Friday, November 20, 2009
Interview with Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor
Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor talks about her opinion on protectionfor workforce in the globallization.
Tan Lam: Rebuild the Republican Party
Tan Lam a Louisiana Republican teacher and a scientist outlines some ways the Republican Party can rebuild and grow.“A 10-point action plan to strengthen and modernize the Republican Party” by Rebuild the Party
As Republicans, we face a choice.
Either we can spend the next several months — or years — trying to figure out what just happened, excusing our defeat away as a temporary blip or the result of a poor environment, and waiting for Barack Obama to trip up. Or we can refuse to take this defeat lying down, and start building the future of our party now.
2008 made one thing clear: if allowed to go unchecked, the Democrats’ structural advantages, including their use of the Internet, their more than 2-to-1 advantage with young voters, their discovery of a better grassroots model — will be as big a threat to the future of the GOP as the toxic political environment we have faced the last few years.
The time is now to set in motion the changes needed to rebuild our party from the grassroots up, modernize the way we run campaigns, and attract different, energetic, and younger candidates at all levels.
We must be conservative in philosophy — but bold in our approach. We don’t need a slight tweak here or there. We need transformation. We can’t keep fighting a 21st century war with 20th century weapons.
This is a document about bringing the Republican Party into the future — and it isn’t just about strategies and tactics.
Revitalizing the party will have much to do with how we talk about issues and standing on principle. And, above all, it will require leadership.
At the same time, waiting for a political savior to materialize out of thin air is not an option. Eventually, strong new leaders will emerge. And when they do, they must inherit a party stronger than the one in its current state. Our grassroots must be stronger and more open. We must inspire young leaders to want to run for office as Republicans.
We are asking all the candidates for RNC Chairman to pledge their support for this plan as a starting point for our way out of the wilderness.
Our focus will not end with the current party leadership race. We will continue advancing the tenets of this plan throughout the next election cycle. We will hold our leaders accountable for implementing the plan. And we’ll continue to refine with feedback from smart, up-and-coming leaders in the GOP, and help our local parties implement this strategy at the local level.
Change starts now. Complacency is no longer an option.
The Internet: Our #1 Priority in the Next Four Years
Winning the technology war with the Democrats must be the RNC’s number one priority in the next four years.
The challenge is daunting, but if we adopt a strongly anti-Washington message and charge hard against Obama and the Democrats, we will energize our grassroots base. Among other benefits, this will create real demand for new ways to organize and route around existing power structures that favor the Democrats. And, you will soon discover, online organizing is by far the most efficient way to transform our party structures to be able to compete against what is likely to be a $1 billion Obama re-election campaign in 2012.
Our near loss in the 2000 election sparked the 72 Hour program, after a brutal realization that we were being out-hustled in GOTV activities in the final days. Our partial success in the 2000 election didn’t blind us to the need for change, and our eyes must be wide open now. Barack Obama and the Democrats’ ability to build their entire fundraising, GOTV, and communications machine from the Internet is the #1 existential challenge to our existing party model.
Change is never easy, but as in the post-2000 period, it begins with tough love and a focus on what must be done at the local level.
What’s Wrong — And How to Fix It
READ MORE http://www.tanlam.com/pg/pages/view/11/
Grace Mah Re-Elected to Santa Clara County Board of Education 2008
Grace Mah, an Asian-American Republican was re-elected to sit on on the Santa Clara County Board of Education.
Below she explains why she should was running.
My work on the county board has included careful oversight of the $250M budget, hiring and setting goals with our new superintendent, and promoting collaboration among the 32 school districts in Santa Clara County that support over 250,000 students. I am passionate about all of our children’s well-being and have visited many county programs such as Head Start, schools for the severely disabled, alternative high schools, and juvenile correctional facilities.
Below she explains why she should was running.
My work on the county board has included careful oversight of the $250M budget, hiring and setting goals with our new superintendent, and promoting collaboration among the 32 school districts in Santa Clara County that support over 250,000 students. I am passionate about all of our children’s well-being and have visited many county programs such as Head Start, schools for the severely disabled, alternative high schools, and juvenile correctional facilities.
Cheryl Lau - Asian GOP Profile
Cheryl Lau was general counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995-1996. She was the Republican Secretary of State for Nevada, 1992-1995 and deputy attorney general of Nevada's Attorney General's Office from 1987-1991.
