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Democrats court South Asian Americans
Democrats are feting over 200 South Asian Americans, mainly Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, who could help the party regain its majority in Congress.
Democratic senators have feted over 200 South Asian Americans, mainly Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, who could help the party regain its majority in Congress and take back the White House.
This "celebration of the South Asian American community", as the Democratic Party's Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) called it, saw a stream of senators appearing to address an enthusiastic crowd.
"We are not trying to divide South Asia, we are trying to bring them together," declared Sen. John Corzine, who is credited with organising this event. "John Kerry is a uniter and not a divider."
Sen. Daniel Akaka, the only Asian in the Senate, said he was delighted to be with South Asians. "Knowing that some of you are known as Indian Americans, Pakistani Americans, and Bengali Americans - what's great is we are a new fabric of America made up of people like you."
The alleged divisiveness of Republicans is a theme that's been played up after former president Bill Clinton, in a landmark speech, said "They (Republicans) need a divided America - we don't."
Uma Sengupta, a delegate from Queens, New York; Shri Shailendra, Vinod Gupta and Shahid Ahmed Khan, all Democratic Party activists, were honoured with awards from the DSCC and made members of the DSCC Board of Trustees.
Sen. Tim Johnson thanked South Asians for helping build strong relations with India and Pakistan.
"It is wonderful to see the coming together of Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. It is exactly what John Kerry is wanting to do," Sen. Johnson said. "We know America wants to play a constructive role in that region."
Khan, national finance co-chair for Kerry, spoke emotionally about issues facing minorities as he accepted the award. "You know, the impact of this White House. And this president is not naïve, he is dangerous. Tell everybody the way your rights are being violated," he asserted.
Rep. Joseph Crowley, co-chair of the Caucus for India and Indian Americans in Congress, and later Rep. Gary Ackerman, both from New York, lauded the grassroots work being done by Sengupta.
Sen. Tom Harkin also made an appearance, spending more time schmoozing with South Asian guests than speaking at the podium.
"The South Asian community has lent great strength to our city and our country," Ackerman said.
Sen. Paul Sarbanes also addressed the gathering, as did Sen. Debbie Stavenaugh of Michigan, a swing state for Democrats.
This was one of the meetings among Asian Americans where Pakistani Americans were almost equal to Indians in numbers. Several local residents of Boston and outlying areas also came to the reception.
Other notables who came to be seen by South Asians - who have raised significant sums for the Democratic Party apart from working at local levels and as volunteers - included New York state Senator Malcolm Smith; New York City Council member Robert Jackson, New Hampshire State Senator Lou D'Allesandro and Pakistan's Acting Ambassador Mohammed Sadiq.
