vote44?

Matt Lehitka is founder of vote44, which aims to motivate the more than 1/2 million Americans currently living in Europe to vote against George W. Bush winning a second term in office.

With one global superpower, the result affects everybody.

Here’s an extract from Harald Neuber, who compares Bush-Kerry as similar to the choice the French had between Chirac-Le Pen.

Q: vote44 is particularly directed against George W. Bush. Who is this initiative for?

Lehitka: The name vote44 refers to a new president, the 44th president of the United States. Although our initiative is directed against Bush, it is not a pro-Kerry campaign. We consider our commitment in Europe important, because the outcome of the US presidential election in November will directly affect Europe.

Q: What impact can the votes of Americans living abroad have on the presidential election?

Lehitka: That a new president is elected. According to official data, the last presidential election at the end of 2000 was decided by a lead of less than 500 votes. This time, we want to gain at least 200,000 votes against George W. Bush and for democracy.

Q: Would the political climate be different if John Kerry were president?

Lehitka: Actually his scope for change would be limited. Two consequences of Republican politics are that the budget coffers are empty and that taxes are substantially lower. If Kerry were elected, saving measures would still be an issue. However, despite our critical attitude we should not follow Bush and pre-emptively condemn Kerry. After all, indications bode well that he will again move towards a transatlantic alliance. He is politically more enlightened with respect to domestic affairs.

Q: ... So you are for Kerry then?

Lehitka: Our political position is similar to that of many of the voters during the last ballot in France. In the end, the choice was between the conservative Jaques Chirac or the fascist Jean-Marie Le Pen. At that time, 80 percent of the voters decided for Chirac, but in actuality voted against Le Pen.

Q: What political goals do American Voices Abroad (AVA) and the StreetVoiceGroup have as initiators of the vote44 campaign?

Lehitka: Both organizations are particularly concerned with political enlightenment. It is also quite possible that from this short-term campaign a long-term network will evolve.

Q: With the so-called war on terror in the USA, a broad political movement against the policies of the Bush Administration has also arisen. Does that not offer a good basis for long-term, political activism?

Lehitka: Sure, the mood within the population was also decisive for our initiative. Both in Europe and in the United States, people said over and over again: "We really should do something". My impression was, however, that nobody was seizing initiative. Especially in the USA where, despite good intentions, many people have been hesitant to take an active role. For this reason, we have the following message: People, we all want the same thing. If there is a large demonstration, everyone take part. A central idea of vote44 is to bring people together, because together, we are strong.

Q: The so-called war on terror has also promoted a repressive climate within the United States. Do you hope that through your initiative in Europe to also provide new impetus for the political opposition against the Bush Administration in the United States?

Lehitka: Yes, of course. We see ourselves as an equally European and American network. We are not against the people. Our protest is directed against current politics, because here in Europe, we are scared that with the next preemptive strike, Washington will drop an atomic bomb. If, with all of his lies Bush wins the election this November then that would almost be an invitation for further escalation. The anxiety exists on both sides of the Atlantic. I have a child and carry the responsibility for her future.

See the site here: vote44