AMBASSADOR Robert Holmes Tuttle

Speeches, Remarks & Events

04 March 2008
Transcript of webchat with Ambassador Tuttle about the U.S. 2008 Presidential Elections

U.S. Embassy London:  Welcome to our webchat ! Ambassador Tuttle is online now to answer your questions

Dilshod2: Hello! I knew a little about elections in USA! So After elections what President Mr.Bush will do? Becouse he hasn't name in elections in this time! Maybe B. Obama or Clinton win but Mr.Bush? Can he stay one more time like president after 4 years?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:  Under the 22nd amendment of our Constitution, ratified in 1951, a president may serve for only two terms - 8 years. Our first president, George Washington, refused to consider running for a third term, and it remained the tradition that presidents served only two terms until Franklin Roosevelt was elected to the office four times! (He died shortly after his 4th inauguration, but served 12 years, 39 days. Roosevelt was the first and only president to be elected more than twice.) So, President Bush will return to the private sector in January 2009, on the inauguration of his successor. He will certainly begin work on his presidential library, which will be located on the SMU campus in Dallas. As other presidents have done, he might write a book on his experiences as president and travel, doing speaking engagements.

Marco Heri. I: Is there democracy in this world?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   A big and controversial question! I am an optimist and pleased to report that, according to American NGO Freedom House, there were a dozen democracies at the end of World War II; there are over 150 today.

Kuba: Sir, Why this election goes for 1 year? As you know, parliamentary systems aroung the world will announce...cinduct..and complete election in weeks or months. US system is too long. How do you respond?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   Yes, our system is very different and much more complex than most of the world's parliamentary systems. I suspect there will be some efforts in the next Congress to shorten the time for our presidential primaries.

Katy: When a presidental candidate makes a comment (or takes an action) that is insulting (or patently against) an American ally ( e.g., Canada, Kenya), who apologizes, and how?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   Katy, as you know, freedom of speech is a hallmark of the American system, and comments by any presidential candidate are the responsibility of that candidate.

Kuba: Sir, Will US continue to be 2-parties system for ever? How/why this is? What chance for more political party to rise?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   Kuba, throughout our history, there have been efforts to establish additional parties, but these efforts have been short-lived. However, I suspect that in the future, there will continue to be efforts to establish additional political parties. You should know that although very small, there are a number of existing political parties in addition to the Republicans and Democrats.

Chat Participant: On the D side: Will this prolonged contest work against the Democrats? On the R side: Is a Repubclican candidate a Republican candidate if the party must "hold its nose" when supporting him?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   I do not believe the prolonged contest will work against the Democrats so long as, once the race is over, the losing candidate wholeheartedly supports the winner. Given that the Republican candidate is selected by registered Republican voters, I do not believe one can claim your question has any relevance.

karla_stettner: If today results are to close to call and to define the democrat candidate, do you think there's a risk of a division of the democrat party?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   Karla, If your speculation about today's results is correct, I do not believe there will be a division of the Democratic Party. Ideologically, the two candidates are not far apart, and as either might want to run for president again, the loser will probably not risk dividing the party.

Regina: Hello! I agree on difficulty of adding a third party...but some people just keep coming back. Mr. Nader makes his reappearence. Democrats blame him for loss of Mr Gore in 2000. Can he make a big difference in 2008?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   No, I think Mr. Nader will receive far fewer votes than he did in 2000. It might be known as "Nader fatigue."

Scottie: Mr Tuttle: Depending on the outcome of the election, this may well be the end of your assignment to the UK. Do you have any other plans, such as further public service or will you return to the private sector?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   Scottie, As I probably have another year to serve in this fabulous position, I am concentrating on doing the best job I can right now and not thinking about what I will be doing afterward.

Regina: 2008 is the election of "change" In your opinion, what is the biggest change? Shift of republicans to center? Youth vote? First candidate in women or black population?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   Regina, in my opinion, the biggest news in the primary season will be the nomination of a woman or African-American as the Democratic nominee.

Sophie2: Given the two-term limit on the presidency and a candidate selection process that begins more than a year before the inauguration is it inevitable that the incumbent president spends his final 12 -1 8 months as a lame duck chief executive? And do you see this as having negative consequences, particularly in the sphere of foreign policy?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   Sophie, as you can see from the President's recent activities:

• Authoring the economic stimulus initiative;
• his recent trip to Africa
• a clear indication that he is still fully engaged in the fight against AIDS and the many other problems besetting that continent;
• his visit in the Middle East Peace Process;
• and his visit to the Middle East.

It is clear he will be an active, involved President until January 2009. Regarding the major economies process on energy security and climate change, President Bush's initiative to develop and contribute to a post-Kyoto framework on energy security and climate change by the end of 2008 is also a definite signal that he is not, and does not intend to be, a disengaged, "lame duck" chief executive. Historically, our presidents have worked until their successors' inaugurations in all areas, including foreign policy (Carter - Iran hostages; Reagan - Fourth Summit in Moscow).

Katy: Mr. Ambassador, it's good to see your humor! Do you anticipate that the courts (legal recourse) will play more or a role in elections?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   Katy, the involvement of the courts in the 2000 election was due to the extremely close vote in Florida. It is highly unlikely that this will occur this year.

Bobby: Ambassador - In 2008, for the first time, both a woman and black man stand a good chance of becoming President. Do you think 2008 is a one-off?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   Bobby, no, I believe that in the future, we will see individuals of all races, creeds, and both genders running for president.

Fiedler: Don't you think that the Electoral College system is undemocratic? And does the Electoral College ever actually meet?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   The Electoral College is certainly part of our democratic system. The members of the Electoral College are determined by the votes of each state. On the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, the electors meet in their respective states. During the first week of January, the Congress meets in joint session to count the electoral votes. The gatherings of electors in each state capital, following the general election every four years, are the only meetings of the Electoral College.

