Leland Yee, one of the highest-ranking Asian Americans in CA politics, agreed to an interview with Asian Americans for Obama.

(And remember- today is the last day to register to vote in CA!)

1. What do you think Sen. Obama can do to help the Asian American community, as individuals or as a whole?

As President, Barack Obama will break down the ultimate glass ceiling for all Americans.  He will provide hope and inspiration to the next generation both at home and abroad.  Obama has the grace, dignity, and intelligence to regain our nation’s respect around the world.  Finally, he will help improve our educational and healthcare systems to benefit not only Asian Americans, but all Americans.

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Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula, the first Asian Indian American serving in the New Jersey General Assembly, and the fourth in the nation for elected offices, discussed his support for Sen. Obama in a recent interview with Asian Americans for Obama.
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There was a great presence of Asian American leaders at the convention to nominate Sen. Barack Obama for the presidency last month. With issues ranging from the economy to education, Obama’s platform of shifting from the Bush’s administration’s “failed policies” brings great appeal.

Links:

Asian Americans at the DNC

Indian Americans Flex Muscle at Democratic Convention

At the DNC: A First for Filipino Delegates

“Indian American voters see themselves more closely aligned with Democrats on a range of economic, cultural and international issues, very far from the Republicans, and may play a critical role in the presidential poll this November, a new study has found.

The study of a focus group of likely Indian American voters conducted in Northern Virginia this summer found the participants deeply troubled by the US’ direction after eight years of President George W. Bush, placing great hope in Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate.”

Follow the link to the article at the India Times.

Newsweek has a good article online on the Asian American role in the upcoming 2008 race.

Zhou Ling, a naturalized American citizen
from Taiwan who wears an Obama pin with the Chinese characters for
“hope,” says Asian American citizens must abandon fear and cultivate
courage and civic duty. For her, both were inspired by the Obama
campaign, for which she now volunteers.

                                           …

The Obama campaign clearly recognizes the
need to reach out to the Asian American community. Last month,
California Rep. Mike Honda addressed an Obama fundraiser sponsored by a
coalition of Asian American political groups. Obama’s part Indonesian
half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, has also contributed as a spokeswoman.
Their efforts may bear fruit. According to “New Voters, Old Fears,” by News 21, a journalism initiative of the Carnegie and Knight Foundations, Asian Americans increasingly lean toward Democratic candidates.

From: http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/08/07/crouching-voter-hidden-direction.aspx

From: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/17/MNCI12CVH8.DTL

"Change is always tough, and electing me is change … and it means
that people are going to hesitate a little bit," Obama told a crowd of
about 200 deep-pocketed supporters at a VIP reception for South Asian
and Pacific Islander supporters at the Fairmont Hotel.

                             …

Obama told the group - many of them Indian and Pakistani immigrants
- that he is not only familiar with their cultures - but also proud of
his lifelong associations with them.

"Not only do I think I’m a desi, but I’m a desi," he said, using a
colloquial term that describes South Asian immigrants. The remark was
greeted with laughs. "I’m a homeboy."

He said that when he went to Occidental College, his first roommate
was Pakistani. And in his dorm, he said with a laugh, "Indians and
Pakistanis came together under one roof … to cause havoc in the
university."

To applause, he said he became an expert "at cooking dal" and other
ethnic dishes, though "somebody else made the naan," the trademark
Indian bread.

"Those are friendships which have lasted me for years, and continue
until this day," he said. "I have an enormous personal affection for
the people of South Asia."

"I’ve also had an orientation toward Asia and a recognition … that
over time we are going to see … more economic growth," and an
economic partnership with the United States that is "strategic."

The 80-20 Initiative backs Sen. Barack Obama.

"The 80-20 Initiative is a national, nonpartisan group dedicated to
the issues of Asian Pacific Americans. Saturday’s [Aug. 2nd] 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."

From: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/natasha-chen/largest-asian-american-pa_b_116562.html

Find or create your own Listening to America Event at http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/listening/

"Every four years, the Democratic Party assembles a “platform” that outlines the party’s position on a variety of issues. Traditionally, the platform is written by paid professionals and then presented to the American people.

This year, that’s going to change.

From July 19 to July 27, everyday people all across America will hold Platform Meetings in their own communities. From Atlanta, Georgia to Muncie, Indiana, from Bangor, Maine to Eugene, Oregon, Americans will meet to talk about what issues are most important to them and what should be at the heart of the Democratic platform for change.

The results of these Platform Meetings will be incorporated into the formal process that culminates in the adoption of the platform at the Democratic Convention in August. A few participants may even be invited to appear and testify at the National Hearing and at the Convention!

You can write the next chapter in the history of the Democratic Party. Host an event in your own community. We’ve prepared all the materials that you need to host. Or, if you’d prefer, find an event near you."

From: http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080615/BUSINESS/806150323

"There’s a reason many in Asia eagerly await new U.S. leadership: The region feels neglected by the world’s sole superpower. Many Asians want the next president to pursue a more collaborative, forward-looking relationship with the most dynamic economic region after the November election."

There are many on the borderline, those who agree with Senator Obama’s policies, but question his experience. Those who want change in the country, but feel that he’s all talk. Here’s an interesting article from DailyKos on addressing those concerns:

See: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/9/204346/8388/356/515265

NO: "…he’s very special, a once-in-a-generation candidate.  It’s too bad you are missing out, and not seeing what so many, many, many others are seeing."

YES: "I understand where you’re coming from–I know I would have been really disappointed if my candidate had lost the primaries. I hope we can count on your vote, because we can’t afford to have any more Republican judges on the Supreme Court.

You know, I’ve been on board with Obama for a long time, but my [mother/neighbor/cousin/colleague] was a huge Hillary supporter. I have a lot of respect for some things she has done in the Senate, and I think she has great work ahead of her after we beat the Republicans this fall."