thoughtfully factor Armenian issues into the diverse set of domestic and foreign priorities that hold meaning for them and their families,” Ms Chouldjian concluded.
Videos
Interview with Francis Malige, EBRD Managing Director
Armenians Commemorating 106th Anniversary of Genocide
Biden Under Pressure to Recognize Armenian Genocide - KTLA 5 News
Governance and Oversight Capacities Account for Our Bank's Robust Management System - Philip Lynch, Independent Board Member at Ameriabank
'Mr. President, It Is Now in Your Power to Right Decades of Denial' - US Congressman Adam Schiff Urges Joe Biden to Recognize Armenian Genocide
Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in Despair After Trauma of Military Defeat - France 24
Interview with Kakhaber Kiknavelidze, an Independent Member of Ameriabank Board of Directors
Only Terrorists Keep Hostages, Putting Forward Preconditions for Their Release - Edmon Marukyan
Rep Adam Schiff Says Congress Should Recognize Artsakh
UN's Guterres Issues Global Appeal to Make 2021 'Year of Healing'
NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Landing Animations
Azerbaijan Uses Prohibited Phosphorus Chemical Munitions - Defense Army Video
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Arms Supplies
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Drone
Nagorno-Karabakh's Status Has Been At the Heart of Our Approach - Zohrab Mnatsakanyan
Artsakh Defense Army Releases Video Featuring Damaged Azerbaijani Military Equipment
Artsakh Defense Army Units Inflicting Manpower Losses on Azerbaijan
Gas Pipeline Damaged in Azerbaijani Fire Targeting Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital
President Armen Sarkissian Meets Emmanuel Macron at Élysée Palace
Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizes Azerbaijani Military Hardware
Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Military Infrastructures
President Armen Sarkissian Meets with NATO Secretary-General in Brussels
Buildings and Homes Lying in Ruins in Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital After Azerbaijani Shelling
Artsakh Defense Army's Precision Fire Gives Deadly Blow to Enemy
Artsakh Defense Army Units Destroying Azerbaijani Tank
Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: Ceasefire Does not Mandate Azerbaijan to Kill Civilians and Hit Civilian Settlements
Armenians Protest Outside Turkrish Embassy in Los Angeles
Losses in Azerbaijan's Military Featured in Defense Army Footage
Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizing Adversary's Transport Column
Turkey openly backs Azerbaijan 'far more aggressively than in the past' - ABC News on Syrian mercenaries fighting in Karabakh
Iconic Armenian Church Hit in Azerbaijani Attacks in Nagorno-Karabakh City (photos)
Artsakh Defense Army Continues High-Precision Strikes
War Situation in Karabakh on European Parliament's Agenda
Call for Urgent Action: Armenian Journalist Brings Intn'l Colleagues' Attention to Situation iin Artsakh After Azerbaijani Attacks
Turkey's Support to Syrian Mercenaries Fighting Against Artsakh: Facts About Azerbaijani Aggression
Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital Under Azerbaijani Strikes
Armenian Armed Forces Neutralize Azerbaijani Defense Positions
ArmenianTroops Destroy Azerbaijani Armored Fighting Vehicle on Frontline
There is a solid evidence that Azerbaijan has launched a thoroughly planned attack on the NKR
EU calls for Immediate End to Hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh
- 15:20 • 24.05.21 Interview with Francis Malige, EBRD Managing Director
- 11:39 • 24.04.21 Armenians Commemorating 106th Anniversary of Genocide
- 09:40 • 23.04.21 Biden Under Pressure to Recognize Armenian Genocide - KTLA 5 News
- 15:34 • 22.04.21 Governance and Oversight Capacities Account for Our Bank's Robust Management System - Philip Lynch, Independent Board Member at Ameriabank
- 14:09 • 21.04.21 'Mr. President, It Is Now in Your Power to Right Decades of Denial' - US Congressman Adam Schiff Urges Joe Biden to Recognize Armenian Genocide
- 12:37 • 03.04.21 Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh in Despair After Trauma of Military Defeat - France 24
- 17:33 • 11.03.21 Interview with Kakhaber Kiknavelidze, an Independent Member of Ameriabank Board of Directors
