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Subscribe to RSSNBC's Richard Lui takes a look at how the Asian-American vote is affecting the 2012 presidential campaign.
There are plenty of different voter groups for campaigns to court during this presidential election and, this year, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders could impact the outcome in a significant way. In what has been a tight race, a relatively minor investment in these voters could pay large dividends for President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney.
There are three characteristics to consider about this slice of the electorate:
Swing State Population Levels
First, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders have reached tipping-point population levels in battleground states.
For example, in Florida, Asian-Americans (single and mixed race) are 3 percent of the population, according to the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice -- small, but Obama won the state by just 2.5 percentage points in 2008. In Nevada, Asian-Americans are 9 percent of the population; Obama won by 12.4 percentage points. And in Virginia, where they are 7 percent; Obama won by 6.3 percentage points.
Another way to look at it is to total the popular margin of victory Obama had in 2008 in the nine NBC News battleground states. That’s almost 1.6 million votes. The Asian-American population in those states in 2010 was 2.3 million. After removing children under the age 18, or about 25 percent of the population, the number of Asian-Americans in those states is greater than Obama’s 2008 margin of victory in these crucial states.
Recommended: On day of data, Romney turns personal
Though 100 percent turnout and voting unanimity is highly unlikely, Virginia and North Carolina epitomize the opportunity. Until Virginia swung blue in 2008, Republican candidates hadn't lost the state since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. In North Carolina, up until 2008, Democrats had won only one in the previous 10 elections; Obama eked out a win by only 14,000 votes. In cases like these, smaller voting blocks, like Asian-Americans tilt the outcome
Undecideds
A second characteristic to consider: Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders this year are over four times more likely to be undecided than the average voter, according to the National Asian American Survey. Jon Stewart from “The Daily Show” joked, after all the press and debate to date, you’d have to basically live in a cave not to have been able to make a choice by now. So is it that Asian-Americans are four times more aloof when it comes to politics? Though they do register to vote at a lower rate than average, 2012 is different.
Video: Obama surrogate answers town hall questions from Asian-American voters
Sixty-two percent of them voted for Obama four years ago. But this year, the economy continues to be the biggest issue in the campaign and Asian Americans who own businesses are considering their options.
Democrat Haresh Bhungalia is undecided. “You have one candidate who wants to raise taxes, which I think is appropriate – I think that that's necessary in order for us to get back on track. And then we've got one candidate talking about cutting government spending. I think that you have to do both,” Bhungalia said.
Immigration reform is the other top issue Bhungalia cares about. It’s been delayed. Like him, three out of four Asian-American adults were born in a foreign country and are watching the debate on immigration.
Recommended: Obama accuses Romney of shifting positions
The outreach to voters like Bhungalia has not matched the potential payoff. A recent study by APIAVote in association with Lake Research Partners found 23 percent of Asian-Americans had been contacted by the Democratic Party, and 17 percent by the Republican Party, in the last two years. Some community leaders believe both Obama and Romney could do more. Mee Moua of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice in Washington, D.C. says Asian-Americans need to be considered.
“As we head toward election day, candidates and political parties will step up their voter engagement efforts,” said Moua. “Those who want to succeed will recognize the importance of the Asian-American voter. Those who ignore us, do so at their own peril.”
At APIAVote’s Presidential Town Hall in Fairfax, Va., in July, neither candidate showed up, sending videos and surrogates instead. The Romney campaign had bumper stickers in several different Asian languages, and both Obama and Romney have Asian-American outreach information on their campaign websites.
Obama’s message to Asian-American voters
Romney’s message to Asian-American voters
Donation Rates
A third consideration: Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders are not afraid to use their economic muscle. (Despite being half to a third the size, the group’s combined consumer and business spending power of almost $1.2 trillion equals African-Americans and just trails Latinos.) They equaled whites for the highest rate of donation to political campaigns in the last election: 13 percent. This was higher than African-Americans (8 percent) and Latino-Americans (5 percent). As the economy faltered, Asian-Americans so far this cycle have donated at 11 percent.
These characteristics might be attractive to candidates, but there are challenges. This group is complex: representing 49 different countries of origin and more than 100 languages. And the community leaders don’t always coordinate well given their varied backgrounds and histories.
