Former Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith Speeches

Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith's Remarks delivered in Chiscareni, Balti, Cimislia, Cirsova, Ciadir Lunga, Cahul,Straseni, Cornesti, Ungheni and at the Technical University in Chisinau as part of the GET OUT THE VOTE campaign.

May 7, 2003

Mr. President, Ministers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure for me to be with you today. I am always glad to have the chance to meet with you. I would like to talk with you about the upcoming local elections, which will be held on May 25.

We applaud Moldova's great record of free and fair elections. Voting is the most important act for citizens of a democratic country. I hope that each of you will vote in the May elections and also will help ensure that Moldova's impressive reputation continues. The U.S. Embassy does not have a preference for one candidate over another. It is not our place to have a preference in any contest; the future is for you and other Moldovans to decide.

One of the most famous American statesmen, Thomas Jefferson, once said, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." Participating in elections and voting are fundamental elements of this eternal vigilance. Democracy exists only where citizens participate. In a democracy, the government, and especially the local government, is you - but only if you vote.

I recently saw an opinion poll indicating that 75% of Moldovans do not believe that anything they do can affect government decisions. I was very concerned when I saw this statistic. While it is not always easy to influence government decisions, the most direct way is by voting.

In the upcoming elections you will have the opportunity to vote for your mayor, your local council - in other words your village, city, or municipal council - and your raion council. These are the people who are responsible for your schools, for local transport, for road repair, for social assistance, for combating unemployment, and for creating jobs. On May 25, you will have the opportunity to choose what your future will be -- by voting for the people you think will do the best job.

But how do you choose whom to vote for? I thought I might share with you the manner in which I choose the appropriate person. When I vote, I go through three steps. First, I decide what I'm looking for in a candidate. Then, I find out about the candidates. Finally, I sort it all out and decide whom to vote for. I find that deciding what I am looking for in a candidate is the best place to start. I evaluate candidates by the positions they take on issues, and the leadership qualities they have.

When I consider issues connected to the elections, I think about community or local problems that I want people in the local government to address. For example, when I last voted in a local election in the U.S. my city's finances were in disarray. I wanted someone in local government who would set the city's finances straight and who would restore credibility to the office. I was concerned about fiscal responsibility and moral integrity. Those are important issues indeed.

When I consider leadership qualities, I think about the characteristics I want in a mayor or councilperson. Of course I want someone who is intelligent, honest, and has an ability to communicate. But what other qualities are needed for each specific position?

Then, I find out about the candidates. I read everything I can, and I watch the media. If one of the candidates is the incumbent, I look at previous decisions to see his or her stand on issues or effectiveness in the job.

I look at which party or coalition of parties the candidate belongs to. What is the party position on issues?

Sometimes media outlets or various groups will support or "endorse" a certain candidate. I find out what these groups stand for and why they are supporting a particular candidate. It's hard to know if someone will be honest, open, or able to act under pressure if elected. To evaluate the candidates' leadership qualities,

• I look at the candidates' background and their experience. They don't have to have experience in that specific job - if they did no one new would ever be elected! - but I look at what the candidate has done in the past and think about how well prepared they are for the job.
  
• I watch the candidates' campaigns. As I read the materials and watch the campaign develop, I look for insights into each candidate's personality and leadership qualities. I ask myself if the campaign is emphasizing issues or just images. I ask myself if the campaign materials are accurate.

I also try to learn what other people think about the candidates. Usually I ask at least three people, such as neighbors or colleagues, to find out which candidates they support, and why. Their opinions often help to clarify my views. But, I'm careful not to discount my own informed judgment. Once I have collected all the information available, I have to sort it all out, compare all the candidates, and ask myself these final questions:

• Which candidate's view do I agree with most?
  
• Who ran the fairest campaign?
  
• Which candidate demonstrated the most knowledge on the issues?
  
• Which candidate has the leadership qualities I am looking for?

Sometimes it's hard to choose whom to vote for. Sometimes none of the people running have the qualities I want in a leader or view the issues like I do. Other times, all the candidates seem to be good. But, even if the choice is difficult, it is essential to vote.

When you don't vote you allow other people to tell you what your community - what your future - will be like.

Voting is part of Jefferson's "eternal vigilance"; it is our responsibility, as free citizens in democratic countries. I encourage each of you to participate in the upcoming elections. And I encourage each of you to talk to your families, your co-workers, and your friends and remind them how important it is to vote.

It's your vote, and your future.