- 17:57 • 26.01.21 Only Terrorists Keep Hostages, Putting Forward Preconditions for Their Release - Edmon Marukyan
- 13:33 • 22.01.21 Rep Adam Schiff Says Congress Should Recognize Artsakh
- 09:42 • 29.12.20 UN's Guterres Issues Global Appeal to Make 2021 'Year of Healing'
- 18:41 • 24.12.20 NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Landing Animations
- 13:33 • 31.10.20 Azerbaijan Uses Prohibited Phosphorus Chemical Munitions - Defense Army Video
- 16:37 • 30.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Arms Supplies
- 11:25 • 28.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Drone
- 13:45 • 24.10.20 Nagorno-Karabakh's Status Has Been At the Heart of Our Approach - Zohrab Mnatsakanyan
- 11:51 • 24.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Releases Video Featuring Damaged Azerbaijani Military Equipment
- 11:40 • 24.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Inflicting Manpower Losses on Azerbaijan
- 10:39 • 24.10.20 Gas Pipeline Damaged in Azerbaijani Fire Targeting Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital
- 12:41 • 23.10.20 President Armen Sarkissian Meets Emmanuel Macron at Élysée Palace
- 12:16 • 23.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizes Azerbaijani Military Hardware
- 12:02 • 22.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Neutralizing Azerbaijani Military Infrastructures
- 10:35 • 22.10.20 President Armen Sarkissian Meets with NATO Secretary-General in Brussels
- 10:51 • 17.10.20 Buildings and Homes Lying in Ruins in Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital After Azerbaijani Shelling
- 15:09 • 15.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army's Precision Fire Gives Deadly Blow to Enemy
- 13:13 • 13.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Units Destroying Azerbaijani Tank
- 12:56 • 12.10.20 Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: Ceasefire Does not Mandate Azerbaijan to Kill Civilians and Hit Civilian Settlements
- 12:23 • 12.10.20 Armenians Protest Outside Turkrish Embassy in Los Angeles
- 17:23 • 09.10.20 Losses in Azerbaijan's Military Featured in Defense Army Footage
- 15:53 • 09.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Neutralizing Adversary's Transport Column
- 14:11 • 09.10.20 Turkey openly backs Azerbaijan 'far more aggressively than in the past' - ABC News on Syrian mercenaries fighting in Karabakh
- 15:52 • 08.10.20 Iconic Armenian Church Hit in Azerbaijani Attacks in Nagorno-Karabakh City (photos)
- 10:57 • 08.10.20 Artsakh Defense Army Continues High-Precision Strikes
- 14:24 • 07.10.20 War Situation in Karabakh on European Parliament's Agenda
- 19:31 • 05.10.20 Call for Urgent Action: Armenian Journalist Brings Intn'l Colleagues' Attention to Situation iin Artsakh After Azerbaijani Attacks
- 16:17 • 04.10.20 Turkey's Support to Syrian Mercenaries Fighting Against Artsakh: Facts About Azerbaijani Aggression
- 12:39 • 04.10.20 Nagorno-Karabakh's Capital Under Azerbaijani Strikes
- 13:49 • 03.10.20 Armenian Armed Forces Neutralize Azerbaijani Defense Positions
- 10:12 • 29.09.20 ArmenianTroops Destroy Azerbaijani Armored Fighting Vehicle on Frontline
- 23:42 • 28.09.20 There is a solid evidence that Azerbaijan has launched a thoroughly planned attack on the NKR
- 18:45 • 28.09.20 EU calls for Immediate End to Hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh
Most popular articles Today Yesterday For a week
-
Event 15:22 • 26/03 “START+”: “Kinodaran” without subscription fee, 10 GB internet, 1000 minutes and favorite apps without any limits To mention, the subscribers to “START+” tariff plan use “Kinodaran” with no subscription fee, and when using the favorite top applications, the main Internet-package is not consumed.
-
Event 10:38 • 26/03 Ucom Launches Network Modernization Efforts in Regions of Armenia With the first batch from planned shipments of this year Ucom received an up-to-date systems and radio modules from Nokia. These up-to-date modules will be utilized to modernize a portion of Ucom’s regional sites enhancing coverage in those areas and extending LTE technology.
Event
-
10:38 • 26.03.24 Ucom Launches Network Modernization Efforts in Regions of Armenia