Video: Romney surrogate answers town hall questions from Asian-American voters
Joe Watkins, who was an aide to President George H.W. Bush, says there is one common denominator: “Asian-Americans like everyone else just want to be considered Americans, and when candidates reach out to them as such, as American voters, I think they're thrilled by that.”
After the landmark 2008 election, enthusiasm has ebbed. Voter ID and registration law battles across the country have cast concerns. And in places like Florida, early registration levels are less than half what they were four years ago. With such serious questions about turnout, Asian-American and Pacific Islanders could be 2012’s ultimate swing vote.
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I just got back from helping my daughter at a small city festival.. Being a election year there were of coarse both partys represented. Handing out stickers to put on you shirt is one of the favorite things.. There was during the 10 hours that I was there I noticed two things.. Romney stickers were found only on white's on the other hand Obama stickers were seen on blacks, whites and asian's. Does this mean anything don't know.. Was this a valid survey of the people.. No I was at a static point and could not see the whole crowd only the people that would walk in front of her booth..
There are two things that are generally characteristic of Asians. The don't like paying high taxes and they have a general distrust of big governent because where they came from the government would tyupically screw them. They would make good republicans.
@ plork
I'm Asian-American and a Republican. I don't hate Democrats. In fact, I like and admire almost all of the people I know, even those that are Democrats. Life is good. Try to enjoy it. You shouldn't hate Republicans, or any "group" for that matter. After all, each one of us is an individual person.
Plork, I don't think the Dims really accept anybody. It's more like pander to them for their vote. Obama has been pandering to every group out there. He opened the border to illegals and reluctantly sided with gays on same sex marriage. If history is an indicator if he is somehow reelected he will forget about those groups as soon as he is sworn into office,
i no vote obama this time....bad for family......Romney good with money. i vote him..
You can't classify "Asian Americans" as a single voting bloc. Asians from India are very different from Asians from the Philippines, are different from Asians from China (and Filipinos from the Philippines are different from those of Chinese descent from the Philippines)...and so on.
As for some commentators asserting that Asians are not inclined toward GOP...nonsense. My Asian (Chinese descent, from Philippines) in-laws are equally split between Romney and Obama.
Asian-Americans will vote for Romney/Ryan ....... they are on the side of the businessman. The Obama ticket is on the side of the 'welfare-man'. Keep your business and the economy rolling by voting for the Republicans. It is the smart ticket to prosperity.
Since Republicans are well-known to hate and fear all 'fureigners', one would think that they'd vote for Obama. Of course, I could be wrong.
Since "fureigners" can't vote, we're talking about Americans now. What's the matter, can't accept an American could look different than you?
cute jrsy. I've been reading your posts, and find you to be a tad bit hypocritical. You have no problem talking smack to people about "Obama phones" (which don't exist, program started during Reagan administration) "welfare, free stuff" etc...... ad nauseum painting democrats as "freeloaders" yet here you are sticking up for "fureigners". Take a dose of your own medicine, not only do Americans come in all races & sizes, they also have differing political and religious beliefs. None of those traits need to be denigrated. Democrats don't have all the "freeloaders" and minorities and Republicans don't have all the "taxpayers and white people.
I have always been impressed by the intelligence and work ethic of Asians, not to mention their gentleness as a whole. I just can't imagine them voting in mass for Obama...
President Obama Can't Defend an Economic Record that Has Grown Government and Enriched Special Interests While Impoverishing the Middle Class. So as President Obama struggled to defend his failed economic record in yesterday's presidential debate, but it was especially noteworthy that he was unable to defend his policies of "trickle-down government."
The truth is that Democrats' trickle-down government philosophy has repeatedly enriched special interests, from Solyndra to the drug companies that cut backrooms deals with Democrats to pass ObamaCare. But as special interests have profited from the Democrats' trickle-down government philosophy, the middle class has been suffering. President Obama struggled to defend his failed economic record in the presidential debate, but it was especially noteworthy that he was unable to defend his policies of "trickle-down government"
Another interesting note is Vice President Joe Biden told a campaign rally on Tuesday that the middle class has been buried for the past four years, just longer than President Barack Obama's time in the White House. So, How they can justify? ... raising taxes on the middle class that has been buried the last four years? I don't see how the democrats think they're so smart. Obama didn't have a teleprompter, so naturally he's an idiot without one. No doubt!
another interesting note about Biden. He just said "yes we will". Meaning taxes will be raised by 1 TRILLION if he and Obama are re elected.. So not only is middle class buried now they will even dig the grave deeper.. All said
If Joe took every dollar, and I don't mean tax, just took, every dollar from every rich person in the country, right down to the kid's allowance, it wouldn't be a trillion dollars, so that means he'd be coming after you and me next.
