Why I Hate API Candidates

After over 20 years of working in politics, I have come to hate my own people when it comes to campaigns.  With a few notable exceptions, here are five of the reasons why we suck at politics and why I hate most API candidates.

1) They don't understand relationships.  It's ironic that if you take any East Asian business class, they will hammer into you that the biggest factor in the success of an Asian business venture is cultivating relationships.  In fact, the Chinese have a term for it: Guanxi.  Maybe the APIs who are in politics are there because they would never make it in business.  Many of the API candidates I meet with have utterly horrible people skills and they do absolutely nothing to build relationships.  I met with one candidate that ask me to help him get support from other API electeds.  I asked him why they should support him and he replied, "because I'm Asian."  I'm all for Asian pride, but then I asked the candidate, "well, you're a rich Asian guy...did you support any of the APIs that are in office now when they were running?"  He said unashamedly that "No, it wasn't a priority for me then."  Well, no surprise - his race was not a priority for most of the APIs already in elected office.

2) They think everyone loves a good resume.  Campaigns are not like getting into grad school.  Just because you went to Harvard, Cal, USC, or Stanford doesn't mean you're going to win.  Your resume has nearly next to nothing to do with winning a race.  Campaigns are a popularity contest, not a spelling bee.  You could have the cure for cancer, but if a voter doesn't want to have a beer with you, you're not going to win on election day.

3) They think too much.  Stop thinking.  It isn't your job.  It's the job of your campaign team.  Go out there and shake hands, kiss babies, and save your neighbor from a burning building.  If you wanted to do campaign strategy, then be a campaign consultant - not a candidate.  I don't care if you can build the Enterprise Space Shuttle from scratch, you're best served by letting campaign professionals do their job.

4) They think one election success is scalable.  Just because you got to where you are doesn't mean you have what it takes to get you to where you want to go.  A lot of API local electeds get it in their head that winning a local race is as simple as winning a legislative or congressional race.  Perhaps if you won in Los Angeles or San Francisco, but not in Suburbanville, USA.  Not to say local elected officials don't matriculate up, but the smart ones run professional campaigns suited for the office they're running for.

5) They believe in strategy by committee.  It's better to go with one imperfect strategy than pursue numerous allegedly perfect strategies.  Most API candidates that I meet believe there is some magic formula for winning.  Either they waste costly amounts of time trying to ask every professional they know how to run a campaign or they decide that they will put their own personal genius to work and come up with a campaign strategy.  Neither is a good idea.  There are infinite strategies that could get you to the finish line.  Pick one and go for it.  Besides, it's not rocket science.  You win if you reach voters.  You reach voters by raising money for mail/radio/TV, targeting your mail/radio/TV, canvassing and phonebanking - period.

DNC Invests In AAPI Bank

Democratic National Convention Committee Announces Deposit of Funds in  
Asian American-Serving Bank

CHARLOTTE – The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) announced the investment of a $500,000 convention deposit into East West Bank, a community bank serving the Asian American community.  The funds were deposited in a non-interest bearing account, to help the bank expand their lending and economic development efforts across the southeast region.

With each convention, the Democratic National Convention Committee has deposited a portion of its federal grant in minority-owned banks in the city where the convention is being held.  The tradition aims to provide local business institutions and their customers with financial and public support in advance of the convention.  The DNCC also deposited funds in a North Carolina African American and Latino community bank.

“The DNCC is proud to make a third investment that will create opportunities for the Asian American community,” said DNCC CEO Steve Kerrigan.  “The convention seeks to engage all Americans and this deposit will help us achieve our goal.”

Headquartered in California, East West Bank has branches across the country.  The DNCC deposit was made at the Georgia branch, one of the closest branches to Charlotte and the Democratic National Convention.

“East West Bank appreciates the DNCC’s deposit and the opportunity to offer financial services to a wider range of customers.  We will use these funds to increase our community outreach work and expand our lending and economic development efforts,” said East West Bank’s Chairman and CEO Dominic Ng.

Congressman Mike Honda, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee also expressed the following, “The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is an important part of our national fabric, and we hope all our AAPI brothers and sisters will participate in the convention this September.  This deposit is another example of the Democratic National Convention Committee’s commitment to diversity and to ensuring that the voices of all Americans are heard.”

