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Asia keeps close eye on US presidential race
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-10-01 14:13

The US presidential debate flashed across Friday morning TV screens in Asia, where commuters caught parts of it on outdoor displays or in cafes.

For auditor Rob Liew, who watched the debate between President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry while sipping coffee in Singapore, it was clear who the winner was.

``I don't think President Bush did such a good job on the issues, he seemed to waver,'' said Liew, a critic of the US-led invasion of Iraq.

Thousands of miles away in Tokyo, salesman Yasuyoshi Eguchi was just as certain about who ought to be US president.

``The ties between Japan and the United States got better after Bush took office,'' said Eguchi, who hadn't yet heard the debate. ``I think Bush is more suitable for the job.''

Interest in the US race is high in Asia, where several countries - Japan, South Korea and Singapore among them - support the US policy in Iraq.

TV stations such as Singapore's Channel NewsAsia carried the whole debate with commentary, and China sent five professors to attend the debate to learn more about American politics.

But with the election still a month away, other things were still on people's minds: in Japan, news of the debate was the second item on the morning news - behind Seattle Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki's quest for the record of hits in a season.

Direct government reaction was also muted, with officials saying the race was a matter for the US people to decide.

Thai government spokesman Jakrapob Penkair declined to comment specifically about the debate, but said: ``To us the difference between the two candidates is in the details and how to get things done, rather than the grand strategy.''

``We don't expect drastic changes no matter the election results,'' he said.

China hasn't commented on the US presidential race either.

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