Speeches and Articles by Former Consul General James R. Keith

Remarks by U.S. Consul General James R. Keith
Election Central 2004

Ritz Carlton Hotel, Hong Kong
November 3, 2004

It's so good to get together again. It's been -- it seems -- an eon since we last saw each other for the debate that we put on between the Republicans Abroad and the Democrats Abroad, which was another very successful event. I'm very pleased to have an opportunity to do this again.

I also want to join you in thanking our sponsors for making this possible today. It's the worst possible moment, I suppose, for me to be standing on stage because not only am I without the right words to announce -- because we're not there yet -- but also I'm competing with people who are telling you what you really want to know. So I'll get off the stage shortly.

I just wanted to have an opportunity to come together and say something to all of you who are assembled and who have taken the time to come here today, not just at this moment but throughout the day. As many of you know, we've had this operation going since 7:00 a.m. this morning. Many thanks to all the volunteers who have made that possible.

It says an awful lot about the vibrancy of our support for the American democratic system that Americans in Hong Kong have been so evident here today and throughout this period in the run up to the campaign. Many of you may have seen a piece that George Will wrote for the Washington Post for Election Day -- on Election Day according to Eastern Standard time, anyway, in the United States. He headlined that piece, "No matter what happens, relax." And he then went on -- perhaps you are familiar with his style -- he did a quick review of history and how it has been clear over our history that we've had presidents who didn't win more than fifty percent of the popular vote. We've had presidents who have been one-term presidents and some two-term presidents, but that hasn't been the norm. He explained how we've been through very close elections over the years and gave some examples.

The only thing I would add, or alter, in George Will's presentation for purposes of this session is: Essentially, no matter what happens, unite. I think all of us agree, whether you're from the battleground states and using your absentee ballot in Florida or Pennsylvania or Ohio. I know all of our senior leaders on both sides of the aisle, those who are in elected positions, those people who are in appointed positions -- everyone agrees that what we need to do after today is over is, during a time of war and when we are all challenged considerably by so many different issues in the United States, both foreign and domestic, we need to come together as a country.

I feel great confidence that either of our leaders who is elected when the American people speak will have an opportunity to focus on precisely those steps that are necessary after the election to bring us back together. I think this kind of a session that we are going through here in Hong Kong in the run-up to the announcement that we hope will come before you all have to leave this room -- although I can't guarantee it, and I think the clock is ticking, so we're getting pretty close to not being able to deliver on that -- but I think everyone will join in and wishing for the best possible outcome, which is a clear cut win for democracy in the United States, regardless of who the person is who wins the election.

So, again, I'll let you get back to focusing on what you really want to hear, that is, what is coming through CNN. Again, I want to thank the League of Women Voters. I'd like to thank the Democrats Abroad, the Republicans Abroad, and all those groups that have been so helpful to us in the run-up to this decisive moment. I simply encourage you to enjoy the last few minutes we have available here in this room. Certainly, if you have any questions or comments, anything you want to talk about, please be in touch with the Consulate.

Thank you very much.