Guest guest Posted December 2, 2000 Report Share Posted December 2, 2000 >OFBJP Admin <BJP-News >vaidika1008 >[bJP News]: US presidential campaign puts spotlight on Indian >Americans >Sun, 26 Nov 2000 12:55:09 -0500 > >Title: US presidential campaign puts spotlight on Indian Americans >Author: Ralph Nurnberger >Publication: Times of India >November 26, 2000 > > >Whatever be the result of the US presidential contest, Indian Americans >have every right to be proud of their growing political achievements. The >results and lessons of the electoral campaigns should enable the community >to significantly enhance its political empowerment in the future. > >There were two very positive developments in the presidential campaigns. >First, both candidates and their parties reached out to the Indian American >community. Both Al Gore and George Bush made conscious efforts to meet >with individual Indian Americans and Indian American organizations and >both requested funds, support and votes from the million strong community. > >It is important to note that the community responded well to both >candidates. >Indian Americans gained senior positions in both campaigns, heading >grassroots >efforts in such states as Washington or community outreach from >headquarters >in Nashville and Austin. Indian physicians, high tech executives, motel >owners, educators and others were active with both campaigns. > >As a result, both campaigns raised large sums from the community and both >felt gratified by the level of support and voter turnout. The effect of >this is that Indian Americans are now viewed by both parties as allies >and important elements of their coalitions. This will set the stage for >future involvement with both parties and their candidates, as well as >provide >access so that Indian Americans will be able to present their views on >issues as they arise. > >On the Congressional level, despite the fact that there are still no Indian >Americans in the Congress and the two Indian Americans who ran were soundly >defeated, the community fared extremely well. Indian Americans have >compensated >for the lack of direct membership in Congress by working closely with the >Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, which comprises over >100 members of the House of Representatives who share concerns with the >community. > >The Caucus underscores that politics is a two-way street. Indian Americans >provide their views on specific issues to members of the Caucus. This >enables >the Caucus members to be attuned to the concerns of the community, whether >these are foreign policy matters such as relations with India, China or >Pakistan, or domestic issues such as education, taxation, healthcare or >discrimination. Simultaneously, the community assists Caucus members by >providing campaign and electoral support. > >Virtually all of the over 100 members of the Caucus ran for reelection >and only two, Representatives Sam Gejdenson and David Minge, were defeated. >In specific races, such as the close reelection of Caucus member Rush Holt, >support from the Indian American community was an essential part of the >margin of victory. Winning approximately 98 percent of these Congressional >seats sends the clear message that it is an asset for a member of Congress >to support good US relations with India as well as those issues of >importance >to the Indian American community. This should help Indian Americans across >the country to encourage their Representatives to join the Caucus when >the new Congress convenes in January. > >In all, the Indian American community did well in the 2000 elections but >the key point is that elections are the beginning of the process. Now that >new officials will soon be sworn in at local, state and national levels, >it is more important than ever for the community to build on electoral >successes and establish relationships that can ultimately affect policy >decisions. (IANS) >---- > http://www.ofbjp.org >---- >A worldwide community of BJP's friends, supporters and activists: >Friends of the BJP - Worldwide: http://www.ofbjp.org/fob >featuring Monthly Chat: Second Saturday of every month, >10 AM Eastern US time (calculate local time accordingly) >---- > > ______________________________\ _____ Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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