Comments on: Armenia: U.S.-Born Politician Endorses Former President in Elections http://blogian.hayastan.com/2008/02/12/armenia-us-born-politician-endorses-former-president-in-elections/ Fri, 26 Nov 2010 05:30:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Onnik Krikorian http://blogian.hayastan.com/2008/02/12/armenia-us-born-politician-endorses-former-president-in-elections/comment-page-1/#comment-1117 Onnik Krikorian Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:17:53 +0000 http://blogian.hayastan.com/2008/02/12/armenia-us-born-politician-endorses-former-president-in-elections/#comment-1117 Simon, it's important to note that the decision was made by Heritage and not Hovannisian on his own. Indeed, according to RFE/RL's report it is not said whether Hovannisian voted for Ter-Petrossian or not. Moreover, he "declined" to attend the press conference the day after the decision was made. However, in my opinion, that's how it should be. Whether people support Ter-Petrossian or not, Heritage made a decision based on a democratic show of hands and long deliberation. I wouldn't vote for Ter-Petrossian either although Heritage's endorsement goes a long way in settling some doubts and concerns I have about his candidacy and the team around him. On the other hand, I also agree with you. Endorsement by Heritage might give Ter-Petrossian some much needed credibility with wavering or undecided voters. However, of two that I know well, one will be happy about the decision and the other won't be. Indeed, the first says she will reluctantly vote for Levon to stop Serge coming to power, while the other says he will reluctantly vote for Serge to stop Levon returning. Actually, he also added recently that he's deeply disappointed by Hovannisian although as we don't know whether he supported the move or not, that's a little unfair. Regardless, if he did vote against or abstain, I think its credit to him for allowing those senior in his party to decide rather than do what most "leaders" do here which is dictate. Anyway, it remains to be seen how this will affect the vote because in 2003 Hovannisian's involvement in street protests didn't achieve anything, and nor did his protest after the 2005 referendum. Of course, the situation is different now, but the main point is that while this has the possibility to bolster Ter-Petrossian's chances we don't know for sure. Moreover, a more pressing question for me is whether Hovannisian will join Ter-Petrossian on the podium at Saturday's rally or will it be other members of Heritage. This really is something to wait for to see. Anyway. Simon, it’s important to note that the decision was made by Heritage and not Hovannisian on his own. Indeed, according to RFE/RL’s report it is not said whether Hovannisian voted for Ter-Petrossian or not. Moreover, he “declined” to attend the press conference the day after the decision was made.

However, in my opinion, that’s how it should be. Whether people support Ter-Petrossian or not, Heritage made a decision based on a democratic show of hands and long deliberation. I wouldn’t vote for Ter-Petrossian either although Heritage’s endorsement goes a long way in settling some doubts and concerns I have about his candidacy and the team around him.

On the other hand, I also agree with you. Endorsement by Heritage might give Ter-Petrossian some much needed credibility with wavering or undecided voters. However, of two that I know well, one will be happy about the decision and the other won’t be. Indeed, the first says she will reluctantly vote for Levon to stop Serge coming to power, while the other says he will reluctantly vote for Serge to stop Levon returning.

Actually, he also added recently that he’s deeply disappointed by Hovannisian although as we don’t know whether he supported the move or not, that’s a little unfair. Regardless, if he did vote against or abstain, I think its credit to him for allowing those senior in his party to decide rather than do what most “leaders” do here which is dictate.

Anyway, it remains to be seen how this will affect the vote because in 2003 Hovannisian’s involvement in street protests didn’t achieve anything, and nor did his protest after the 2005 referendum. Of course, the situation is different now, but the main point is that while this has the possibility to bolster Ter-Petrossian’s chances we don’t know for sure.

Moreover, a more pressing question for me is whether Hovannisian will join Ter-Petrossian on the podium at Saturday’s rally or will it be other members of Heritage. This really is something to wait for to see. Anyway.

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