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Armenian-Americans welcome election of Obama and Biden

A strong showing in Congress but Joe Knollenberg is defeated

by Vincent Lima

Published: Thursday November 06, 2008

Lilit Arvahi, 24, was among the Armenian-Americans in Glendale, Calif., who voted for Barack Obama on Nov. 4. Hilma Shahinian

In an unmistakable call for a new direction for the United States of America, voters on November 4 decisively elected Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden as the next president and vice president of the United States. The winning ticket had firm support in the Armenian-American community, and Armenian-American advocacy groups welcomed the results of the election.

"I have hope that Obama will be the president to bring Armenian issues to the forefront," an Armenian-American voter who identified himself only as Hovhannes told the Armenian Reporter's Lory Tatoulian. (See story.) But, he added, "That is not the only reason why I am voting for him. . . . I want to make sure that this country can get back to fulfilling the promise that it has meant for all of us."

Voters also handed Democrats a larger majority in the Senate and House of Representatives, returning most allies and most adversaries of the Armenian-American agenda to Congress. The most notable change, from an Armenian-American perspective, was the defeat of the co-chair of the House Caucus on Armenian Affairs, Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R.-Mich.)

"The freely given, multiple commitments by candidate Barack Obama on a full range of core Armenian-American issues" energized the community, according to Ross Vartian, executive director of the U.S.-Armenia Public Affairs Committee (USAPAC). "President-elect Obama offers the possibility of a new approach to the South Caucasus that will enhance the security, freedom, and prosperity of all the region's inhabitants. (See the full text of a commentary by Mr. Vartian.)

"Barack Obama's historic victory this week signals to the world that change is indeed coming," Rep. Frank Pallone, co-chair of the House Caucus on Armenian Affairs told the Armenian Reporter. Looking forward to working with the new administration to advance the goals of the Armenian Caucus, Mr. Pallone said he is "confident that the change President-elect Obama envisions will benefit both Armenian-Americans and Armenia."

The Armenian National Committee of America, which endorsed Mr. Obama's candidacy in January - when it was far from clear that he would win his party's nomination, much less the presidency - drew attention to the role of Armenian-American voters in some closely contested states. Armenian-Americans are well represented in the battleground states of Pennsylvania and Florida.

ANCA chairperson Ken Hachikian said, "Armenian Americans in battleground states - organized by an extremely effective and far-reaching Armenians for Obama operation - played a critical role in bringing Armenian-American Democrats, Independents, and a surprisingly large percentage of Republicans to the Obama-Biden ticket on Election Day."

As a presidential hopeful, Mr. Obama issued his first statement on U.S.-Armenia relations in January. In it he promised that as president he would recognize the Genocide, support a settlement of the Karabakh conflict "based upon America's founding commitment to the principles of democracy and self-determination," and continue U.S. support of Armenia's development.

Mr. Obama also spoke out on April 24 and congratulated Armenians on Armenia's Independence Day. He also participated in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's consideration of the new U.S. ambassador to Armenia.

On the eve of Election Day, the Obama campaign issued yet another statement on Armenian issues. He expanded on his commitment to recognize the Armenian Genocide and to work to end genocide; he also undertook to "continue his active engagement with Armenian American leaders."

Rep. Knollenberg

The departure of Mr. Knollenberg from the House of Representatives in January will mark the end of a distinguished 16-year Congressional career. Mr. Knollenberg, who "served his district well," as the Detroit News acknowledged in an editorial this week, was a hard-working and consistent advocate for Armenian-American issues in Congress.

"Joe Knollenberg has been one of Armenia's biggest supporters on the House Appropriations Committee," Mr. Pallone said. "Every year, he successfully fought the Bush administration to increase funding to Armenia.  He was also a tireless advocate on behalf of genocide recognition.  I have enjoyed co-chairing the Caucus with Joe over the last 16 years and wish him nothing but the best in his future pursuits."

A new Republican co-chair for the Armenian Caucus will be selected in the coming weeks.

[Emil Sanamyan contributed reporting to this article.]