The Democratic National Convention Committee is committed to engaging Americans of all backgrounds.  As part of an unprecedented diversity contracting policy, the convention established a goal of at least one-third aggregate spending with Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), Disability-Owned Businesses, LGBT-Owned Businesses and Veteran-Owned Businesses for its contracts and projects.

About East West Bank
East West Bank is a full-service commercial bank serving consumers and businesses.   East West Bank prides itself on being the financial bridge between the East and the West by providing uniquely tailored products, services and expertise to help Asian immigrants integrate fully into American life -- as home owners, business owners, community volunteers and philanthropists.  By fully utilizing  investments, loan products, and community service activities, East West Bank helps people help themselves and provides communities – either directly or indirectly – the resources needed for sustained progress.  The bank’s headquarters are in California, with a southeast location in Georgia where the DNCC deposit was made.


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CA Primary Update

Overall a pretty good night for AAPIs in California's June Primary...

Moving on to November State Assembly & Senate seat runoffs: Mariko Yamada (AD4), Richard Pan (AD9), Rob Bonta (AD18), Phil Ting (AD19), Jennifer Ong (AD20), Paul Fong (AD28), Das Williams (AD37), Ed Chau (AD49), Al Muratsuchi (AD66), and Carol Liu (SD25).

Of note, Phil Ting smashed son of US Supreme Court Justice Steven Breyer in San Francisco effectively dismissing any doubts caused by Ting's poor showing in the SF Mayoral race.  It appears that Chinese American voters closed ranks and came home to support the Chinese American candidate.  Bonta also performed well as the top vote getter in AD 18.

On the negative side, poor turnout numbers for Al Muratsuchi and Ed Chau should worry Democrats in AD66 and AD49, respectively.  Super PAC supported former GOP and newly minted "independent" candidate Chad Walsh came in closer than he should have to Assemblyman Paul Fong in AD28.  Non-profit executive Sid Voorakkara failed to make the runoff in San Diego's 79th Assembly District.

Legislative races too close to call at this time: Phil Tateishi (AD8), Joe Dovinh (AD72).

In Congressional races, Dr. Ami Bera, Ricky Gill, and Mark Takano are the newcomers that will challenge for a seat in November.  Incumbents Mike Honda, Judy Chu and Doris Matsui cruised to victories but will still face runoffs in November. 

Outlier Congressional races where AAPI candidates face heavy odds against winning because of the partisan make up of the district include Jay Chen in CA-39, Otto Lee in CA-22, and Sukhee Kang in CA-45.

It now appears that Fresno's first Hmong City Councilman Blong Xiong has failed to make it to the runoff in November. 

Support EMERGE

Announcement:

Join EMERGE at The W Hotel!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

10th Anniversary
Emerge California Event

6:30pm – 8:30pm
VIP & General Reception 6:30-7:30pm
Program begins at 7:35pm
The W Hotel - 181 Third Street
San Francisco, CA 94103


Special Guest Speaker:
Democratic Leader of the
U.S. House of Representatives
for the 112th Congress

 

Special Guest Speaker:
Democratic Leader of the
U.S. House of Representatives
for the 112th Congress

And honoring the Emerge California
2012 Woman of the Year
Quinn Delaney
Founder & President of The Akonadi Foundation
 

Join the host committee today!

Presidential Level $10,000
(includes 10 tickets to the General Reception and 6 tickets
to the VIP Roundtable)

Gubernatorial Level $5,000
(includes 4 tickets to the General Reception and 4 tickets
to the VIP Roundtable)

Senatorial Level $2,500
(includes 4 ticket to the General Reception and 2 tickets to
the VIP Roundtable)

Congressional Level $1,000
(includes 2 tickets to the General Reception and 2 tickets
to the VIP Cocktail Reception)

Future Leaders Sponsor Level $250

(includes 2 tickets to the General Reception and sponsorship
of one student or young woman to attend the event)

General Tickets
City Council Level $100
(includes 1 ticket to the General Reception)

This event will sell out; reserve your spot today!

