Tweet
AN EXERCISE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS
EDITORIAL | OCTOBER 24, 2013 1:14 PM
By Edmond Y. Azadian
For months now Peter Koutoujian's name has been on the national stage
for Armenian-Americans and the hopes were quite realistic to see
another Armenian on the Hill come December 15. But those hopes were
dashed when the results of the Democratic primary were announced on
October 15. Seven democrats were seeking to replace Edward Markey in
the Massachusetts Fifth Congressional District. State Sen. Katherine
Clark of Melrose won the primary with 32 percent of the votes in the
24 cities and towns comprising the district, followed by the Middlesex
County Sheriff Koutoujian with 22 percent. His hometown Waltham and
Watertown with a sizable Armenian population did not let him down as
they delivered the votes.
The prospects are very promising for Clark because Democrats outnumber
Republicans in the district.
Koutoujian waged a clean and courageous campaign as did Ms. Clark. The
latter has been a competent candidate who gave a tough run to Mr.
Koutoujian. Armenian voters did not question her competence and
qualifications; their preference was based on the fact that Koutoujian
is more sensitive to the issues most Armenians are concerned with.
When Clark heads to Washington, all voters would still be
well-represented in the Massachusetts' Congressional delegation,
which has often been very supportive of the community's issues.
Besides being Armenian, Koutoujian enjoys an impeccable reputation
as a public servant that had to motivate Armenians and non-Armenian
voters equally.
The outcome of the election should bother the Armenians more than Mr.
Koutoujian himself who will continue serving as the sheriff or he may
set his eyes on Massachusetts Attorney General's position which will
be vacated by Martha Coakley.
As the voter turnout was low it was the most appropriate opportunity
for the Armenian voters to show up in larger numbers at polling
stations. Mr. Koutoujian was proud that in one weekend volunteers
knocked on 16,000 doors. Even if more Armenian doors were open only
3,000-4,000 Armenians are estimated to be registered voters in the
district.
Koutoujian, occupying second place, won 15,290 votes. Even if all
registered Armenian voters showed up at the polls, they still would
account for one-third of the votes, at best.
In terms of fundraising Koutoujian outdid his competitor, raising
$915,000 for his war chest, versus Clark's $855,000. The fundraising
campaign gave the initial indications of a successful ending for
Koutoujian as the voting ratio had more in the general electorate
than among the Armenians.
Armenians boast of having a population of one million in the US,
but if that one million cannot be mobilized as a political force it
will prove to be a political dead weight.
No one can give the exact count of Massachusetts Armenians, but
certainly more than 4,000 could have been registered in the district
to raise a powerful voice to not only elect a candidate of Armenian
extraction, but to be a segment of the population to be courted by
any candidate seeking public office here.
Another problem Armenians have in the US is a lack of long-term
political goals. No plans are in place to groom future candidates and
have them rise through the ranks. The candidates thrust themselves on
the community which adopts them by default. In this case, Koutoujian
was a qualified candidate with a long and deep involvement in many
school, church and social organizations in our community, but there
have been others in the past, who have expected the support of the
community only on the strength of an "ian" in their last names, who
have not really been plugged into any Armenian groups. They did not
care nor participate after their defeats.
We have to also reflect on the role of the Armenian political parties
which trace their roots in the past with an agenda of liberating
their homeland from Ottoman tyranny. Over the years their roles have
evolved to mean the preservation of the Armenian heritage, a task
that merits accolades.
But today many people question the role of the Armenian political
parties. Their logical milieu would have been Armenia, because the
ideology of a political party can be tested in a country where the
parties are supposed to serve.
In the case of Armenia, an anomaly has been created in its political
system, because the traditional parties have been marginalized, for a
number of reasons. One reason is that they are considered transplants
and most importantly, the weaning process from the authoritarian
system has taken its time and toll. In fact, the political parties
are formed around the agendas of oligarchs, warlords or strongmen,
rather than any ideology.
Returning back to host countries where Armenian communities are active,
the political parties can justify their relevance by taking an active
role in the democratic process.
The antiquated framework of political parties has no room for the
emerging generations with a globalized vision. The members of the new
generation either wonder in the wilderness or they become a hazard
to the community's collective goals trying to introduce untested
practices.
Or worse, organizations destined for other roles may be tempted to
fill the vacuum, perils notwithstanding.
Koutoujian's campaign is a classic case study in trying to integrate
into the political system.
One important case which we need to note and celebrate is that
there was no political divisions in the Armenian community, so that
the candidate enjoyed the solid support of the entire community,
especially the ones who came out to knock on doors. They voted and
they became a force to be reckoned with.
Although Koutoujian did not win the race, he has shown a courageous
outlook and he has been gratified by the support he has received.
We Armenians can also consider this campaign a test case to empower
the community for the next challenge.
That may turn an electoral defeat to a prospective victory in the
democratic process.
