With armed Afghan guards at the gate and a Democrat donkey mascot munching leaves in the shade, dozens of American expatriates held a fundraiser in Kabul on Friday for U.S. presidential hopeful John Kerry. About 60 people, mostly nongovernment aid workers, gathered at a restaurant garden across town from the fortress-like American Embassy, declaring "Kabul for Kerry." "It's important to show that there are Americans everywhere, even in Afghanistan, who want a change of leadership in the United States," said organizer Karen Hirschfeld, who is helping Afghans get ready for this year's national elections. "For the future of Afghanistan, Iraq and America, we need someone with a more rational foreign policy who will work with the international community," said Hirschfeld, from Winchester, Mass. "We think John Kerry will be a good leader." The gathering, open only to Americans, wasn't endorsed by the Kerry campaign, but "Kabul for Kerry" organizers were urging participants to contribute funds to his campaign and to cast absentee ballots for the election against President Bush in November. They pinned Kerry badges on the lapels of participants who paid $10 to cover the cost of the breakfast, and hired "Franklin the Democratic Donkey" from its Afghan owner to serve as the party mascot. | Why not, they have a ass as a candidate |
It's not clear whether Kerry or Bush is favored by the majority of Americans here. None of the thousands of U.S. military personnel based in Afghanistan to hunt for al-Qaida and Taliban rebels turned up for Thursday's event. Organizers said plenty of U.S. Embassy workers had expressed an interest, but were barred from coming for security reasons - although 11 Ministry of Interior guards were deployed at the venue. |