[See SAJAforum posts, sources and resources on the 2008 presidential race]
Now that the Democratic National Convention in Denver is over, here's some South Asian stuff. Please add your own in the comments section below (or e-mail saja[at]columbia.edu. We'll do the same about the Republican National Convention next week [update: here's our RNC post]
* The photo above (more pix below), a screengrab off my TV, is from a CNN interview with Tim Kaine, governor of Virginia. You can catch a glimpse of actor Kal Penn ("House," "The Namesake"). From an LAT blog post by Robin Abcarian, "Kal Penn, a familiar face in an unfamiliar place":
While most celebrities were swanning around the Pepsi Center here in Denver, Penn, who has traveled on behalf of Obama since October, was actually working. Like, for real.
“Because of the convention this week, they asked me if I would be willing to be a political whip and I said I’d be happy to,” said Penn, who is on hiatus from “House” through next week.
So there he was, talking into a headset, making sure that Virginia delegates were adhering to the many procedural rules that govern the convention.
* Sunita Leeds is co-chair of the DNC Rules Committee.
* Author and Vassar professor Amitava Kumar has been blogging and writing from Denver. Some links:
- Sample posts from AmitavaKumar.com: Day 4 | Day 3
- Indian Express columns: Keep going, Hillary said. To the nominee or her loyal cadre?
Like a rock concert, with the most famous band in the world
* Dan Nainan, the Indian-Japanese-American standup comic, fresh from his gig at the SAJA Convention, got to play in a somewhat larger gathering. From Portfolio (complete with video interview):
Dan Nainan is gunning for an invite to the Republican National Convention after a killer performance at the Democrats' big party in Denver.
The New York-based comedian works the club circuit, does corporate events and fundraisers, but performing at a presidential convention was a first. "It was truly the experience of a lifetime," he said of his set for APIAVote.org, which promotes civic involvement in the Asian Pacific Islander American community.
* During his keynote speech on Day 2, former Virginia governor Mark Warner, now running for Senate, made these remarks:
We delivered broadband to the most remote areas of our state, because, in this global economy, if you can send a job to Bangalore, India, you sure as heck can send one to Danville, Virginia, and Flint, Michigan, and Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Peoria, Illinois.
* Roger Cohen, NYTimes.com columnist, had this to say in a column titled, "Obama's From Main St., Ain't He?":
Sure, there are issues. There’s a middle class mauled by $4-a-gallon-plus gas, soaring health costs, Bangalored jobs and lost homes — while the rich got tax breaks.
* For the record, we are reprinting an e-mail from Democratic strategist Toby Chaudhuri which lists all the South Asian and Asian American events at this year's convention. Take a look below.
* On "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," on Comedy Central, we spotted Aasif Mandvi, the show's "senior DNC correspondent."
Mandvi was also featured in a fake ad for his fake-news show.
* Abu Taher of Bangla Patrika was the subject of an in-depth NYT story about the ethnic press at the convention.
* We leave you with images of some Sikh gentlemen in the convention arena and at Mile High Stadium:
Please post your thoughts and additional items in the comments section below (or e-mail saja[at]columbia.edu).
LATER ON SAJAforum: Desi spotting at the RNC
From Toby Chaudhuri, communications director for the APIA (Asian Pacific Islander American) Communications Center (FLASHBACK: Listen to Chaudhari's appearance on a SAJA webcast about the Democratic race in Feb. 2008):
MEDIA ADVISORY:
SUNDAY, AUG. 24, 2008
RECORD NUMBERS OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICANS TO PARTICIPATE IN DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION ACTIVITIES FOR THE FIRST-TIME
Official Democratic APIA Communications Center To Get Party’s Message Out
To Asian and Pacific Islander American Communities
DENVER, COLO. – The Democratic National Convention’s APIA Communications Center today announced details for Asian and Pacific Islander American events scheduled at this year’s convention. Thousands of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans will participate in this week’s activities, charting the community’s greatest involvement in American political convention history.
APIA COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
KEY CONTACTS
Toby Chaudhuri, communications director, toby@edge.net
Jaclyn Zimmerman, deputy director, 646-279-5559
Namrata Mujumdar, deputy director, 614-563-4530
Gloria Chan, coordinator, 917-803-2450
CHINESE/TAIWANESE
Clarence Tong, 267-968-8319
Christine Chen, 703-593-0000
Yvonne Lee, 415-370-1576
SOUTH ASIAN
S.R. Sidarth, 703-405-8695
Nandika Madgavkar, 212-559-6280
Ahnoni Patel, 415-310-8049
KOREAN/JAPANESE
Frank Aum, 510-821-4510
Jennifer Oh, 571-225-1930
SOUTHEAST ASIAN
Alex Nguyen, 202-607-5553
Caroline Nguyen, 202-210-4259
Hung Nguyen, 703-470-4864
BLOGGERS/ONLINE
Koli Banik, 703-785-5124
PACIFIC ISLANDER/FILIPINO
Melvin Tabilas, 310-709-5191
Ray Carbullido, 808-285-4463
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
**NOTE: Multimedia materials from Asian and Pacific Islander American events will be made available at www.demconvention.com. **
MONDAY, AUG. 25
9:15 a.m. Democratic leaders brief media representatives covering the convention.
Colorado Convention Center Rm. 601, 700 14th St.
**NOTE: Listen-only dial-in phone number 866-847-7859.**
10 a.m. Asian and Pacific Islander American Democratic leaders hold an official party caucus to outline the campaign’s strategy to reach voters.
Colorado Convention Center Four Seasons 4, 700 14th St.
2 p.m. AAA-Fund holds a discussion with Asian and Pacific Islander American Democratic activists called the “power hour.”
Marriott Hotel City Center, 1701 California St.
2 p.m. Indian American Leadership Initiative holds a news conference to announce their community’s plans to mobilize voters this year.
Denver Athletic Club, 1325 Glenarm Pl.
3:30 p.m. Indian American Leadership Initiative holds a reception with Indian American Democratic elected officials and political appointees.
Denver Athletic Club, 1325 Glenarm Pl.8 p.m. APIAVote holds a gala reception to celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander political leadership.
Marriott City Center, Main Ballroom, 1701 California St.
TUESDAY, AUG. 26
9:15 a.m. Democratic leaders brief media representatives covering the convention.
Colorado Convention Center Rm. 601, 700 14th St.
**NOTE: Listen-only dial-in phone number 866-847-7859.**
2 p.m. Asian and Pacific Islander American grassroots leaders hold a training and strategy session.
Colorado Convention Center, Korbel Ballroom 3A, 700 14th St.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27
9:15 a.m. Democratic leaders brief media representatives covering the convention.
Colorado Convention Center Rm. 601, 700 14th St.
**NOTE: Listen-only dial-in phone number 8a66-847-7859.**
10 a.m. Asian and Pacific Islander American Democratic leaders hold an official party caucus to kick-off the largest mobilization of APIA voters in history.
Colorado Convention Center Four Seasons 4, 700 14th St.
2 p.m. APIAVote holds a briefing on grassroots strategies to engage Asian and Pacific Islanders in the political process.
Marriott City Center, 1701 California St.
THURSDAY, AUG. 28
7:30 a.m. Civil right leaders hold a breakfast commemorating 45th anniversary of “I Have A Dream” speech.
Colorado Convention Center Korbel Ballroom, 700 14th St.
9:15 a.m. Democratic leaders brief media representatives covering the convention.
Colorado Convention Center Rm. 601, 700 14th St.
**NOTE: Listen-only dial-in phone number 866-847-7859.**
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