Asian Americans for Obama Weekly Web Release - 8/21/08
Asian Americans for Obama is a grassroots organization of concerned Asian Americans from all over the country who are working to help elect Senator Barack Obama as the next president of the United States. Though our coalition includes members of diverse ethnic, cultural, linguistic, class and gender backgrounds, we are united in the belief that Senator Barack Obama is the best candidate to bring this country together and enact change for all Americans.
Part of our mission has been to communicate the support for Senator Barack Obama within the Asian American community, particularly through new media/blog outlets. You have received this press release because we believe you are a powerful voice on the blogosphere and we hope you will find in this release writings, news stories, and link of interest to your readership. We hope that you will post on your blog some or all of the links included in this release.
To learn more about Asian Americans for Obama, join our mailing list and Facebook group, or donate, please visit the following:
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Campaign News
Campaign Announces Expanded AAPIs for Obama Leadership Council
On August 9, the Obama campaign announced in a press release new members of the Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) for Obama Leadership Council, a group that was established in October 2007.
Governor Howard Dean Announces DNC South Asian American Leadership Council
On August 7, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean announced the appointment of four Co-Chairs for the DNC's South Asian American Leadership Council.
From the Blogosphere/Grassroots
"In Tagalog, Obama Means Hope"
On August 19th, more than 150 community leaders, advocates, elected officials, artists and professionals rallied together in downtown San Francisco to launch the efforts of Filipinos for Obama to unify the pinoy vote behind Barack Obama.
India Independence Day Voter Registration Events
On August 16, AAPI grassroots groups hosted at least 16 voter registration events across 12 states, coinciding with India's and Pakistan's Independence Day celebrations.
Kal Penn Stumps for Obama in Virginia
On August 11, Asian Americans for Obama and South Asians for Obama hosted a special event with Kal Penn in northern Virginia at the home of Toby Chaudhuri and Ruby Roy.
Filipinos for Obama March for Hope
On August 9, the Filipinos for Obama effort hit the streets to spread the message that Senator Obama is the candidate for the Filipino American Community.
One Page Supporter Flyers in Tagalog Available
Download in PDF or Word from the Asian Americans for Obama Supporter Toolkit.
Other News
Obama's Brother-In-Law Taking It All In Stride
How would you cope if you were the brother-in-law of a man who might become the next president of the United States? That's the scenario facing Burlington-native Konrad Ng, 34. The Honolulu resident, who left Burlington after he graduated from Nelson High School, is married to Maya Soetoro, the half-sister of Democratic hopeful Barack Obama.
Are Asians the New Invisible Man?
Huffington Post columnist John Ridley asks, "[W]hy don't we hear more about and from Asians when it comes to race in America? Are Asians the new Invisible Man?"
Crouching Voter, Hidden Direction
Newsweek discusses the role of Asian American voters in the upcoming general election.
Nationwide Asian American Platform for Change Meeting
The Huffington Post’s Jonah Lalas writes about the "AAPI Platform for Change National Call," a national conference call focusing on Asian American, South Asian and Pacific Islander issues as part of Barack Obama's "Listening to America: the Democratic Platform for Change" initiative.
For the Indians in the US, it's striking a chord—Obama is 'one of us'
Barack Obama is resolutely tapping into "America's genius" to absorb newcomers, forging a captivating identity out of a group of children of recent immigrants, at the centre of which are a clutch of Indian Americans.
South Asian Americans Could Make Obama President
Popular Indian American actor Kal Penn, a surrogate for the Obama campaign, argues that South Asian Americans can be the swing vote in November's presidential election.
Korean American Voters Overwhelmingly Support Obama
In a recent poll conducted by The Korea Daily, Korean American voters overwhelmingly back Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) over Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
Asian American Republican Expelled from Party for Backing Obama
Jan Ting, a tax law professor at Temple University and the GOP's nominee for US Senate in Delaware in 2006, has been expelled from his position in the state GOP for "quietly supporting" Sen. Obama for president.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Briefing on Electoral Power of AAPI Vote
Time: 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm (Doors open at 12:00 pm for networking & program begins at 1:00 pm)
Place: Hyatt Regency Denver, Capitol Room 2&3, 650 15th Street, Denver, CO
Hosts: CO AAPI Democrats, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress, Asian American Action Fund, DNC Vice Chair Congressman Michael M. Honda (CA-15), and Obama for America AAPI Vote Team
RSVP: AAPIColoradoSummit@gmail.com
Join local Colorado and national community leaders and activists in this three-part summit that will engage attendees about the rise of AAPI participation in the electoral process, the Obama AAPI Vote Team Toolkit, critical issues and policies of the AAPI community, and the AAPI Voter messaging. This event is open to the public.
