Soldiers in Democratic Party Video Making Headlines

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The Democratic Party of American Samoa virtually pledged 11 votes for former Vice President Joe Biden to be the next president of the United States last night at the Democratic National Convention.

Chairman of the American Samoa Democratic Party Leifi Aliitama Sotoa took part in the roll call in a prerecorded video clip filmed at Fatu-ma-Futi (not Utulei Beach).

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The presence of two uniformed soldiers in the video has made the headlines in the national media.

We go to our Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye for that story.

Democrats and Republicans differ sharply in the tone and tenor of their national platforms this week, when it comes to the military.

Democrats give a passing mention to ensuring veterans from the islands have access to “timely and quality health care through the VA.”

Republicans in a reprise of their 2016 platform cite the “patriotism exhibited by our brothers and sisters in the territories…that has often gone unacknowledged.”

But the disparity took an ironic twist Tuesday, when American Samoa’s Democratic delegates flanked by two junior enlisted Army soldiers, cast the territory’s convention nominating votes remotely from American Samoa.

DNC Communications Director Xochitl Hinojosa was asked about the shot…

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Republican Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen was not immediately available to respond, due to the time difference with Washington.

But the episode caused a flurry of reaction and news stories, including one by ABC News that pointed out, US military personnel are “not supposed to participate in political events while in uniform.”

ABC added that “all American military personnel, active duty members and reservists are instructed to remain apolitical during political campaigns.”

The soldiers’ name tags were clearly visible on their uniforms, though their faces were covered by face masks used due to the pandemic.

A defense official told ABCNews that the presence of the two soldiers will raise questions about how they ended up participating during the roll call as the political restrictions remain in place for all active duty and reserve personnel.

It was unclear what Army unit the soldiers belong to. American Samoa does not really have an active duty Army presence, nor a National Guard…but there is a small Army Reserve Center that manages several hundred reservists in the territory.

Here at home, local Democrats watched the convention yesterday at the Tradewinds Hotel lobby and bar.

It was an opportunity to enjoy the convention, an experience that is normally only afforded to the delegates.

Tomorrow from 2pm to 6pm the Democratic Party of American Samoa welcomes all members to DDW in Utulei to watch, Joe Biden, accept the Democratic nomination for President along side his Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

Photo: ABC

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