Largest Asian-American PAC Endorses Obama

On Saturday the largest Asian-American political action committee, the 80-20 Initiative, formally endorsed Sen. Obama for president. They decided on the endorsement after a day-long convention and discussion among 33 delegates of various ethnicities, ages and party affiliations. The delegates represent a national, nonpartisan organization of 700,000 supporters.

80-20's press release did include a caveat at the very end, to say that if Sen. McCain chose Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana as his running mate, the organization would "view it very helpful in winning equal opportunity for Asian-Americans. In that event, this convention may reconvene" to reconsider its endorsement. But since vice presidential candidates are not yet known, and the 80-20 Initiative did not wish to speculate, leaders encouraged members to fully support Barack Obama, including financial donations to the campaign.

The PAC came to its decision after a three-hour discussion at the Crowne Plaza in Foster City, Calif., on the San Francisco peninsula. The debates centered on how effectively Sens. Obama and McCain would address issues of the Pan-Asian American community. The group specifically focused on equal opportunity in the workplace through the enforcement of Executive Order 11246 of 1965, which outlined laws for equal employment opportunity.

80-20 had sent out questionnaires early in the primary season to all presidential candidates, asking for their written commitment to equal employment opportunities, and to give Asian-American legal professionals equal opportunities to be judges at all levels of the Federal Courts. All the Democratic candidates responded to the questionnaire, but McCain never did.

"I'm very disappointed that John McCain did not respond to our questionnaire," said Victor Lee, a Republican delegate to the endorsement convention. "He didn't say no, but he didn't say anything." Lee said that as a Republican, it was hard to argue for a McCain endorsement at the convention, when McCain simply ignored the group's questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of six questions, and can be found here.

The 80-20 Initiative is a national, nonpartisan group dedicated to the issues of Asian Pacific Americans. Saturday's convention followed group bylaws, under which one-third of the delegates must be Democrats, one-third Republicans and one-third Independents. According to the rules, the group may endorse one, both or none of the major party candidates for president.

The group formed six years ago with the intent of creating a swing voting bloc among Asian Americans. Putting aside political differences to look at this ethnic community's interests as a whole, the goal was for 80 percent of the community to vote for the candidate that the organization would endorse.

On Super Tuesday, the Asian American vote produced a 71-to-25 percent victory for Hillary Clinton in California, where Asian Americans make up more than 12 percent of the population. The 80-20 Initiative had endorsed Clinton before the primary, purely due to the candidates' timing. Clinton had responded to their questionnaire in December, while Obama did not respond until four days before Super Tuesday.

The Obama campaign sent surrogate Ted Lieu, a California assemblyman, to speak at the convention. The campaign also sent a video message from Obama's sister, who is half-Asian. The McCain campaign sent no representative. At the end of the day, all the delegates unified in support, based on what they described as unequivocal commitment from the Obama campaign to better the rights of Asian Americans.

Victor Lee said he would tell Republican friends beyond the Asian community to vote for Obama, because he said he'd like to spread the word and get the candidate in office who can deliver on the promise of giving Asian Americans the opportunities they deserve.

Lee was not the only Republican delegate feeling disappointed in McCain. Charles Zhang, a Republican from Michigan, said of their endorsement, "I know we'll probably pay more taxes. But the most important thing for Asian Americans is equal opportunity and justice...I hope during the next election, the Republican will do more for the Asian American community."

The 80-20 Initiative had even lacked the necessary number of Republican delegates to their endorsement convention initially, filling the last four spots only a week before the event. While Republican delegates bemoaned their own party's candidate, Democrats at the convention were expectedly upbeat. But a unified attitude of determination and full support for Obama eclipsed the usual party tensions .

"We have to separate the emotions from the 'brain' side of it," said Arthur Cheung, an Independent from Mountain View, Calif. Cheung, among the younger delegates present, had stood up in the rounds of introductions earlier and said, "My name is Arthur Cheung. I don't have kids and I'm not married. But I think the work we did here today will affect the future -- for my kids that I will have."

When asked whether issues of the pan-Asian community would trump matters of national security, economy or environment, Cheung let his actions speak for themselves. In 2004, when 80-20 withdrew their initial endorsement of John Kerry, in effect making no endorsement at all, Cheung did not vote in that general election. "Sometimes it's what you identify with. Some people identify with age, some identify with gender -- high on my list is ethnicity."

