POLITICS: Former marine Ashwin Madia for Congress

Ashwin Madia, a former marine who served in Iraq, has entered the race for Congress from Minnesota, in a seat being vacated by Republican Congressman Jim Ramstad.

From IALI, the Indian-American Leadership Initiative:

Madia is a first generation American, his parents came to the U.S. with $19 in their pockets. He graduated from Osseo High School, the University of Minnesota and NYU Law. After law school, when I’m sure many of his friends were accepting big-salary jobs with law firms all across the country, Ash enlisted in the Marine Corps and served four years, including a tour in Iraq.

Until recently, Madia worked as an associate at a law firm in Minneapolis.

Drawing on his experience in Iraq, Madia plans to make the war a major issue in his campaign. He also hopes to focus on balancing the budget and fighting global warming. What he stressed most frequently, however, is his desire for this campaign to be a real dialogue between the candidates. Madia says he wants as many debates and candidate forums as possible, noting that open congressional seats don’t come around very often.

With no elected experience and no history with party regulars, Madia certainly has an uphill climb. He’s seeking to break into politics in a congressional race that is likely to be among the most competitive in the country – and a race that already has an excellent DFL candidate. There is no question that he is an underdog in this race. That being said, Madia is certainly talented and articulate. Underestimate him at your own peril.

Coverage elsewhere:

• KSTP-TV: "Iraq veteran Madia to run for 3rd Congressional District"
• Pioneer Press: "Iraq war veteran to run for Ramstadt's seat in Congress"

Visit Ashwin Madia's campaign site.

Comments

[Gerald Bosacker]

As a long time Minnesotan and peace-activist
and environmental spokesperson, this poet could help with phrasing incisive thought.
I would love to see Minnesota again the forefront of liberal legislation and people
protection. I could be useful.

[Steve]

This guy doesn't have a chance.

He is a former Marine, which pisses off the anti-military folks.

He is against the war which pisses off the pro-military folks.

He wants to "End Global Warming" which would hurt Blue Collar Workers who would lose their industrial jobs.

And the guy is an immigrant (not born in the US) with the first name "Ashwin". It seems like he is trying to appeal to the Blue Collar people with the song "It's my country" in the background but these are the same people who have seen their jobs shipped overseas to the country this guy is actually from. Yeah, I could see Blue Collar people be offended by "It's my country" coming from this immigrant. It's my country NOW you have outsourced it to my people, and since you have outsourced everything else you might as well outsource your governmental leaders.

There are distinct differences in this campaign and that of Bobby Jindal. This guy seems to have found a way to piss everyone off just not one side.

[Anonymous]

He's the son of immigrants. "Madia is a first generation American."

[Anonymous]

"He is a former Marine, which pisses off the anti-military folks.

He is against the war which pisses off the pro-military folks."

I'm pretty sure that being a former Marine does not piss off anti-military folks. Rather, him being a former Marine gives him more credibility as he comes out against the war, and makes him all but immune to the "anti-war = unpatriotic" crowd. And really, pro-military doesnt automatically make you pro-Iraq war; in fact, most military families I know are now more anti-war due to their vested interest.

And he's the son of immigrants, not an immigrant. Steve, before any rants, please fact check or you will have it done for you.