PREZ RACE: Desi Spotting at the DNC

[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.**

Post your comments below.

Comments

[PDiddy]

unbelievable... prominent democrats continue to demonize India ("Bangalored"?) for their own political purposes and American desis continue in their blind allegiance to the party. it just shocks me. how can Desis support a party and platform that discriminates against their ethnicity (affirmative action) and now even vocally demonizes them? we are effete and clueless as an ethnic group.

[Rajen Anand]

In 1988 when I was first elected as delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta, only a handful of delegates who could trace their roots to India were present. With each subsequent convention (1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004) the number was increasing at a very slow pace. Only the die-hard Desi Democrats ran for elections to become delegates. This year, it was different and indeed heart warming to see so many Desi young professionals who have never before been involved in politics at the convention in Denver. There were 37 elected delegates coming from all over the United States. In addition, there was a large number of non-delegates who traveled to Denver. Some of them were able to get credentials through their contacts at the DNC or Obama campaign, others were guest of the Finance Committee for donating large sums of money to the Democratic National Committe. I had never seen such a large gathering of Indian Americans at any prior political convention. These people seem to be passionate about electing a Democrat as President.

At every convention, there had been a small reception for the Indian delegates, but this year, the IALI put together a SUPERB show. I could not help comparing this event organized by young professionals to the events organized by my generation. The IALI event attracted a large number of Indian Americans who were not delegates and still traveled long distance to come to Denver. The program was well planned and was very informative. It attracted a large contingent of media, both press and TV. There was complete absence of rivalary or any form of jealousy among the organizers often seen at such events organized by the first generation. The baggage of religion or regionalism brought by the older Desis was pleasantly missing.

The Indian American Delegates were a mixture of well seasoned and young individuals. The Obama delegates were mostly new and younger in age. The Hillary Delegates were mostly older and experienced political activists. In the end, they were all impressed by speaches by Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden and of course by Barack Obama. All Indian American Delegates left Denver with a resolve to support Obam-Biden ticket and work very hard to defeat Republicans, in order to bring peace abroad, prosperity at home, and restore the good reputation of the US in the world.

After attending 6 Democratic Conventions, I was overwhelmed with joy to see so many Indian Americans of the second generation. They should be grateful to all those who came before them and struggled to have their presence felt. It was indeed very lonesome at such gatherings.

Go Obama!

Rajen Anand

[Vikas Chowdhry]

There is a reason why Indian-Americans support Democrats. Indian-Americans are not begotten to (and in fairness should not be expected to) India's interests - they are looking at self-interest. You'd be surprised to hear how vehemently some Indian-Americans in the tech industry oppose the H1B visas. Given that background - the Democratic party and its agenda fits their platform perfectly, unlike the Republican party which expects everyone to have a fair chance in the market.

Of course there are other reasons as well. The Republican party is identified with pro-conservative Christian thinking so not many Indian-Americans are attracted by it.

[Jaya Kamlani]

Rajan Anand,

I appreciate your end note to remind the young Indian-Americans of those who came before them. QUOTE "After attending 6 Democratic Conventions, I was overwhelmed with joy to see so many Indian Americans of the second generation. They should be grateful to all those who came before them and struggled to have their presence felt. It was indeed very lonesome at such gatherings." UNQUOTE.... I don't know how long you have been in the U.S., but I have been here five months shy of FOUR decades.

I recall attending Bill Clinton's rally at the San Jose State University, California, when he was campaigning for the 1992 presidential election. I was not a delegate, but feeling faint under the blazing sun on the college grounds, I requested the guard to let me stand in the shade where the delegates were assembled. I was allowed a free pass and an African-American woman told me I could hold one end of her Clinton/Gore banner and cheer for Bill Clinton. I went along with her suggestion, because that's what all the delegates by the podium were doing.

I was not enthused by Hillary Clinton's presidential bid this time, first because she reminded us that we better get used to outsourcing. When she realized that her outsourcing message was not well received by Americans, she trumpted granting amnesty to all illegal immigrants, which I was not in favor of, then she went very negative with her campaign by her attacks on Obama, which I thought were uncalled for. Although I generally stand up for women, I was not impressed by Hillary's presidential campaign. However, I am glad her supporters have moved to the Obama camp, for I fervently support Obama. I also hope our Indian-American delegates do not start lobbying our Congressmen for their pet projects. We have to think what is good for the country and for all Americans, not just for a few rich Indian-Americans with special agendas.

Regardless of who becomes our next President -- Obama or McCain -- I hope we can all unite to make America the great country it was only eight years ago.

Jaya Kamlani

[Rajen Anand]

I came to the United States of America in 1963 as a student to U.C. Davis with $8.00 in my pocket. That is all the government of India permitted me to carry with me. I did not have money to pay the air fare to the United State. I traveled on a Lufthansa plan of fly now pay later. On September 1, 2008 I have completed 45 years, i.e virtually all my adult life in this country, but I still have an Indian accent, for I learned to speak English in India itself.

Rajen Anand

[Jaya Kamlani]

Rajen Anand,

Nice to have made your acquaintance. Now I don't feel like the old kid on the SAJA Forum block. If you came to U.S. in 1963, I guess you were dancing to the Beatles music on the U.C. Davis campus, while I was dancing to them at St. Xavier's College in Bombay.

You mentioned that you still have an Indian accent. I must admit I too have a slight touch of an Indian accent, which I believe makes it more charming, because then people ask you where you are from and that can begin a good conversation. You also stated that you had no money to buy your airfare to U.S. QUOTE "I traveled on a Lufthansa plan of fly now pay later." UNQUOTE ... That makes Lufthansa airlines way ahead of its times. I too came to New York with eight dollars in my pocket, because that's all the Indian customs permitted you to carry on you back then.

I guess you are going to be working hard the next two months to get Obama elected. Look forward to hear from you on the forum regarding the elections. Both presidential candidates are honorable men, but have different policies to get the economy going. May the best man win.

Jaya Kamlani