If these delegates and the other 700,000 members of the 80-20 Initiative follow through in such a fashion, Obama could very well have gained a large percentage of Asian American Republicans in just one day.

Comments

[xandix]

McCain did not participate in the first AAPI Presidential Townhall on May 17th. Both Hillary and Barack participated, with Obama spending the most time and actually interacting live with the AAPI community. McCain was in NY preparing for Saturday Night Live.

McCain recently declined to attend the Unity convention for 7000+ journalists of color (Asian, African American, Hispanic, and Native Americans). Both Kerry and even Bush attended in 2004. McCain has spoken to Hispanic and African American groups. To my knowledge, he has not addressed the Asian community in any way.

What more needs to be said???

[JLee]

The first time I realized how much trouble the McCain campaign was in was when a Korean-American man from California, a Republican, mentioned he was supporting Obama. Granted this was a "California Republican," socially liberal and fiscally conservative, and granted the current Republican party is losing those votes on both counts. Still, McCain was supposed to overcome all that baggage. This was my first personal indication that he had failed.

Reading this article reminds me of that conversation. Asian-Americans can be a pretty conservative bunch, and I know the Korean-American population tends heavily evangelical. (A different breed from the Southern evangelicals, but the denominations are quite evangelical and conservative.) It's also a sad fact that a lot of Koreans, at least the older generation, are rather xenophobic. For me that makes this endorsement all the more meaningful. Obama will pick up votes from beyond the traditional Democratic spectrum, and that realignment will have repercussions for decades beyond this election.

[hanoj]

It's good to see 80-20 finally come on board. I recently wrote a piece in the huffington post also about the AAPI Platform, which was put together by a group of API's from different community organizations in response to Obama's "Listening to America" campaign.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonah-lalas/nationwide-asian-american_b_116831.html

Quick note on Jindal. Unlike Obama who openly discusses his multiracial heritage with pride and goes by his real name "Barack" (no longer "Barry"), Jindal shies away publicly from his heritage and proclaims himself to be the all-American kid. Did you know his real name is Piyush? He adopted the name "Bobby" after Bobby Brady on the great American pastime show The Brady Bunch. 80-20 needs to look at his history and where he stands on the issues, not just the fact that he is South Asian. He has done a lot to rollback medicare, abortion rights, stem-cell research, and stands in line with Bush's war mongering. Also remember the Jena Six? These were the black students who the DA charged with second degree murder fighting with a white student who made racial slurs at them with references to nooses found hanging in a tree. While thousands of African Americans came out in the thousands to protest injustice, Jindal referred to them as outside agitators there to "cause problems." This type of candidate, who fails to recognize racial injustice, will not be good for the API community.

[theone718]

As an Obama supporter I find this troubling. Some of these people are LITERALLY going against their own ideals to vote for someone solely based on one thing. It's a tad bit odd.

[AJTheReverb]

Well when you feel ignored and slighted by a candidate, does he really line up with your ideals?

It's no wonder there are so few black republicans. It's 2008 and they have still made few attempts to reach out.

If you dont court someones vote, you wont get it.

[TrooAmerican]

True. As well though if "theone718" read the article..... the convention was a long discussion and issue presentation. The fact that McCain didnt even acknowledge the PAC IS a big factor, but they still discussed many issues.

One other thing.... The republican that said "i know we'll pay more in taxes but..."
thats a crock.
A) Obama has stated publicly that not only would he keep all of Bush's tax cuts for people making less than 200,000 /yr, but said he would add to them for those making less.
B) he said he'd raise taxes on individuals making more than that. And again.
If you are whining about making more than 200,000k per year and the taxes you owe, I'll be happy to switch places with you economically ANYTIME.

Besides, if he can find ways to lower our cost of living, isnt that the biggest tax on the american people right now?
the Oil companies are Taxing us to death with their profits.

[lovethesinner]

I can't imagine why anyone, but especially Asian-Americans, would support John McCain considering his record of demeaning diverse ethnicities:

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/cont/node/10086

[init]

John McCain is not going to pick Jindal. Rush Limbaugh and Crowd would never accept it. This country is really in a very terminal condition. All aspects of terminal.

[CindyM2008]

Mc Cane should have sent a statement indicating his reason for not answering or even sending a representative. Either he forgot , he's being a chicken or he does not care about these votes.

