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Election 2010

Obama 'very interested' in Aussie poll

18:11 AEDT Wed Jul 21 2010
Cathy Alexander
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US President Barack Obama is interested in Australia's election.
US President Barack Obama is interested in Australia's election and is keeping tabs on the campaign.

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US President Barack Obama is interested in Australia's election campaign and is keeping tabs on its progress.

US ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich says he is briefing his boss as the August 21 poll draws nearer.

"Oh yes he's very interested, and that's part of my job is to keep him informed," Mr Bleich told reporters at a space observatory in Canberra.

"This is that time of year in Australia... where it's exciting and there's a lot of adrenaline and a lot of tension in the air."

Mr Obama is facing his own electoral test - the US mid-term elections - in November.

While the presidency is not up for grabs, all lower house seats and some Senate spots are. There is speculation Mr Obama may lose votes in Congress.

Mr Bleich, true to his profession, said the US administration was happy with the way the Australian campaign was going.

"What we have found very heartening is that on critical issues we see both of the major parties... continuing to support important initiatives."

The US was confident the relationship with Australia would stay strong regardless of who won the poll, he said.

Mr Obama will be able to meet the victor - be it Labor's Julia Gillard or the coalition's Tony Abbott - when he is due to visit Australia early next year.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to visit this year.

Australia's relationship with the US has not been an election issue because there is bipartisan support for strong ties with the US and for keeping troops in Afghanistan.

 

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