In 1996, Lau was a Republican candidate for the U.S. Congress in Nevada's second district. Among her many affiliations, Ms. Lau served as the vice chair of the 1992 Republican National Platform Committee, secretary of the Republican National Convention in 1992, and chair of the National Commission for the Renewal of American Democracy.
Asian Conservatives compiled
As an effort to help grow Asian Conservative consciousness a current list of conservative Asian politicians would be a most valuable resource to have. Building this compilation dawned on me when the relatively unknown Republican Anh “Joseph” Cao of Louisiana unseated 9 term Democrat William J. Jefferson.
While I’m a resident of California and not Louisiana, I’m certain that I not only speak for myself but for others in wanting to know the who’s who of conservative politics in the Asian community. I will be updating this post regularly with updates on Asian politicians as I discover them. To start out with I am adding local politicians in Silicon Valley. I encourage my readers to help by submitting people in counties and offices I’ve failed to mention.
California
Gwan Alisantosa – Milpitas Unified School District Trustee
Grace Mah – Santa Clara County Board of Education
T.N. Ho – Santa Clara County Board of Education
Raymond Chui
Van Tran
Naraj Singh
Teddy Choi
Charles Hahn
Hon. Michelle Steel - California State Board of Equalization District 3
Janet Nguyen - Orange County Board of Supervisors
Oregon
Dave Kim
John Lim
Nevada
Cheryl Lau
New Hampshire
Saghir Tahir
South Carolina
Nikki Randhawa Haley
Texas
Angie Chen Button
Utah
Curtis Oda
Washington State
Tan Lam
Louisiana
Bobby Jindal - Governor of Louisiana
Anh “Joseph” Cao
(source) http://asianconservative.com/
While I’m a resident of California and not Louisiana, I’m certain that I not only speak for myself but for others in wanting to know the who’s who of conservative politics in the Asian community. I will be updating this post regularly with updates on Asian politicians as I discover them. To start out with I am adding local politicians in Silicon Valley. I encourage my readers to help by submitting people in counties and offices I’ve failed to mention.
California
Gwan Alisantosa – Milpitas Unified School District Trustee
Grace Mah – Santa Clara County Board of Education
T.N. Ho – Santa Clara County Board of Education
Raymond Chui
Van Tran
Naraj Singh
Teddy Choi
Charles Hahn
Hon. Michelle Steel - California State Board of Equalization District 3
Janet Nguyen - Orange County Board of Supervisors
Oregon
Dave Kim
John Lim
Nevada
Cheryl Lau
New Hampshire
Saghir Tahir
South Carolina
Nikki Randhawa Haley
Texas
Angie Chen Button
Utah
Curtis Oda
Washington State
Tan Lam
Louisiana
Bobby Jindal - Governor of Louisiana
Anh “Joseph” Cao
(source) http://asianconservative.com/
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Washington Examiner: Are Asian Voters swinging Republican?
Prowling through the election returns in the governor races two weeks ago, I was surprised to find that Middlesex County, New Jersey, voted for Republican Christie over Democratic incumbent Corzine by a 48%-44% margin, almost exactly the same as Christie’s 49%-45% statewide margin. Middlesex County has been a Democratic county for as long as I have been studying election returns (going back to the 1960 election). In close elections it voted 58%-42% for John Kennedy in 1960, 46%-43% for Humphrey in 1968 (when he failed to carry New Jersey), 51%-47% for Carter in 1976, 46%-38% and 56%-32% for Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996, 60%-36% for Gore in 2000, 56%-43% for Kerry in 2004 and 60%-39% for Barack Obama in 2008.
Historically it was a white working class county, with old industrial cities like Perth Amboy and New Brunswick; its county Democratic leader was often the major Democratic power broker in state politics. You know the territory if you’ve ever driven through the intersection of the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway.
Yet it voted for Christie over Corzine.
*break*
Plus, down in Virginia, Fairfax County, which is 16% “Asian only” and which like Middlesex County voted 60%-39% for Barack Obama, voted 51%-49% for Republican Governor-elect Bob McDonnell. McDonnell campaigned heavily in Fairfax’s immigrant communities and clearly made some inroads there.
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls.main/, Nationally, Asian voters went 62%-35% for Barack Obama over John McCain in 2008, a number boosted by the fact that Obama carried Hawaii Asians, who make up 30% of the state’s electorate, by a 68%-30% margin. But the election results in Middlesex and Fairfax Counties for 2009, with economic issues playing a greater and different role than they did in 2008, suggest that Republicans can make significant gains among this growing segment of the electorate.
