It’s obviously an appeal to foreigners to influence the outcome of the U.S. election and it obviously favors Kerry (although it doesn’t mention him or Bush by name). If it has any effect at all it would most likely be to move the election results in a direction I would personally prefer. But I can certainly see where people might find it objectionable that non-citizens in foreign countries could be essentially volunteering for a U.S. political campaign. What do you all think of it? Is it ethical? Could it hurt rather than help Kerry (through bad PR in the U.S.)?
I don’t see “an appeal to foreigners to influence the outcome of the U.S. election,” and while I see your point that it’s probably an anti-Bush effort, I’ve got to ask you: how is this any more influential than any other get-out-the-vote campaign? Specifically, how is this worse than the tactic whereby large amounts of petty cash are distributed–by campaign staff members–on election day to hire “organizers” who are then responsible for getting as many people as they can to show up and vote (the tacit acknowledgement being that a large percentage of their fee gets passed on to the voter, along with a strong suggestion to look for a particular name when he’s in the booth).
I agree that this site is probably pro-Kerry, but the spot where you type in your own personal message could easily read:
“Look at these nutters, trying to overthrow your amazingly patriotic and clear-thinking President! You’re an American, too – you should vote Bush and cancel some of these yahoos out. Round up your Yank buddies and tell them, too; then Bush gets elected and Robert’s your mother’s brother! Pip pip, cheerio, God Save The Queen.”
I just don’t really see how it’s all that bad to suggest to an American that he or she take the time to do his or her duty at the polls. Hell, I actively confront every non-voting citizen I meet with my military status, and appeal to their conscience – e.g. “I give up a lot of my rights so that you can vote; the least you can do is give me one or two hours every year, especially this year.”
Besides, the fact of the matter is that foreigners have a vested interest in the outcome of this election. The saying about the US President being the most powerful person in the world has probably never been as true as it is these days.
I don’t think it’ll amount to much, and given that in the last election we found out that snafus and good intentions often allow felons, illegal aliens, and unregistereds to vote anyway, I find it hard to get worked up about it.
I really don’t have a problem with it myself, I’m all for encouraging people to vote, but I thought that some people here might disagree and that it could lead to an interesting debate. So far I’m being proven wrong. Maybe I’m trying to create a debate where there isn’t one!
But I do wonder how some conservative pundits might react to it. I’ve seen some people object to “get out the vote” drives of any kind, let alone ones spearheaded by non-citizens.