 

Special VIP round table discussion with Leader Pelosi and listing in the invitation for Host Committee members giving or raising $1000, $2500, $5000, or $10,000. To join the host committee sign up here. For more information contact Kimberly Ellis at (510) 986-0445 or via email at kimberly@emergeca.org

 

300 attendees at API Summit plenary session

Who will be the Jeremy Lin of this year's political game of thrones?

2012 will be one of the most competitive elections for AAPIs in U.S. history.  In California alone, 8 AAPIs are viable candidates for open State Assembly seats and at least 3 AAPIs have the potential to be elected in Congressional seats that are not currently held by AAPIs.  Nationally, 3 AAPI women are making waves in high profile seats in Congress.

California is currently home to 11 AAPIs elected to the Legislature, 3 to the U.S. House of Representatives, and 4 constitutional officers.  4 of the AAPIs in the Legislature will be leaving office at the end of this year due to term limits (Mike Eng, Warren Furutani, Mary Hayashi, & Fiona Ma).  AAPI candidates are poised to replace 3 of the 4 departing incumbents.  Attorney and school board member Ed Chau (D) is running to replace Mike Eng in the 49th AD, Dr. Jennifer Ong (D) is running to replace Mary Hayashi in the 20th AD, and Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting (D) is running to replace Ma in the 19th AD.

In other open Assembly seats, Peter Tateishi (R) is running in the 8th AD, Torrance School Board member Al Muratsuchi (D) is running in the 66th AD, Alameda City Councilman Rob Bonta (D) is running in the 18th AD, OC Board of Education member Long Pham (R) is running in the 72nd AD, and Sid Voorakkara (D) is running in the 79th AD.  There are a number of other AAPIs running for legislative seats, but their fundraising numbers and lack of political experience make them less viable to win.

[Ad: Help elect AAPIs in California, click here]

Potential Congressional seat pick-ups for AAPIs include Dr. Ami Bera (D) in CD 7, Riverside Community College Trustee Mark Takano (D) in CD 41, and Fresno City Councilman Blong Xiong (D) in CD 21.  In addition, underdog efforts to unseat incumbent members of Congress include Hacienda La Puente School Board Trustee Jay Chen (D) in CD 39, Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang in CD 45, and decorated Iraqi war veteran Otto Lee (D) in CD 22.

AAPIs running for re-election in California include Doris Matsui (D-CD 6), Mike Honda (D-CD 17), Judy Chu (D-CD 27), Carol Liu (D-SD 25), Mariko Yamada (D-AD 4), Dr. Richard Pan (D-AD 9), Paul Fong (D-AD 28), and Das Williams (D-AD 37).

Nationally, the hottest races for AAPIs include U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono for U.S Senate in Hawaii, Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard for U.S House of Representatives in Hawaii, Decorated war veteran Tammy Duckworth for U.S House of Representatives in Illinois, and Assembly Member Grace Meng for U.S House of Representatives in New York.  Also, U.S. Rep. Hanson Clark will have a tough re-elect because redistricting put him into a district occupied by another sitting member of the U.S. House of Representatives.  Dr. Manan Trivedi (D) recently was added to DCCC's Red to Blue list, indicating that he will have a good chance of taking the Republican held seat in PA 6.  Connecticut legislator William Tong's race for U.S. Senate has raised a significant war chest and received some national buzz as the "Asian Obama", but key factions of the political establishment has backed the candidate who currently serves in the U.S. House of Representatives.

[Ad: What AAPI political action committee has donated over $300,000 to help elect AAPI candidates in California?  Answer: click here.]

Politics is the one of the most elite and merciless arenas of competition in the world.  AAPIs have excelled in many things, but it still seems that we haven't quite got our groove on in the world of politics.

We can claim Pres. Obama as the first AAPI president, and despite his trailblazing efforts to raise the visibility of AAPIs and AAPI issues (such as appointing an unprecedented number of AAPI cabinet secretaries), it would be a stretch for us to say we've made it in the bare-knuckle world of politics.

Well, 2012 is as good a test of our mettle as any.  We have more legitimately viable candidates running for state and federal office than in any other time in U.S. history.  Whether we make it or break it is entirely up to you.

[Ad: Help elect AAPIs in California, click here]

State Supt. Of Public Instruction Torlakson w/ SF CC Trustee Steve Ngo