(Excerpt) Read - Washington Examiner: Are Asian Voters swinging Republican?
Historically it was a white working class county, with old industrial cities like Perth Amboy and New Brunswick; its county Democratic leader was often the major Democratic power broker in state politics. You know the territory if you’ve ever driven through the intersection of the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway.
Yet it voted for Christie over Corzine.
*break*
Plus, down in Virginia, Fairfax County, which is 16% “Asian only” and which like Middlesex County voted 60%-39% for Barack Obama, voted 51%-49% for Republican Governor-elect Bob McDonnell. McDonnell campaigned heavily in Fairfax’s immigrant communities and clearly made some inroads there.
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls.main/, Nationally, Asian voters went 62%-35% for Barack Obama over John McCain in 2008, a number boosted by the fact that Obama carried Hawaii Asians, who make up 30% of the state’s electorate, by a 68%-30% margin. But the election results in Middlesex and Fairfax Counties for 2009, with economic issues playing a greater and different role than they did in 2008, suggest that Republicans can make significant gains among this growing segment of the electorate.
(Excerpt) Read - Washington Examiner: Are Asian Voters swinging Republican?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sam Meas: The Case for Real Healthcare Reform
by Sam Meas
There is a need for healthcare reform in the United States today. I believe that all U.S. citizens and legal residents should have access to competitive, comprehensive, and affordable medical care. However, the process by which we achieve that goal must be deliberate and thoughtful. Congress is rushing very quickly to pass a bill that is very confusing, for a healthcare plan that is very, very expensive.
In fact, a current healthcare plan, all 1990 page and hundreds of pages of amendments, is available from the United States Government Printing Office. At best, it is merely confusing; at worst, it will eventually lead us to socialized medicine. It gives tremendous power to the government via the many committees it sets up. And it will result in yet another mammoth bureaucracy.
One of provisions in this plan allows for a mandatory public option. This public option will eventually drive private insurance out of business. No private business can compete with the government’s unlimited resources. Ultimately, the only healthcare provider left standing will be the public option, a massive government agency. No enterprise run and managed by any government agency is ever efficient or profitable. Just look at Medicare and Medicaid -- 30% of the cost of these programs is attributable to abuse, fraud, and inefficiency. America cannot afford yet another government boondoggle!
To date, neither the President nor Congress has disclosed the true cost of the program or how it will be paid for. The president has claimed in town hall meetings that the program would likely cost $100B annually; of which $70B will be paid for by improving Medicare and Medicaid and getting rid of Medicare part B. But what about the remaining $30B? Another tax increase for working families? Americans are being taxed enough!
Our current healthcare system, although it is expensive, is the best in the world. In the U.S., everyone is given access to health care whether or not they have the ability to pay for it. Here is my proposal to cover the 10 million Americans (U.S. citizens and legal residents) who are not insured:
1) Enact serious tort reform – high-liability insurance premiums make health care expensive
2) Train more doctors and nurses
3) Set maximum comprehensive and preventative coverage, and require all insurance companies to offer it
4) Give tax credits or advance tax credits to be used to purchase private insurance
Allow competition in healthcare insurance across state lines
5) Let consumers select healthcare options based on their needs
6) Reform Medicare/Medicaid/CHIP by giving vouchers to people so that they can purchase private insurance of their choice
My plan to offer healthcare coverage to the 10 million uninsured will cost less than $100B a year, and the government will have no part in running our healthcare system. Best of all, Americans will continue to enjoy the best healthcare system in the world.
Sam Meas is a Republican candidate running for U.S. Congress in Mass 5th Congressional District. He is a new contributor to The Asian-American GOP Network.
http://www.sammeasforcongress.com/
There is a need for healthcare reform in the United States today. I believe that all U.S. citizens and legal residents should have access to competitive, comprehensive, and affordable medical care. However, the process by which we achieve that goal must be deliberate and thoughtful. Congress is rushing very quickly to pass a bill that is very confusing, for a healthcare plan that is very, very expensive.
In fact, a current healthcare plan, all 1990 page and hundreds of pages of amendments, is available from the United States Government Printing Office. At best, it is merely confusing; at worst, it will eventually lead us to socialized medicine. It gives tremendous power to the government via the many committees it sets up. And it will result in yet another mammoth bureaucracy.