Monday, August 25, 2008
DNC APIA Caucus Meeting Official DNC Event
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Place: Colorado Convention Center, Four Seasons 4, 700 14th Street, Downtown Denver
RSVP: jianiza@gmail.com
Interested in how the AAPI community is bringing change? Come find out how the AAPI Vote Team and the Obama National AAPI Executive plan to engage the AAPI community and deliver 270 electoral votes for Barack Obama. Also, meet and discuss with AAPI candidates and elected officials from across the country about their experience. Finally, learn about the latest trends and strategies to increase AAPI civic participation, including AAPI youth engagement.
Asian Pacific American Power Hour
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Place: Marriott Hotel City Center, Mattie Silks Room, 1701 California St., Denver CO
Host: AAA Fund
RSVP: helentran@aaa-fund.org
Join us for a dialogue on how to empower your state's APA outreach and how APAs can tip every battleground state blue. Discussion will be led by Rep. Mike Honda, Candidate for Congress Ashwin Madia (MN), and key APA players in the Obama campaign and Campaign for Change.
Indian American Leadership Initiative Reception
Time: 3:00 – 5:30 pm
Place: Denver Athletic Club, 1325 Glenarm Place, Denver, CO
RSVP: http://www.ialeadership.com
APIAVote Gala Reception Living the Dream: Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Political Leadership
Time: 8:00 pm – 12:00 am
Place: Marriott City Center, Main Ballroom, Downtown Denver
RSVP: rsvp@apiavote.org or (202) 223-9170
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
AAPI Grassroots Strategy Session With Special Guest Congressman Michael M. Honda
Time: 2:00 pm– 4:00 pm
Place: Colorado Convention Center, Korbel Ballroom 3A, 700 14th Street, Downtown Denver
Hosts: Asian Pacific Americans for Progress, Asian Americans for Obama, & South Asians for Obama
RSVP: apafp@apaforprogress.org
Come join Asian Pacific Americans for Progress, Asian Americans for Obama and South Asians for Obama for a special session geared towards the grassroots. In addition to discussing fundraising and voter registration, we'll be brainstorming specific swing state projects for the Fall. Free and open to the public.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
DNC APIA Caucus Meeting Official DNC Event
Time: 10:00 am – 12 pm
Place: Colorado Convention Center, Korbel 4, 700 14th Street, Downtown Denver
RSVP: jianiza@gmail.com
Want to start working for change NOW? Come receive and learn about your AAPI organizing toolkit. In addition, find out about the new Neighborhood Leader Program that will help you organize from home. Finally, hear from AAPI community leaders about the best community organizing they have accumulated from experience.
Ka Leo O AAPI Obama Weekly Newsletter
The Obama for America campaign has launched Ka Leo O AAPI, a newsletter for the Asian American & Pacific Islander community. Sign up at MyBarackObama to receive the newsletter, plus all the latest news, happenings, events, and more from the Obama campaign's AAPI Vote team. The August 22nd edition is now available for download.
For earlier editions, please see the following links:
August 8th
August 1st
July 25th
July 18th
July 11th
Multimedia
New GOTV PSA from CAUSE Featuring Kelly Hu and George Takei
George Takei, Kelly Hu and George Huang -- three incredible industry pioneering talents -- donated their valuable time and led a phenomenal crew in creating an AAPI-targeted get-out-the-vote public service announcement for the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment, or CAUSE. Help us honor the labor and love invested by Kelly Hu, George Takei, George Huang and Charlie Woo by visiting the YouTube video page. Add a supportive comment, add it to your favorites, give it five stars and forward it to your friends!
Maya Soetoro-Ng Speaks to the Chinese American Community
Sen. Obama's amazing sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, speaks to the Chinese American community about the importance of this year's election and her brother's candidacy in this YouTube video.
Cross-posted at Asian Americans for Obama