Yes,
Even Democrats should vote Republican. It is never too late to redeem yourselves, and admit the error of your ways. Come on in, all is forgiven.
I too would invite the democrats to join us, and vote Barry gone.
Romney has the best credentials to fix the economy. What's Obama's monthly record on unemployment under 8%...1 - 43?
He'll lead from the middle, unite us, and do a good job. Come on, even you guys have to be tired of the divisiveness.
Many Dems will come out of the darkness into the light this fall.
I'm certain that the Asian's will vote for Obama as he is the president of freedom unlike Romney who is the Devil Cassander in disguise.
"AN ASIAN....!"
Everyone knows the rest of the line from the history of Alexander the Great.
@ dwightruth... See what I mean? as usual a libtard come off with some illogical statement. Idiot!
Demoncrats are always blaming someone else for their own faults.
Obama lies more than rug that he prays to Allah on.
Obama is the Liar in Chief and his minions and the Lame Stream Media spread Obama's lies.
I find many Asian Americans are set in their ways, they are usually democrats and won't budge in their voting process, my mother was a good example. She would vote for a democrat no matter what, I believe she wasn't aware or did know the impact that a president has on the present and future of this country and her off springs. Asian Americans just seem content with their lives and if there is no interruption, they do not see a problem. I view it differently, I do not see anything positive in the future for my adult children and I believe they will have a difficult time, they do not have the same opportunities that I had growing up. I have prepared a contingency plan for my sons, which include a retirement plan, I just do not have the confidence that Obama can lead this country, and he will continue to drain what little they make and have. We are being tax to death, all the spending by Obama will have to be paid, and by cutting Social Security and Medicare, it appears to be death upon arrival for millions of Americans.
Before you vote watch the You Tube video
OBAMA; THE ROTHSCHILDS CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT.
The video reveals the truth of Obama and our government.
After you watch the video spread the word like a wild fire.
Obama's only HOPE is to CHANGE America into a third world country like Kenya where he was born.
If Obama is re-elected Obama will continue moving FORWARD to destroy America.
Asian Americans cannot stand the "entitlement class" so they should break heavily for Conservatives. They are ambitious and hard working citizens. They resent lazy other minorities who get by off the largess of the working public. Romney should sweep this segment of population.
Many Asian Americans have stressed education and also many of their parents and grandparents have faced terrible racial discrimination by white Americans. Whether or not the policies against anti-discrimination and the actions of War World II against Japanese Americans interning them in camps still resonate will be seen in this year's election.
As a Chinese American, originally from Vietnam. I don't know who to vote. Obama has not perform very good either. He always talk bad and envy about China, India's grow and contain China. China, India grow is good for that part of the world, certainly create a lot of job, opportunity, and help many people lift the living standard to working and middle class. It has no affect to us.
Talk about outsource, guys, this is global economy. The factory cannot hire American worker pay them minimum wage, workers comp, benefits, retirement, lawsuit and only make plastic stuffs sell less than pennies in U.S. That's not how the math work. Plus, many global U.S. and global companies are venturing in China to expand that part of the business. So, naturally, they would move the operations where they are efficient.
As far as who to vote. I have no idea. I want to vote a president that is good for the economy, legitimate, for the people, and not for himself or his family, peaceful, not talk bad on anyone and certainly no a warlords. The reasons we had 911 and terrorist attacks we have bad foreign affairs and create enemies. We continue to do so in many forms and shaps because many leaders in Washington get kicks back from oil, medical, construction, and defense industry. So they drum up the war talks and make everybody not peace. Wish we have third choice
Reading the comments posted on this subject is scary. The comments written by the voting public are worded and written like they were composed by a two-year old. People voting , cant't spell, can't think straight, and are motivated more by anger than passion. God help and bless America ,..we are falling apart and everyone is blaming someone else. NOBODY ,,will take personal responsibility any longer,.. Too bad.