One of provisions in this plan allows for a mandatory public option. This public option will eventually drive private insurance out of business. No private business can compete with the government’s unlimited resources. Ultimately, the only healthcare provider left standing will be the public option, a massive government agency. No enterprise run and managed by any government agency is ever efficient or profitable. Just look at Medicare and Medicaid -- 30% of the cost of these programs is attributable to abuse, fraud, and inefficiency. America cannot afford yet another government boondoggle!
To date, neither the President nor Congress has disclosed the true cost of the program or how it will be paid for. The president has claimed in town hall meetings that the program would likely cost $100B annually; of which $70B will be paid for by improving Medicare and Medicaid and getting rid of Medicare part B. But what about the remaining $30B? Another tax increase for working families? Americans are being taxed enough!
Our current healthcare system, although it is expensive, is the best in the world. In the U.S., everyone is given access to health care whether or not they have the ability to pay for it. Here is my proposal to cover the 10 million Americans (U.S. citizens and legal residents) who are not insured:
1) Enact serious tort reform – high-liability insurance premiums make health care expensive
2) Train more doctors and nurses
3) Set maximum comprehensive and preventative coverage, and require all insurance companies to offer it
4) Give tax credits or advance tax credits to be used to purchase private insurance
Allow competition in healthcare insurance across state lines
5) Let consumers select healthcare options based on their needs
6) Reform Medicare/Medicaid/CHIP by giving vouchers to people so that they can purchase private insurance of their choice
My plan to offer healthcare coverage to the 10 million uninsured will cost less than $100B a year, and the government will have no part in running our healthcare system. Best of all, Americans will continue to enjoy the best healthcare system in the world.
Sam Meas is a Republican candidate running for U.S. Congress in Mass 5th Congressional District. He is a new contributor to The Asian-American GOP Network.
http://www.sammeasforcongress.com/
Sunday, November 15, 2009
GOP Will Make a Huge Mistake If It 'Punishes' Rep. Cao
WORLD: Letter From the Editor: GOP Will Make a Huge Mistake If It 'Punishes' Rep. CaoStanding up for his constituents: Representative Anh "Joseph" Cao (R-Louisiana), pictured here with his wife, Hieu "Kate" Hoang and their children, Sophia (left) and Betsy at their New Orleans home shortly after his history-making election last November as the first Vietnamese-American member of Congress, was the sole House Republican to vote in favor of the Democrats' health-care reform bill.
Cao's vote has deeply angered right-wing activists both inside and outside the GOP, but in an interview with CNN, Cao -- whose district is predominantly African-American and overwhelmingly Democratic -- said, "I have always said that I would put aside partisan wrangling to do the business of the people. My vote tonight was based on my priority of doing what is best for my constituents." (Photo courtesy VietCatholic News)
Peter A. Koo: Asian-American Republican Wins New York City Counsil Seat
An urban Republican, Peter A. Koo, a 57-year-old millionaire pharmacist, according to the New York Times defeated his Democratic rival, Yen S. Chou, who runs a tutoring center, by 49.6 percent to 44.7 percent, in the 20th Council District, which includes Flushing. Mr. Koo will succeed John C. Liu, who became the first Asian-American elected to the Council in 2001.
The Asian Vote
The website Asian Conservative has a great article on Asian-American voters and why Republicans should reach out to this community.
The second largest ethnic group, after Hispanics are Asian Americans. And, with the 15MM estimated Asians in the United States this is a potentially huge bloc of voters. With these numbers you would imagine Asian Americans as having a strong voice in American politics. However, that is far from the fact. Asian representation is minuscule as compared to other ethnic blocs. For instance the Jewish community with roughly 6MM+ citizens here in the United States has 37 members in Congress as compared to the 8 Asian Pacific Americans represented.
With so much potential, this under representation is at the heart of what we are trying to accomplish here at “The Asian Conservative”. Not only do we want smart conservative able-bodied Asians in leadership positions but also that we carry a huge voting bloc that needs to have their concerns and wishes addressed.
The Asian Pacific American population is the fastest growing minority population in the United States and holds key electoral presences not only in California and Hawaii, but also Florida, Texas, and Virginia; all key battle ground states this past election. Looking at a further analysis of the 2006 national exit polls, Asians show to be equally divided in their party identification. This close margin is a sure sign that the Asian vote can be a swing constituency. And, if courted properly will help the Conservative cause.