- See more at:
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2013/10/24/an-exercise-in-the-democratic-process/#sthash.eR4M003O.dpuf
From: Baghdasarian
EDITORIAL | OCTOBER 24, 2013 1:14 PM
By Edmond Y. Azadian
For months now Peter Koutoujian's name has been on the national stage
for Armenian-Americans and the hopes were quite realistic to see
another Armenian on the Hill come December 15. But those hopes were
dashed when the results of the Democratic primary were announced on
October 15. Seven democrats were seeking to replace Edward Markey in
the Massachusetts Fifth Congressional District. State Sen. Katherine
Clark of Melrose won the primary with 32 percent of the votes in the
24 cities and towns comprising the district, followed by the Middlesex
County Sheriff Koutoujian with 22 percent. His hometown Waltham and
Watertown with a sizable Armenian population did not let him down as
they delivered the votes.
The prospects are very promising for Clark because Democrats outnumber
Republicans in the district.
Koutoujian waged a clean and courageous campaign as did Ms. Clark. The
latter has been a competent candidate who gave a tough run to Mr.
Koutoujian. Armenian voters did not question her competence and
qualifications; their preference was based on the fact that Koutoujian
is more sensitive to the issues most Armenians are concerned with.
When Clark heads to Washington, all voters would still be
well-represented in the Massachusetts' Congressional delegation,
which has often been very supportive of the community's issues.
Besides being Armenian, Koutoujian enjoys an impeccable reputation
as a public servant that had to motivate Armenians and non-Armenian
voters equally.
The outcome of the election should bother the Armenians more than Mr.
Koutoujian himself who will continue serving as the sheriff or he may
set his eyes on Massachusetts Attorney General's position which will
be vacated by Martha Coakley.
As the voter turnout was low it was the most appropriate opportunity
for the Armenian voters to show up in larger numbers at polling
stations. Mr. Koutoujian was proud that in one weekend volunteers
knocked on 16,000 doors. Even if more Armenian doors were open only
3,000-4,000 Armenians are estimated to be registered voters in the
district.
Koutoujian, occupying second place, won 15,290 votes. Even if all
registered Armenian voters showed up at the polls, they still would
account for one-third of the votes, at best.
In terms of fundraising Koutoujian outdid his competitor, raising
$915,000 for his war chest, versus Clark's $855,000. The fundraising
campaign gave the initial indications of a successful ending for
Koutoujian as the voting ratio had more in the general electorate
than among the Armenians.
Armenians boast of having a population of one million in the US,
but if that one million cannot be mobilized as a political force it
will prove to be a political dead weight.
No one can give the exact count of Massachusetts Armenians, but
certainly more than 4,000 could have been registered in the district
to raise a powerful voice to not only elect a candidate of Armenian
extraction, but to be a segment of the population to be courted by
any candidate seeking public office here.
Another problem Armenians have in the US is a lack of long-term
political goals. No plans are in place to groom future candidates and
have them rise through the ranks. The candidates thrust themselves on
the community which adopts them by default. In this case, Koutoujian
was a qualified candidate with a long and deep involvement in many
school, church and social organizations in our community, but there
have been others in the past, who have expected the support of the
community only on the strength of an "ian" in their last names, who
have not really been plugged into any Armenian groups. They did not
care nor participate after their defeats.
We have to also reflect on the role of the Armenian political parties
which trace their roots in the past with an agenda of liberating
their homeland from Ottoman tyranny. Over the years their roles have
evolved to mean the preservation of the Armenian heritage, a task
that merits accolades.
But today many people question the role of the Armenian political
parties. Their logical milieu would have been Armenia, because the
ideology of a political party can be tested in a country where the
parties are supposed to serve.
In the case of Armenia, an anomaly has been created in its political
system, because the traditional parties have been marginalized, for a
number of reasons. One reason is that they are considered transplants
and most importantly, the weaning process from the authoritarian
system has taken its time and toll. In fact, the political parties
are formed around the agendas of oligarchs, warlords or strongmen,
rather than any ideology.
Returning back to host countries where Armenian communities are active,
the political parties can justify their relevance by taking an active
role in the democratic process.
The antiquated framework of political parties has no room for the
emerging generations with a globalized vision. The members of the new
generation either wonder in the wilderness or they become a hazard
to the community's collective goals trying to introduce untested
practices.
Or worse, organizations destined for other roles may be tempted to
fill the vacuum, perils notwithstanding.
Koutoujian's campaign is a classic case study in trying to integrate
into the political system.
One important case which we need to note and celebrate is that
there was no political divisions in the Armenian community, so that
the candidate enjoyed the solid support of the entire community,
especially the ones who came out to knock on doors. They voted and
they became a force to be reckoned with.
Although Koutoujian did not win the race, he has shown a courageous
outlook and he has been gratified by the support he has received.
We Armenians can also consider this campaign a test case to empower
the community for the next challenge.
That may turn an electoral defeat to a prospective victory in the
democratic process.
- See more at:
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2013/10/24/an-exercise-in-the-democratic-process/#sthash.eR4M003O.dpuf
From: Baghdasarian