Linda2: How important do you see the Hispanic vote being in this election?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   The Hispanic vote will be important in this election. Hispanics are a large and growing segment - currently approximately 15 percent of the U.S. population, with the heaviest concentrations in Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Arizona and California, and they are almost 9 percent of eligible American voters.

AlexT: Dear Mr Ambassador, The most likely candidates from both parties are Senators. Yet, in recent previous elections, a Governor has been the successful candidate. Do you think that a Governor has more appopriate experience for the job ?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   Governors have experience serving as chief executives of their states, while Senators have experience dealing with foreign policy and national issues. The last time we elected a sitting Senator to the presidency was John F. Kennedy in 1960. We have had nominees from the private sector, the military, governors, senators and former members of the House of Representatives.

As it is seen, the US Policy towards Somalia is clear, and the last months there is new policy towards Somaliland, which broke out from Somalia in 1991. Somaliland held Presidential elections, local govermental elections and parliamentary elections, which were fair and free elections, so if Obama Wins the US Election, 08, can he dare to recognize Somaliland? Mohamed Hussein

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   The United States currently engages the Somaliland administration and has provided assistance, for example, to the election efforts you mention in your question. Our policy on recognition of Somaliland is to allow the African Union to first deliberate on the question. We do not want to get ahead of the continental organization on an issue of such importance. The United States continues to engage with the administration in Somaliland on a range of issues, most directly Somaliland's continued progress towards democratization and economic development. In FY 2007, the United States provided a total of 1 million dollars through the International Republican Institute to support training for parliamentarians and other key programs for the municipal and presidential elections in Somaliland.

While we continue to engage with the Somaliland administration, we do believe that the African Union is the most appropriate forum to address the question of recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. We understand that the Somaliland is pursuing bilateral dialogue with the African Union and its member states in this regard. However, as the African Union continues to deliberate on this issue, the United States will continue to engage with all actors throughout Somalia, including Somaliland, to support the return of lasting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. Whether Senator Obama would revise this policy, should he be elected in November, is not something I can answer at this time.

Chat Participant: I do believe that one area in which most world opinion of Mr. Bush is favorable is in the area of AIDS prevention. PEPFAR is something on which the next president could build. However, is it not the priviledge of the incoming president to stop/modify/cancel programs intiated by the previous administration? Is it customary to do so on a wide scale?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   President Bush's PEPFAR program will be one of his greatest legacies. The incoming president has the right to modify or change any program initiated by the previous administration, but given the success of PEPFAR, I doubt that it will be significantly changed.

zoogenk_ivan@yahoo.com: why in USA there only 3 Party allow to participate in election? Isn't that too little? and about the 2008 election, If Barack Obama wins What do you feel to have African American President? and what do you think of each Candidate from both party?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   Any party that wishes to qualify can do so. There are many small parties that have presidential candidates, but they are so small that they receive almost no publicity. I believe the four remaining Democratic and Republican candidates - McCain, Huckabee, Obama and Clinton - are well-qualified to be President of the United States.

AdiNovac: Adrian Novac, Hotnews.ro (Romania) - Mr. Ambassador, In case Mr. Barack Obama will win the presidency, do you think he's going to appoint some republican politicians in his cabinet as Times newspaper suggested (Mr. Hagel as secretary of defense and Mr. Lugar replacing Ms. Rice)? Do you think a democrat-republican cabinet will be able to work properly? Thank you very much!

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   History has shown that, on occasion, presidents have appointed members of the opposing party to their Cabinets - e.g., Norman Mineta, a Democrat, served as President Bush's Secretary of Transportation, and William Cohen, a Republican, served as President Clinton's Secretary of Defense. Each was an effective and loyal Cabinet member. Democrats and Republicans can and do work together in the interests of the country.

Eve2: Mr Tuttle, if Mrs Clinton or Mr Obama should be President in '09 would the other return to being a senator or would the president want to offer them a position in Washington DC?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   You are correct. Whoever fails to get the Democratic nomination will remain in the U.S. Senate. If the new President were to offer that individual a full-time position in the new administration, he or she would be required to resign from the Senate to accept the new President's offer.

karla_stettner: I have the perception that all the candidates proposals are more or less similar because those are the subjects that the polls indicate as important issues,but is there any mechanism to assure that the winning candidate proposals will become the next president policies?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   The individual who becomes the next President must make legislative proposals to Congress, and Congress must approve the proposals for them to become the law of the land. However, there is no requirement that the new President must propose legislation in line with campaign promises.

Bobby: Ambassador - Who do you think John McCain is likely to pick as his running mate? Can you speculate on who Senator McCain might choose as Secretary of State?

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   Bobby, it would be pure guesswork on my part to speculate on who Senator McCain might choose as his running mate and Secretary of State if elected. So, rather than speculate, I'll assure you that there are many qualified individuals for both jobs.

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   We have time for one more question before I have to go.

AdiNovac: Adrian Novac, Hotnews.ro - Mr. Ambassador, do you think we can talk about Obamania in US? Thank you very much!

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   Certainly, Senator Obama is a very charismatic and articulate individual, who has generated a huge following and encouraged a great many individuals (especially young people) who have never before been involved in politics.

Ambassador Robert Tuttle:   Thanks so much for your questions. I've really enjoyed this chat. Before I go, let me introduce our new elections blog on the Embassy website. You can find it at http://www.usembassy.org.uk/politics/ . We welcome your thoughts and questions. I hope you all remain interested in the U.S. elections, and I look forward to chatting with you again soon.

U.S. Embassy London: Additionally, Americans residing in the United Kingdom may find our Absentee Voting page of use. This is found at: http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/scs/voting.html .

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