Presidential candidates address APIA issues

Clinton, Obama speak on issues at town hall, McCain no-shows

By Joe Nguyen, AsiaXpress.com

June 3, 2008

IRVINE, CALIF. – Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama spoke on Asian-American issues while John McCain declined an invitiation to the APIAVote Presidential Town Hall May 17 at the Bren Events Center on the University of California, Irvine campus.

Clinton gave prepared answers over a live satellite video feed and Obama answered questions on a call that was broadcast to the crowd at the events center. According to Assemblyman Van Tran, R-Calif., McCain was unable to participate because he was in New York, making an appearance on "Saturday Night Live."

"America has become more diverse," Obama said. "It wants to become more diverse."

Clinton and Obama addressed several issues ranging from immigration reform to education.

Immigration reform
Clinton said that the current laws in the U.S. are badly in need of reform. She said the country needs a system that is fair, puts undocumented immigrants on track for citizenship and reunites families. She said that there are 1.5 million Asians that are caught in a backlog.

Obama said he's been a strong advocate for comprehensive reform. He urged minority organizations to work together to revamp immigration laws and said that there is a need to break the logjam in immigration today.

"Help project a different image of what America is," he said. "One that is inclusive."

Heathcare
Clinton said that she will look to provide $50 million for culturally competent programs. She also pledged to to make sure affordable healthcare is available to all Americans and that people will not lose their coverage if they cannot afford it.

Obama said that there are not enough interpreters currently work to help with language-barrier problems. He said that he would make sure that there are nurses and doctors coming from under-represented groups by providing more scholarships. He added that he would increase taxes on everyone making more than $200,000 a year in order to subsidize a universal healthcare system that would be implemented before the end of his first term if elected.

Senior-level Asian Americans on staff
Clinton said she would commit to have a diverse staff, and would hire and promote qualified APIAs throughout the government in order to make sure that they have a strong voice and role in her administration.

Obama also said he would include senior level APIAs in his admistration.

"Nobody has a better track record on this issue," he said.

Education

Clinton said that there cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach in education. She added that measuring student achievement on the individual level would help all students.

Obama said that many APIAs are finding it difficult to succeed in the current educational system and pledged that there would be $4,000 for every student, every year.

Foreclosure

Clinton said that she would increase access to federally backed loans, adding that she was the first of the candidates to support financial reforms to help families. She called for a stimulus package to refinance programs and said the goal is for all Americans to have access to affordable housing.

U.S. Commitment to Reconciliation with Native Hawaiians
Obama acknowledged that there has been a history of neglect and violations to the native Hawaiians, and added that he is a strong supporter of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act. The stated purpose of the act is "to provide a process for the reorganization of the single Native Hawaiian governing entity and the reaffirmation of the special political and legal relationship between the United States and that Native Hawaiian governing entity for purposes of continuing a government-to-government relationship."

Many in the audience left the events center after California Assemblyman Van Tran announced that McCain, who was initially scheduled to make a phone call, would not be speaking.

The event followed a daylong forum focusing on APIA issues.

The night's activities included performances from APIA entertainers including dance troupe Kaba Modern, spoken-word artist Beau Sia and musical group Seriously.

According to its website, APIAVote is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that encourages and promotes civic participation of Asian Pacific Islander Americans in the electoral and public policy processes at the national, state and local levels.

Joe Nguyen is the editor in chief of AsiaXpress.com. Joe can be reached at joe (at) asiaxpress.com.