What will the average American voter make of Haiti?

[efhmc]

My reaction is always that bushco lies, probably even even they don't have to. However, I am not an AAV. Do they, will they care and if so what side will they come down on?

[maggrwaggr]

1. they just see a bunch of crazy black people dancing for the "rebels"

and Colin Powell saying it's all well and good.

I doubt your average American could even find Haiti on the map.

[Loonman]

2. The average American voter can't find Canada on a map

Let alone Haiti.

[terryg11]

3. obviously depends on media coverage

I wonder what the democratic candidates have to say on this issue?
If something's rotten here I'm sure Kucinich will bring it up but since the mic's arn't focused on him that won't matter.
Will Kerry and Edwards talk on this? If the Bush administration is actually doing something wrong here couldn't the dems pounce on this and make it an issue?

then why don't they?

[bigtree]

6. Statement from John Kerry on Haiti

February 24, 2004
“The current crisis in Haiti is yet another example of Bush Administration neglect in our own hemisphere. Instead of working to support democratic institutions for the past three years, this Administration has seemed intent on bringing about regime change by encouraging the opposition and cutting off aid from the United States and international financial institutions.

“When the situation on the ground began to degenerate into violence and lawlessness over the past weeks, the Administration stubbornly refused to engage diplomatically. As a result, Haiti is now on the verge of collapsing into a failed state, potentially creating untold hardships for the Haitian people and an enormous influx of refugees on our shores.
More:http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0224i.html
____________________________________________________________________

Statement from John Kerry Calling for Senator Bob Graham to be Named Special Envoy to Haiti
February 26, 2004

“Today I call on President Bush to appoint Senator Bob Graham as a Special Envoy to attempt to resolve the crisis in Haiti. Senator Graham has long been a leader in Florida and in the US Senate on foreign affairs. He knows the situation in Haiti extremely well, and knows the cost that widespread violence will cause not only in Haiti, but on our shores.

“The Bush Administration had only one hope for resolving the crisis in Haiti – an 11th hour proposal that has now been rejected by the opposition leaders. We must take further action now to support the rule of law in Haiti and prevent a widespread humanitarian crisis.
“Appointing Senator Graham as Special Envoy would demonstrate that our commitment to bringing peace, stability and respect for the rule of law to Haiti is genuine. In 1994, President Clinton appointed Colin Powell, former President Jimmy Carter and Senator Sam Nunn to Haiti to a high level delegation to restore democracy to Haiti. Recent events in Haiti have shown that it is past time for this Administration to take similar measures.

More: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0226c.html

[bigtree]

4. They will care as much as we encourage them to.

Don't underestimate the power of advocacy.

[paulk]

5. it might have some impact in places like

Florida and Luisiana, where there are large Haitian populations. Otherwise, probably not making much of an impression. I wonder if any of the Dems will point out how hypocritical the Bush Administration is to promote democracy as a reason to wage war in Iraq while actively working to overthrow it in our own hemishpere?