Emphasizing his track record as president and his immigrant-friendly policies, former President Bill Clinton promised a similar future if his wife, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, is elected Nov. 8.
Speaking at an Asian-American event titled, “Presidential Election Forum” held in Las Vegas Aug. 12, Bill Clinton pointed to Hillary Clinton’s launch of the AAPI Leadership Council, her focus on removing barriers for small business, making higher education more accessible through free education for low-income families, apprenticeship training etc.
The event organized by Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) and Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), with 40 partner organizations was held in Nevada, where according to Rep. Judy Chu, D-California, Senator Harry Reid’s 2010 election was turned into a win by the small margin of AAPI vote.
“For the first time ever, all major campaigns were represented. And it was very well attended and substantive,” Shekar Narasimhan, founder of the Super PAC, AAPI Victory Fund, told News India Times. President Bill Clinton, Donald Trump surrogate and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson, and Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein addressed more than 2,500 journalists and community leaders gathered at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The event was live-streamed and at least 20 watch-parties were held around the country, organizers told NBCnews.com.
Indian-Americans have been active in the voter registration and turnout drives in swing states like Virginia also to raise their political profile, Narasimhan said. A Hillary Clinton supporter, Narasimhan, a businessman from Virginia, has been active in focusing on Indian and Asian-American voters where they live and on the issues they care about, he said, such as Wayne County, North Carolina, Northern Virginia “where we have a sizable Indian-American populations and are key for a Democratic win.” Issues that move Indian-American voters, he said include jobs and the economy, education, immigration reform, gun control, U.S.-India relations, and women’s issues.
“From Southeast Asia to the Indian subcontinent to Native Hawaiians, the AAPI community represents a heritage and history that spans the globe,” said APIAVote founding board member Daphne Kwok, quoted in a press release.
Trump surrogate Reyes, of Filipino heritage, had to field tough questions on why Trump classified Philippines as a “terrorist nation” saying the presidential candidate meant only the “terrorist element” and not the whole nation.
“What Mr. Trump was trying to communicate, and I have the full authority to make this clarification, is that he welcomes law-abiding Filipinos who want to come and have a better life and better opportunities, whether they want to live here or send money back to the Philippines,” Reyes is quoted saying in the LasVegasSun.com. Reyes explained why he was a Republican to a crowd dominated by Democrats. “We may not agree on everything. Some of you we might not agree on anything. But it’s important we come and listen, with humility and respect,” he said.
Third-party presidential candidates Johnson and Stein at a question-and-answer session, explained their positions on issues. Calling it one of the “craziest” elections ever, Johnson appealed to independent-minded voters to break with their parties and support him. The issues he addressed included legalizing marijuana and free trade.
Green Party candidate Stein said she is fighting for a “Green New Deal” and the critical importance of the environment and rising sea levels especially for Asian and Pacific Islander countries. “The key thing here is to have a national leader who’s actually telling the truth about the No. 1 true emergency of the climate,” Stein is quoted saying in LasVegasSun. com.
She made the case for solar energy for every home and government support to make that possible. Democracy, Stein said, “needs a moral compass,” and asked those disillusioned by this election cycle, to vote for her.
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