Houston Chronicle - Americans in Kabul hold Kerry Fundraiser

[Catherine Vincent]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/2646970

KABUL, Afghanistan -- With armed Afghan guards at the gate and a Democrat donkey mascot munching leaves in the shade, dozens of American expatriates held a fundraiser in Kabul today for U.S. presidential hopeful John Kerry.

About 60 people, mostly nongovernment aid workers, gathered at a restaurant garden across town from the fortress-like American Embassy, declaring "Kabul for Kerry."

"It's important to show that there are Americans everywhere, even in Afghanistan, who want a change of leadership in the United States," said organizer Karen Hirschfeld, who is helping Afghans get ready for this year's national elections.

"For the future of Afghanistan, Iraq and America, we need someone with a more rational foreign policy who will work with the international community," said Hirschfeld, from Winchester, Mass. "We think John Kerry will be a good leader."

[merci_me]

1. and in Iraq

Last weekend at the Texas Democratic Convention, a Reservist officer who just returned from Iraq, where he was from March 2003 until this April, addressed the Clark Caucus and told us about a Kerry for President group among the military in Iraq. He said they are a significant number and according to his sources there, they're growing.