Wow! My Japanese SIL would be foaming at the mouth about now at such stereotyping. So would the cousin by marriage from China or my possible future DIL from China. I think I would just prefer to ask them what their opinion is rather than guessing about it.
I just don't get why Republicans act like Obama is the devil. What has he done to them....under Obama
The country has gained jobs not lost them
More people have medical insurance
Taxes have gone down
Fewer troops are fighting overseas
What exactly is the issue, other than the Republicans are not in control?
The issue is you don't understand what the hell you are talking about. There are fewer people working today than 4 years ago, the unemployment rate is around 8% and probably higher after you factor in all the people who have given up looking for a job, household median income has gone down by $4300.00, our national deficit isw now in excess of 16 trilion dollars, every American citizen and even those yet to be born are currently in debt for about 186,000.00, manufacturing is in the dumps, the housing market has been destroyed, the Senate hasn't passed a budget in over 3 years, ourtroops are being slaughtered in Afghanistan in record numbers and Iran is on the verge of developing a nuclear bomb. Keep living in that fantasy world.
Meldnr: just my opinion but Obama is for Socialism and big government. I think of Socialism as surrogate parents - I'm not interested. I want to maintain America as a Republic. I prefer smaller government; the ability to make my own decisions; freedom; I thrive on healthy competition. Make no mistake, we need CHANGE in this beautiful country but right now I personally feel we are headed in the wrong direction. Just sayin, last I heard I still had that right, I sure hope I get to keep it.
The country has gained part time minimum wage seasonal jobs. This does nothing to help the chronically unemployed.
I don't know where you're getting the health care numbers from. Nothing was done to make insurance more affordable, so those who couldn't afford it before still can't afford it. Also, many employers have dropped insurance or changed the status of their employees to eliminate paying for insurance.
Some taxes have gone down temporarily, some have increased. Since the Bush cuts are set to expire and Obama cannot or will not be a leader, we are once again facing huge tax increases.
Fewer troops are fighting overseas and we have been attacked by terrorists, many troops killed, and our Ambassador was killed because of lack of security.
We are more divided as a nation than any other time. Black v white, rich v poor, religious v secular, red v blue, and Obama has chosen sides and shown he cannot be unbiased or impartial or accept responsibility.
He cannot stop spending money we don't have, has no idea how to create jobs, is unable to compromise and is more interested in securing his second term than protecting the citizens of the United States.
The issue as I see it is Obama cannot lead, will not follow, and should get out of the way and let someone else try to heal this country.
44.1 turn off Fox News. At the very beginning of the Obama Presidency the country was losing jobs at an enormous rate, his policies could not stop that on a dime like turning off a faucet. The jobs did start coming back and the country has not had a month where jobs were not increasing instead of losing. Did it ever occur to you that people that stopped looking for work just retired? The wage divide is one of the things that concerns Obama and why he wants to support the middle class instead of the top of the economic scale. Perhaps if your Republican buddies in Congress would stop fighting progress and get things passed it would be different. The housing market was destroyed under your groups control and the majority of the deficit was also caused by them. Look at any graph that shows what the deficit would have been without the Bush tax cuts and unfunded wars. Why would the Senate pass a budget that they know would go nowhere with an obstructionist congress. Iran has been on the verge of a nuclear bomb for the last 20 years and if it were up to your group not only would our armed forces be dying in Afghanistan but they would also still be dying in Iraq and now probably be dying in Iran. The people who live in a fantasy world are the same ones that think women can prevent pregnancy from rape by magic, that Obama faked his birth certificate, that the media has a liberal bias, that compromise means do things my way, that everyone is out to fake everything so Obama can win. Give me a flipping break!
Except if you're talking about black Americans, who are obviously virtually unanimously supporting Obama due to his excellent performance on employment in their communities.
Not the ones I know, Letus, they believe they have been so let down and have taken a step backwards.
And NBC works to keep America a nation decided by race. since their candidate can't run on his record, they want to deceive the country and make it all a race issue.
