South Asian Group aids in Obama’s Iowa win

The South Asian Friends of Obama (SAFO) claimed victory with Obama and his campaign this past Thursday in Iowa. The group, led by enthusiastic young Indian Americans, played an important role in canvassing and getting out the vote efforts. Since this summer SAFO volunteers in Chicago made calls to people in Iowa to support Obama.

Motivated by the recent Iowa win, SAFO has already mobilized to duplicate the Iowa efforts in New Hampshire, where a group of SAFO volunteers are already on the ground. In addition a series of meetings have been planned for the February 5 elections in states with a higher Indian American population like California, New York and New Jersey.

Read the full article here and check out SAFO's site here.

Clinton and Obama Tie in NH: What the Poll Really Tells Us

CNN has just reported that the a recent CNN/WMUR poll from the Granite State shows Clinton and Obama tied up around 30%. With other polls that continue to come out stating Clinton is on top by 3 or Obama leads by 6, the truth is the actual numbers here mean nothing. With margin of error these polls show how irrelevant the numbers actually are but they do tell us another story, this election is in no way over. In most cases this is just heating up...over the course of the last 24 hours I have received over a dozen emails from different representatives at all levels in both camps saying the same thing....THEY NEED SUPPORTERS TO GET OUT THERE!

The polls tell us that the election is very close and truly in this one every vote does matter in Iowa and New Hampshire where the tie is essentially three ways with John Edwards still in the mix. And if Edwards does win in Iowa or finishes a close second NH polls will all go to the dust and it will be a fighting chance along with South Carolina. People are really starting to tune in now with less than a month to go before the January 3rd Iowa caucus and every campaign is looking for the same thing. Volunteer or Donate...this is one race where every penny, every phone call, every door and every vote really matter because the momentum and the election are all still very much in the air.

There are about 8000 Indian Americans in both Iowa and New Hampshire, many of which in key precincts where a couple hundred votes could easily swing the election. Now is the opportunity to get out there.

If you live in NH and Iowa I recommend you:

• Learn and find a candidate whose policies and issues you agree with
  
• Take a Saturday and go out volunteer & help campaign

VOTE
This is one election where I promise you every vote does matter!

If you don't live in an early primary states I recommend you:

• Learn and find a candidate whose policies and issues you agree with
• Call your local DNC and Check the Candidates site to see how you can help!
• Make a contribution to the candidates, EVERY PENNY MATTERS so your $15 dollar donation could help pay for a 1000 flyers to support your candidate in New Hampshire
  

If you already are helping comment below and tell us how...

Varun

Poll: Obama, Huckabee take lead in Iowa

Obama, Huckabee on upswing in Iowa

Republican, Democratic races still a dogfight as 2008 caucuses near

Would an Obama victory mean a generational shift in the political activism of the Indian American Community?

The Democrats within the Indian American community have supported the campaign of Sen. Clinton in overwhelming numbers, the support that Sen. Obama has received has predominantly been from the 2nd generation of the Indian American community. If Sen. Obama would end up winning it would mean a generational shift iwithin the Indian American community since the 2nd generation would have come on its ownn by being very active in the campaign and also providng contributions to his campaign. Today the 2nd generation of Indian Americans who are professionals like lawyers, accountants, venture capitalists and others have the desire and the means to be politically active and understand the political system!.

Changing the Electorate to Regional Primaries?

CNN recently reported an interesting story on there might be a move for the NEXT general election to move to a REGIONAL primary system instead of the state based approach that exists today. Three US senators are proposing a regional rotating primary which wouldn't put such emphasis on two states, NH and Iowa, and would prevent the show down that states like Michigan and Florida are putting up against both of the Parties to move up their primary date.

The NH, Iowa system has been something that has become a part of our electorate and really allows candidates to give a grassroots feel for themselves giving voters a good opportunity to meet, hear and understand the community. I have been working very closely in NH and have many friends working for campaigns in both states, and the political culture is deep rooted in both unlike most of the rest of the country.

USINPAC has setup grassroots field operations up there and with nearly 10,000 Indian Americans, some local leaders come out to say that we are a force to be reckoned with. The true focus should be more at the national level on all candidates by the media and the press which typically gives unrestricted access to the candidates that help and benefit them the most. Although I understand when critics say NH and Iowa have to much access, I don't think that people in many other states would actually care the way locals in these two states do. I think this may be a good debate and discussion, and will hopefully in turn get more people involved in the political process.

Thanks,

Varun