Work’s not over, but for now, it’s party time

Barrington Edwards from Chicago, a member of Democrats Abroad ROK, poses next to a cutout of Barack Obama. [AP]

Nicole Fox came to Korea two years ago for what she expected would be a long break from politics.

The 27-year-old from Seattle, Washington, had been a community organizer in her hometown, helping people register to vote.

But Fox, a life-long Democrat, said she was fed up with her work after “years of horrible policies and decisions” under the two-term Republican rule led by George W. Bush.

Her hiatus from politics, however, came to a sudden halt last summer when she fell under the spell of Barack Obama.

Phil Anglade, far right, Kirstie Bromenshenk, second from right, and other members of Democrats Abroad ROK. Photo by Democrats Abroad ROK

With Democrats Abroad ROK (Republic of Korea), a group of American expats, Fox sweated hard to get Obama supporters here registered to vote, and mobilized for victory in the presidential election in November.

Obama was sworn into the American presidency yesterday. The inauguration took place early this morning Korean time.

Fox and scores of other Democrats Abroad marked the historic day with a celebration at a Seoul hotel last night.

“Obama really appealed to me as someone who brings people together,” said Fox, who said she initially supported John Edwards, a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination.

Obama’s interest in women’s rights and the environment, as well as personality traits, like his intellect and thoughtfulness, were further pluses, Fox said.

“Having him as president today, it does give people hope. That is why Obama is wanted,” she said. “This is a huge moment for us.”

More than 50 people, including non-member supporters of the group, attended a celebration buffet at the Millennium Hilton Hotel downtown, according to the group.

The festivities went on through the night, continuing at an Itaewon pub to watch Obama’s inauguration in real time on television, it said.

That he is the first African-American U.S. president, which is what many know about Obama, comes far lower in the list of reasons why they celebrated the day, said other members of the group, including Kirstie Bromenshenk, the chairperson.

“I think he is a president who happens to be African-American, not exactly an African-American president, if you know what I mean,” Bromenshenk said.

“We focus more on his personal merits, like wisdom, leadership and character, rather than the color of his skin.”

Bromenshenk said she is confident that Obama’s merits make him more than an alternative to Bush.

“Only history can tell, but I sincerely believe that he will be one of the best presidents of the United States,” she said.

Phil Anglade, another Democrats Abroad ROK member, is a former U.S. Navy officer who served in Iraq.

Anglade, now a military contractor, said Obama is supported not only by the majority of the general public in the U.S. but by most U.S. military personnel.

“The military has been stretched rather thin over the past 10 years. Many soldiers served two, three or four rotations in Iraq, and Afghanistan already,” he said.

“You should not be continuously stressed in a war zone. It’s good [for soldiers] to be able to get back home,” he said, mentioning Obama’s pledge for early withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from war zones.

Other group members said their work is far from done. They said in order for Obama’s presidency to be successful, they need to stay supportive of him.

“You’ve got to remember that it’s great to be excited, but he has to work all over the world, and he will need our support,” said Barrington Edwards.

By Moon Gwang-lip Staff Reporter [joe@joongang.co.kr]