Скачать или смотреть RUSSIA: PUBLIC COMMENT ON US CANDIDATES

(22 Sep 2000) Russian/Eng/Nat

Russians are being given a say over who they would like to win the forthcoming American elections.

A poll company is conducting a mini "election" to gauge Russian support for both Al Gore and George W Bush.

So far Al Gore is coming out ahead.

Russians are going to the polls.

They're voting for a president - but not a Russian one.

They are actually deciding who they'd like to lead the United States.

Novokom, a polling and PR firm in Russia are conducting a poll on the streets of Moscow and St. Petersburg to find out whether Russians would prefer George W Bush or Al Gore to win the presidency race.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"I chose Bush, of course. I think he is nice. I chose him for the way he looks, I don't know him. I think he's nice, that's all."
SUPERCAPTION: in Russian, Svetlana

Incumbent candidates as a rule have the edge over their running mates and according to Novokom's initial poll results, Gore is ahead.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Because Gore is from the Clinton administration and will continue that course of politics, the politics of friendly relations with Russia."
SUPERCAPTION: Aleksei

Russians may be less informed than U-S voters about Bush or Gore - but they have a strong sense of what the U-S presidential vote means for the global community.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Here, I think that there is a vague sense that who wins has some influence over US-Russian relations and possibly even what happens inside Russia. Most Russians probably feel that the United States is still a very important country vis-a-vis its own interests and that the president of the United States is an important decision not only for the United States to make but will have some impact on the rest of the world, including Russia."
SUPERCAPTION: in English, Alan Rousso, Director of Moscow Carnegie Centre

Novokom hopes at least half a million "voters" will take part in the poll.

But some Russians are sceptical.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"When you chose a foreign president, you do not employ the active form of analysis and common sense you would use if it were your own president. It is a foreign president, a strange man."
SUPERCAPTION: Rudolf

But as with most elections, platforms and issues are not as important as charm and personal appeal.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"What is interesting here, as I think in the case of the United States, the likebility factor is playing a big role in the election. But George Bush wins on the likebility factor. So I think that it is interesting that the Russians on the likebility factor would vote for Gore instead of Bush. So it says something about what their personal tastes may be.
SUPERCAPTION: in English, Alan Rousso, Director of Moscow Carnegie Centre

For Russians who've heard about the poll and have internet access, Novokom has provided a virtual polling station in the net.

Turnout is good and organizers are pleased to see that Russians are just as interested in the United States elections, if not more so, than Americans themselves.

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