Another notable concern is the lack of participation among some Asian demographics. As reported by Politico, in the state of Nevada, Asian voter turnout was between 31 – 36%, a very clear signal that either political party is not activating these minorities. Also notable is the participation of Asian cultures in Oregon. Despite Oregon’s particularly large Asian demographic, the politically unattached Asian population ranks as high at 37%.
These numbers should come as a realization that there is a huge opportunity for the Asian conservative to impact American politics, as we know it today. If we are successful with The Asian Conservative we will be able to do just that.
http://asianconservative.com/
The second largest ethnic group, after Hispanics are Asian Americans. And, with the 15MM estimated Asians in the United States this is a potentially huge bloc of voters. With these numbers you would imagine Asian Americans as having a strong voice in American politics. However, that is far from the fact. Asian representation is minuscule as compared to other ethnic blocs. For instance the Jewish community with roughly 6MM+ citizens here in the United States has 37 members in Congress as compared to the 8 Asian Pacific Americans represented.
With so much potential, this under representation is at the heart of what we are trying to accomplish here at “The Asian Conservative”. Not only do we want smart conservative able-bodied Asians in leadership positions but also that we carry a huge voting bloc that needs to have their concerns and wishes addressed.
The Asian Pacific American population is the fastest growing minority population in the United States and holds key electoral presences not only in California and Hawaii, but also Florida, Texas, and Virginia; all key battle ground states this past election. Looking at a further analysis of the 2006 national exit polls, Asians show to be equally divided in their party identification. This close margin is a sure sign that the Asian vote can be a swing constituency. And, if courted properly will help the Conservative cause.
Another notable concern is the lack of participation among some Asian demographics. As reported by Politico, in the state of Nevada, Asian voter turnout was between 31 – 36%, a very clear signal that either political party is not activating these minorities. Also notable is the participation of Asian cultures in Oregon. Despite Oregon’s particularly large Asian demographic, the politically unattached Asian population ranks as high at 37%.
These numbers should come as a realization that there is a huge opportunity for the Asian conservative to impact American politics, as we know it today. If we are successful with The Asian Conservative we will be able to do just that.
http://asianconservative.com/
Join Official “California Republican Asian American Network”
Description: The California Republican Party's new Asian American Networks program is designed to help you connect with other Asian Republicans who share your passions and interests. By joining a Network, you're connecting directly with the Republican Party, and helping the Republican Party connect with even more people.
The Asian Networks initiative harnesses the power of new communications tools as well as traditional grass-roots efforts to bring the Republican message to every part of our state, to help elect candidates who share our Republican values and to ensure that Republican voices are heard at the polls on ballot initiatives, bonds, propositions and proposed constitutional amendments.
Getting started is easy: just go to www.cagop.org/networks and complete the form to become linked up with others in your community — Republicans who share your interests. Enter your contact information and select the networks of interest to you. Then, you can recruit your family, friends and neighbors to join up too! Together we're bringing new faces and new voices into the Republican Party to help put Republican ideas into action.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=88020234395&ref=ts
The Asian Networks initiative harnesses the power of new communications tools as well as traditional grass-roots efforts to bring the Republican message to every part of our state, to help elect candidates who share our Republican values and to ensure that Republican voices are heard at the polls on ballot initiatives, bonds, propositions and proposed constitutional amendments.
Getting started is easy: just go to www.cagop.org/networks and complete the form to become linked up with others in your community — Republicans who share your interests. Enter your contact information and select the networks of interest to you. Then, you can recruit your family, friends and neighbors to join up too! Together we're bringing new faces and new voices into the Republican Party to help put Republican ideas into action.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=88020234395&ref=ts
Meet Tim Mak: A Rising Asian Conservative Star
Tim Mak is a journalist and political researcher living in Washington, D.C. Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Tim Mak graduated from McGill University as valedictorian, receiving a Joint Honours Political Science and Geography degree.
Described as “a rising star of the conservative movement” by the American Spectator, Tim has been actively engaged in politics in both Canada and the United States. His political experience includes work in the communications and policy divisions of two different Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
Tim is currently a Koch Summer Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. In addition, Tim has previously been employed by the Fraser Institute, where he researched issues relating to the Canadian non-profit and voluntary sector. In addition, he was the Policy Branch Director for the Pearson House Think-Tank from 2007-2009.
