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Glendale News Press, CA
May 13 2012
Krikorian pledges 'to be the voice of American Armenians'
School board member's fiery speech compared to those by Gov. Howard
Dean, Louis Farrakhan.
By Mark Kellam, [email protected]
May 13, 2012
Glendale school board member Greg Krikorian, who is challenging Mike
Gatto for the 43rd Assembly District seat in November, ramped up his
campaign at a recent anti-genocide rally by appealing to the Armenian
American vote with a fiery speech that has since been posted online.
In his address to the crowd, Krikorian spoke in terms that appeared to
limit his appeal to Armenian voters - a strategy used many times by
candidates before him with limited success - by saying it was time to
elect someone who `speaks for us' and that `one of our own represents
our community.'
In his speech outside Glendale Community College, which was posted on
YouTube, Krikorian also pledges `to be the voice of American Armenians
and to be the voice of Glendale - to be in touch with you.'
Krikorian said he tailored his comments - which at times became
excited and touched on the international geo-political trials of
Armenia - for his audience at the candlelight vigil commemorating the
Armenian genocide of 1915.
The 43rd Assembly District includes Glendale, Burbank, Los Feliz and
Silver Lake. With redistricting, the district now also includes La
Caņada Flintridge, Montrose and parts of La Crescenta.
Comments on the YouTube clip included a comparison between Krikorian
and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who as a presidential candidate
saw his appeal sapped by an over-the-top outburst at a campaign rally,
and speeches by Louis Farrakhan, the controversial leader of the
Nation of Islam.
Krikorian acknowledged that people may twist his words or take them
out of context.
`People will throw and try to spin things to wherever they want to
sway,' he said.
But as the November election approaches, Krikorian said he wants to
focus on the challenges he'd tackle if elected, including job
creation, education funding and an anemic state budget.
The YouTube posting cuts off before the speech ends. Krikorian said he
ended his remarks by saying: `As we approach the 236th birthday of the
United States, it's important that we move forward.'
Krikorian said he's spoken in the past at other events, such as those
commemorating Cesar Chavez Day at Pacific Park and Martin Luther King
Jr. in Detroit when he lived in Michigan.
`America is made up of many different ethnicities that are proud of
their heritage,' Krikorian said in a phone interview on Thursday. `But
we immigrated here to lead a better life and help America grow.'
Early in his speech at the vigil, Krikorian spoke of the hollow
promises some politicians make during campaigns.
`We get political rhetoric all the time during the time of elections,' he said.
During the phone interview, he pointed to President Obama, who has yet
to make good on a promise he made during his 2008 campaign to formally
recognize the Armenian genocide.
http://www.glendalenewspress.com/news/tn-gnp-0513-rally-comments-cause-stir,0,1320327.story
From: Baghdasarian
May 13 2012
Krikorian pledges 'to be the voice of American Armenians'
School board member's fiery speech compared to those by Gov. Howard
Dean, Louis Farrakhan.
By Mark Kellam, [email protected]
May 13, 2012
Glendale school board member Greg Krikorian, who is challenging Mike
Gatto for the 43rd Assembly District seat in November, ramped up his
campaign at a recent anti-genocide rally by appealing to the Armenian
American vote with a fiery speech that has since been posted online.
In his address to the crowd, Krikorian spoke in terms that appeared to
limit his appeal to Armenian voters - a strategy used many times by
candidates before him with limited success - by saying it was time to
elect someone who `speaks for us' and that `one of our own represents
our community.'
In his speech outside Glendale Community College, which was posted on
YouTube, Krikorian also pledges `to be the voice of American Armenians
and to be the voice of Glendale - to be in touch with you.'
Krikorian said he tailored his comments - which at times became
excited and touched on the international geo-political trials of
Armenia - for his audience at the candlelight vigil commemorating the
Armenian genocide of 1915.
The 43rd Assembly District includes Glendale, Burbank, Los Feliz and
Silver Lake. With redistricting, the district now also includes La
Caņada Flintridge, Montrose and parts of La Crescenta.
Comments on the YouTube clip included a comparison between Krikorian
and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who as a presidential candidate
saw his appeal sapped by an over-the-top outburst at a campaign rally,
and speeches by Louis Farrakhan, the controversial leader of the
Nation of Islam.
Krikorian acknowledged that people may twist his words or take them
out of context.
`People will throw and try to spin things to wherever they want to
sway,' he said.
But as the November election approaches, Krikorian said he wants to
focus on the challenges he'd tackle if elected, including job
creation, education funding and an anemic state budget.
The YouTube posting cuts off before the speech ends. Krikorian said he
ended his remarks by saying: `As we approach the 236th birthday of the
United States, it's important that we move forward.'
Krikorian said he's spoken in the past at other events, such as those
commemorating Cesar Chavez Day at Pacific Park and Martin Luther King
Jr. in Detroit when he lived in Michigan.
`America is made up of many different ethnicities that are proud of
their heritage,' Krikorian said in a phone interview on Thursday. `But
we immigrated here to lead a better life and help America grow.'
Early in his speech at the vigil, Krikorian spoke of the hollow
promises some politicians make during campaigns.
`We get political rhetoric all the time during the time of elections,' he said.
During the phone interview, he pointed to President Obama, who has yet
to make good on a promise he made during his 2008 campaign to formally
recognize the Armenian genocide.
http://www.glendalenewspress.com/news/tn-gnp-0513-rally-comments-cause-stir,0,1320327.story
From: Baghdasarian