Free enterprise? This is a myth just like the American dream. Small business exists only at the mercy of big Repubican oriented corporations. Most Mom and Pop businesses could be run out of town in an afternoon is a corporation so desired. Walmart is probably the bes example of this. Wherever this company has moved in small buisness disappeared and commercial real estate value skidded downward. Sure they offer a token payment to tide these people over. However, look at the amount paid and then compare it to the profits the company made at the new location, it is a mere pittance and taken out of petty cash with a lot left over. This is why we call it the American dream, because it is just that. It has never come to reality as most people would wish. Profits, profits, and more profits is the only thing that motivates these corporate carnivores. What do they care how you live. And then there is Jack Welsh. He headed the corporation that since its beginning has not paid a dime in Federal corporate taxes. Yes, not a dime!!!! Yet this corporation ranks in the top three government contractors. That is well over 100 years. If you are really so opposed to big government, why do you deal with it. Jack you rank among the worst hypocrites this country has ever known. Tale a good look at these government contractors. They are invariably Republicans. Why? Under Republican administrations they collect a lot more in profits. History bears that out. Theyh are not oposed to big government, just who runs it.
Obama may not be perfect but at least he'd tried to move America forward - infrastructure improvement, hi-speed rail, healthcare, war against Muslim extremists. What did the GOP do in the 8 years Bush Jr was in the white house - preserving the privileges of the good old boys and proclaiming the war against Bin Laden was over ?
If Asian-Americans came to this Country to work and not just get a free ride, they
will want to vote for Mitt Romney.
funny how so many people claim the country's economic situation has been caused by ones idiot administration than another,
for the past 40 years, the country has had nothing but liberals in the White house,
no matter the party affiliation, they're all liberal to their own selfrighteous causes which have not included the working class that they all have demanded so much from which is what has brought the country to its current economic disaster,
they all have voted against the working class getting anything,
the GOP has always voted against the unions getting more of what they actually worked for so the mental midgets in charge could get more,
the so called democrats have always voted for giving all the un-earned benefits to the people who have farted and left a skid mark, claiming to have a disease along with the clowns claiming to have a disease because they won't quit drugs or drinking or want to claim the fact that they aren't happy with they way their lives didn't turn out the way they wanted, they have depression and another disease,then there are the people who claim they have a disease because they have never walked away from a box of donuts, claiming the cause of having a different area code on each cheek of their butts is obesity, bullsnot.
the GOP claims the working class is claiming entitlement,
yeah, guess what, so are the GOP republicans also claiming the very same thing with claiming they should be able to keep the money they stole from the working class by charging their over priced excuses every time the working class gets a little more, the rich raise their prices which cancels out what ever the working class has gotten,
the only part of the American population that has been screwed is the working class and it will continue no matter which sides supposedly wins the election.
both sides have taken more than their fare share of what they deserve, far more than the people who have worked for decades in a trade and now wondering if anything will be left after the two sides waste it all away on their own self righteous agendas which don't include the part of America that used to be who they have gotten their own over indulged life styles from.
look at the fact that the lowest paid so called professional athletes gets paid millions but then the people who you expect to teach you own children are too expensive at around $40,000 a year salary, they need to collect the materials to teach your children at their own expense on what they're insulted with,
and then there are the celebrities who society worries so much about whether they'll get out of rehab,
but society still wants to play the blame game, and point fingers at who is more responsible for the mess the country is in, when in fact it's society that is responsible,
not one politician can create anything but debt for the country, the responsability of creating jobs in this country is solely in the hands of the public and where they place their values,
but the majority of society wants to spend all of their money on their pathetic entertainment, then cry and complain about how they can't afford the pay the working class needs to even pay the over priced excuses in society who want to claim to be worth the fortune they arrogantly claim to be worth because they have a few years of drunken dorm and spring break parties,
but the people they arrogantly claim to be over priced are far less expensive than their own excuses.
when people claim to be intelligent, please be prepared to provide proof of your claims.
Mitt knows how to creat jobs................................in CHINA!
Mitt knows how to help the middle class................pay more taxes!
Mitt knows how to help small businessmen............like Donald Trump!
Mitt knows how to grow the economy...................for his family!
I'm Mitt Romoney, and I'm a-gonna poop on you! And approve this message!
I'm voting for Romney and wonder how you know what he is going to do if elected president.Do you have a crystal ball perhaps?Can you tell me what Congress and the Supreme Court are going to do next year?