Tim also works as a reporter for NewMajority.com and as a staff writer for the Canadian Student Review. His work has previously appeared in the National Post’s Full Comment, the Vancouver Sun, the Western Standard, NewMajority.com, the Métropolitain, the Canadian Student Review, the McGill Tribune, and the Pearson House Policy Journal.
Outside of politics, Tim has worked as a statistical analyst and fundraising campaign planner for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. He enjoys playing ice hockey, football and soccer.
http://www.newmajority.com/author/TimM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afbkcPOCXE0
Described as “a rising star of the conservative movement” by the American Spectator, Tim has been actively engaged in politics in both Canada and the United States. His political experience includes work in the communications and policy divisions of two different Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
Tim is currently a Koch Summer Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. In addition, Tim has previously been employed by the Fraser Institute, where he researched issues relating to the Canadian non-profit and voluntary sector. In addition, he was the Policy Branch Director for the Pearson House Think-Tank from 2007-2009.
Tim also works as a reporter for NewMajority.com and as a staff writer for the Canadian Student Review. His work has previously appeared in the National Post’s Full Comment, the Vancouver Sun, the Western Standard, NewMajority.com, the Métropolitain, the Canadian Student Review, the McGill Tribune, and the Pearson House Policy Journal.
Outside of politics, Tim has worked as a statistical analyst and fundraising campaign planner for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. He enjoys playing ice hockey, football and soccer.
http://www.newmajority.com/author/TimM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afbkcPOCXE0
Poll Results Confirm Influence of Asian American Voters in the 2009 Virginia Gubernatorial Race
Fairfax County, Virginia—The League of New Voters (LNV), which was founded in the Spring of 2009 in response to the needs of new voters who are naturalized U.S. citizens, conducted a month long nonpartisan telephone survey (Oct 1, 2009 to Nov 3, 2009) to assess Asian voters’ outlook on the Virginia gubernatorial and House of Delegate elections.
A survey of 16,293 registered Asian American voters in twelve legislative districts in Northern Virginia, where the Asian population is as high as 21% (LD39) of general population, showed that an average of 58.5% voted for Bob McDonnell the governor-elect. Furthermore, Asian American voter turn out was highest among Chinese and Vietnamese Americans on Election Day 2009, but it may take months before the Board of Elections releases an exact figure. As a point of reference, in Election 2008, Asian Americans voter turnout in Virginia reached a historic high of 61% according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper (07/2009).
Virginia’s Asian American votes made a key difference in this contest and reversed the trend of Election 2008 where Asian Americans voted by a big margin for Obama - according to the Asian American Legal Defense Fund.
Voter education, strategic communications in native Asian languages and dedicated outreach efforts by candidate McDonnell were key factors for earning the Asian votes, and determining the outcome of this race. The League of New Voters applaud Asian voters of Virginia for actively participating in this historic election and we look forward to working with the McDonnell Administration to ensure that Asian Americans interests in Virginia are accurately represented.
We commend the candidates for their efforts. The League of New Voters will continue to be a resource to office seekers so that they can more fully engage the growing Asian American communities in the political process.
http://sites.google.com/site/leagueofnewvoters
A survey of 16,293 registered Asian American voters in twelve legislative districts in Northern Virginia, where the Asian population is as high as 21% (LD39) of general population, showed that an average of 58.5% voted for Bob McDonnell the governor-elect. Furthermore, Asian American voter turn out was highest among Chinese and Vietnamese Americans on Election Day 2009, but it may take months before the Board of Elections releases an exact figure. As a point of reference, in Election 2008, Asian Americans voter turnout in Virginia reached a historic high of 61% according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper (07/2009).
Virginia’s Asian American votes made a key difference in this contest and reversed the trend of Election 2008 where Asian Americans voted by a big margin for Obama - according to the Asian American Legal Defense Fund.
Voter education, strategic communications in native Asian languages and dedicated outreach efforts by candidate McDonnell were key factors for earning the Asian votes, and determining the outcome of this race. The League of New Voters applaud Asian voters of Virginia for actively participating in this historic election and we look forward to working with the McDonnell Administration to ensure that Asian Americans interests in Virginia are accurately represented.
We commend the candidates for their efforts. The League of New Voters will continue to be a resource to office seekers so that they can more fully engage the growing Asian American communities in the political process.
http://sites.google.com/site/leagueofnewvoters
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