Since we're now 13 hours ahead of EST in Malaysia, the election returns started coming in right at about 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning. As a result, the American Embassy had booked a large ballroom right downtown at the classy Renaissance Hotel to host a "U.S. Election Party" especially for other embassies as well as business leaders in Kuala Lumpur. A large-screen TV was high above the stage, and a smaller TV had a row of chairs in front of it for the more dedicated. Both were tuned-in to CNN International. A select group of Americans were invited to the event, the ISKL advanced placement U.S. History classes were there, and I had volunteered with the American Assn. of Malaysia to be on site to answer questions about U.S. politics.
So, when I arrived, I was outfitted with a crazy "Uncle Sam hat" that would designate me as someone who might be able to answer questions! It was fascinating talking to people from many different nationalities and fielding questions about U.S. politics. Not long after 9:00 a.m. Pennsylvania was announced for Obama and sometime later, Ohio. So, by that time the election was pretty-well over.
U.S. Ambas-sador Keith was present from 9:00 a.m. until Noon and spoke briefly to the group. Catered food was in abundance, along with tea and coffee. The whole ballroom was elaborately decorated with red-white-and-blue. A "mock election" was even held, with the only rule being that no Americans could vote! Out of 200+ votes cast, 88% went to Obama! - rw
Since we're now 13 hours ahead of EST in Malaysia, the election returns started coming in right at about 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning. As a result, the American Embassy had booked a large ballroom right downtown at the classy Renaissance Hotel to host a "U.S. Election Party" especially for other embassies as well as business leaders in Kuala Lumpur. A large-screen TV was high above the stage, and a smaller TV had a row of chairs in front of it for the more dedicated. Both were tuned-in to CNN International. A select group of Americans were invited to the event, the ISKL advanced placement U.S. History classes were there, and I had volunteered with the American Assn. of Malaysia to be on site to answer questions about U.S. politics. 
So, when I arrived, I was outfitted with a crazy "Uncle Sam hat" that would designate me as someone who might be able to answer questions! It was fascinating talking to people from many different nationalities and fielding questions about U.S. politics. Not long after 9:00 a.m. Pennsylvania was announced for Obama and sometime later, Ohio. So, by that time the election was pretty-well over.
U.S. Ambas-sador Keith was present from 9:00 a.m. until Noon and spoke briefly to the group. Catered food was in abundance, along with tea and coffee. The whole ballroom was elaborately decorated with red-white-and-blue. A "mock election" was even held, with the only rule being that no Americans could vote! Out of 200+ votes cast, 88% went to Obama! - rw
1 comment:
What a heroic job done by Uncle Sam's helper. And a hat for the ages!
And what a great election!
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