[JLee]

In a sense it wasn't such a bad decision. The only state I can think of that the AA vote has a major impact on is California, which is NOT swinging Republican anyway.

In another sense it was stupid not to reply because it sends the wrong message. Particularly given the Republican party's history the campaign should be showing particular sensitivity to minorities, especially when a minority PAC as big as 80-20 knocks on its door. I mean, they may not care about the Asian vote, but there was no need to telegraph it. Should have gotten some intern to fill out the damn questionnaire, is what I'm saying.

[plafayette]

Don't forget growing numbers in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Atlanta, Connecticut etc. Think more about API (Asian Pacific Islanders) Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, etc.... there are a lot of API folks concentrated and not concentrated living everywhere in America. This endorsement is most powerful and excellent news for Barack Obama!

[jalapeno]

Yay!! I love asian americans even more now!!! Pass the Dim Sum and Tsing Tao!!!!!! Cheers!!

[Coinyer101]

obama is uniting so many people for a common cause.equality,life,liberty,and the pursuit of happiness.it would be nice to be proud of our government,for a 'change'.

[tsktsktsk]

John McCain not only snubbed them by never responding to their questionnaire, but he has a lousy voting record on civil rights. This alone should have made their endorsement firm and final.

[jupitor]

He has a lousy voteing record on women rights to choose, also! What good does he vote for?

[GeorgeGlass]

Senator McCain proudly used the g-word to refer to Asians as recently as the year 2000. He did this in front of a group of stunned reporters.

http://www.americablog.com/2008/02/i-hate-gooks-john-mccain.html

He's a creep.

[plafayette]

Hello Dear Sweet George:

Is there any chance that you can email this link to the 80-20 Inititative? It is rather chilling to hear John McCain say "I hate G@@ks, and I will hate them for a long as I live." McCain does not deserve their votes or their consideration.

[darrick72]

The caveat to APACs endorsement is obvertly racist. They are actually inferring that they may switch their endorsement based on the race of a potential Vice-Presidential candidate. I have two things to say to APAC. I'm sure that Senator Obama cherishes your endorsement. Secondly, we Democrat's will never forget if you turn your backs on us and elect John McCain because you prefer Bobby Jindal's race.

Endorse Barack Obama for who he is and even more importantly, endorse him for what he represents. America is stuck in a rut. We need change. Obama = Change.

[goldnchyl]

As much as I appreciate the support of APAC for my chosen candidate, it doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy to know that it is a hollow endorsement, subject to change based on race.

[idtt]

Well said, Darrick72!

[ProgressiveThought]

"From the remarks that McC has made about Asians earlier in his life, it does not surprise me that he saw it as beneath him to respond to "the gooks".....

As an Asian American, I am thrilled to see that the Republicans in our group can see beyond ideology"

+1

McCain has an Asian problem but THE MSM will not report on it!

O B A M A 08!

[plafayette]

Welcome to the colored club Brother. McCain has a problem completely across the racial spectrum - Asian, African American, Hispanic, and Whites prone to critical thinking. While it is understandable that consideration is given to the issue of taxes being raised, as many Asian Americans are in business. However, they should consider the competitive advantages of having better schools, technology and trade agreements on imports and exports. Jindal will not do anything to forward your agenda.

I am African American voting for CHANGE- Economic, Social & Policy Issues are top on my list of concerns- Obama 08

[Liberoservative]

From the remarks that McC has made about Asians earlier in his life, it does not surprise me that he saw it as beneath him to respond to "the gooks".....

As an Asian American, I am thrilled to see that the Republicans in our group can see beyond ideology....

O B A M A 08!

[Daly]

Thanks for pointing out the rude comments of Mc, I not being Asian did not want to throw salt. But he seems so disparage every minority group. I'd like to also take this time to point out a well known fact that Obama's half sister is part of the larger Asian American community. That said I think his tent will respect all Americans and we know what more of the bush thugs will do.

McCain is at this very moment slamming the Euro groups that help American out in Iraq; that type of gratitude and honor is not welcomed.

Many groups fight and sacrifice to be first education only to see people like 5th from bottom of the class reap the rewards. NO MORE.

[AdamND]

If he has the Asain, Black and Latino vote. If he just gets a nice bit of whites then he should win pretty large.