Obama Bridge Project

On June 22, a group of enthusiastic Democrats Abroad Thailand members gathered at the Phra Sumen Fort park on Phra Arthit Road to take a photo for the Obama Bridge Project, an effort launched by Democrats Abroad around the world to take photos to show that we believe that Sen. Barack Obama will be a bridge to build understanding between America and the world, re-building the links that have been so profoundly damaged by the destructive foreign policies of George W. Bush. Other Obama Bridge photos from countries around the world can be found at this link:

The photos will be assembled into a book by Democrats Abroad and presented to Barack and Michelle Obama at the Democrat National Convention in August. Thanks from Democrats Abroad Thailand go to our volunteer professional photographer, Sikarin "Fon" Thanachaiary, who took these snaps!

Unity and Moving Forward

The note below was posted on the Democrats Abroad list-serve by Margo Miller, who was one of the leading proponents of Hillary Clinton among Democrats Abroad. The Democrats will unite behind Obama, and defeat McCain!

Posted by: "Margo Miller" margodmiller89 "at" yahoo.co.uk

Friday, June 13, 2008

It’s time to put a Democrat back in the White House! We’ve all given so much to our respective candidates over the past months and now it is time to do all we can, in the words of Hillary Clinton, to “elect Barack Obama the next President of the United States.”

This has been a tough week for Hillary supporters. Eighteen million of us across America and around the globe worked so hard for her and never gave up on her candidacy or the issues she has fought for her entire life. Thank you to all her supporters within Democrats Abroad who worked so hard in trying times.

We will vote for Barack Obama and we will do all we can to see him elected as the next President of the United States. For some of her supporters, it will take some time to come around and respect from early Obama supporters will go a long way to help. We come at his candidacy from a very different place from his early supporters. We are supporting him because we care deeply about the issues and on the issues they agree on virtually everything of substance.

Over the coming months, I will continue to do all I can to get out the vote from abroad – letting every American I find know they have the right to vote, their vote gets counted, their vote can make the difference, and all they have to do is go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org. I also will be in close contact with the fabulous Hillary supporters I have gotten to know over the past year and help them through this difficult time and remind them why they were supporting Hillary and why for those very reasons they should now support Barack Obama. I am here as a resource to the Obama campaign and to all of you to help in outreach to Hillary supporters, both those who have already enthusiastically embraced Barack Obama’s candidacy and those who are still coming around more slowly.

Together we can take back the White House and see a larger Democratic majority in the House and Senate. Thank you for all you are doing!

All the best, Margo Miller

DA Thailand Spreading the News to Laos

On May 10, I went to Vientiane, Lao PDR to discuss with Americans there about getting involved in the Democrats Abroad and seeking support for a DAT Northeast Thailand chapter, and also ultimately -- at the right time -- organizing a DA Laos chapter. Mike Carroll did a tremendous job of organizing attendance, and Carol Cassidy opened up her lovely home and held a great party for approximately 15 or so Americans who came by to talk and snack on the amazing food Carol had laid out for the event, and enjoy an evening of American style politics. I gave a speech, as did Robert van den Bosch, who had recently been working on a US campaign for the House of Representatives. I expect that we will be able to organize the NE Thailand chapter in the next month or two -- we have a good core of supporters in and around Udon Thani, and the group in Vientiane.

Here are some photos from the event -- note the amazing fabrics that Carol has hanging in her house! Those interested in getting involved with DA Northeast/Esarn and Laos should contact Mike Carroll at mikecar21 "at" yahoo.com

Phil Robertson
Chair, DA Thailand

Statement for Unity -- Senior Democrats Speak Out

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Governors Association Chairman Joe Manchin and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued this joint statement.

"We have come to the end of an exciting primary and caucus process -- the voters have spoken," the statement says. "As the Democratic leaders of the Senate, House of Representatives, the Governors and the Democratic National Committee we commend all of the participants of the 2008 primary process, especially Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, for making this such a transformational election. Because of the enthusiasm our candidates have inspired, our party has brought record numbers of voters to the polls, gained millions of newly registered Democrats and now has advantages in states many thought were difficult to win. We are grateful to the millions of Independents and Republicans who have crossed over to vote for a Democratic candidate for President.

"Democrats must now turn our full attention to the general election. To that end, we are urging all remaining uncommitted super delegates to make their decisions known by Friday of this week so that our party can stand united and begin our march toward reversing the eight years of failed Bush/McCain policies that have weakened our country.

"We once again congratulate all of the candidates for their leadership and dedication to providing this country with a New Direction. We look forward to working with them and with all Democrats to win the White House, congressional seats and state capitals so we can deliver the change the American people deserve and demand."