The Asian vote

[_Jumper_]

Do they tend to vote Republican or Democratic? Why aren't they considered an important group? Their numbers are small but they are, overall, affluent. Their buying power rivals that of Hispanics and is approximately half of that of blacks.

[arewethereyet]

1. I believe they tend to vote right

but don't bet the ranch on that. it would explain why the left has little to say about them.

[Mattforclark]

2. IIRC they vote democrat

I think 60%... from exit polls.

[_Jumper_]

3. They did prior to the 1990's

I believe they shifted to the Democrats in the 1990's as a result of the GOP's incessant use of the immigration/anti-Hispanic, anti-Asian card.

[Zynx]

4. Vote very slightly Democratic.

Japanese tend to vote more Republican and Chinese vote more Democratic.

[pippin]

6. please don't say "Japs"

it's inappropriate and Asian Americans would find it offensive. They are Japanese Americans.

[Zynx]

14. Sorry.

[arewethereyet]

9. japs ?

ouch

[Mattforclark]

5. 2% of the population

55 % voted for Gore

41 % voted for Ghorge Boosh

1 % voted for Buchanan - must have been tha chads

3 % voted for Nader

[_Jumper_]

10. 4%

They are 2% of the vote--just like Jews. They are affluent like Jews. Why don't they have the political clout Jews do? We tailor our Middle East policy for the Jewish vote yet no one even talks about Asians. When racial issues come up the only time Asians are mentioned is by anti-affirmative action Republicans.

Thanks for posting that! :toast:

[Mattforclark]

13. actually - mistake

2% of voters in 2000 was 'asian,' not 2% of the population.

[Bombtrack]

7. the dem party can't take them for granted.

Like jews before them, asians are best assimilaters generationally of any primarily 20th century immigrant race.

Meaning they tend to be very industrious and well educated.

Yet they still support democrats.

I think affirmative action and a bloated-government stigma is what probably drives alot of otherwise progressive asians away from the dem party, towards being independants or republicans

It's one of the reasons I am against race-based affirmative action

[_Jumper_]

12. I agree with your post

Asians are an affluent group so many Asians vote Republican for the same reason wealthy whites do. Affirmative action also plays a role because it hurts Asians even more than whites in college admissions. Look at what happened on California campuses after affirmative action ended.

[pippin]

8. There is no single Asian American

block. Today they are a diverse group divided by generations in the US, country of origin, religion and class. How they vote is anyone's guess. Even a single group like ethnic Chinese may actually be differentiated by generational status in the US, language, and culture.

Historically, Asian Americans have tended to vote their interests switching between democrat and republican depending on what a particularl candidate may stand for in terms of their interests. On the whole though they are a young cohort and increasingly well educated and belonging to the professional classes, so candidates, either democrats and republicans who want to get their vote, may have to look beyond ethnicity to appeal to them.

[_Jumper_]

11. There also is not a single Hispanic-American bloc

Yet they have a seat at the table.

Asians are loosely connected because the majority of Asian-Americans are first or second generation Americans. We face a similar brand of racism engendered by not being considered "real Americans" by many Americans.

I believe we need to use the civil rights issue to make headway with Asians. That is our trump card. It certainly will work with South Asians(who constitute roughly 1/5 of the Asian-American population) who are suffering as a result of being confused with Arabs.

[reknewcomer]

15. I would hope "they" are not a monolith

No race should ever be assumed to be following a politic. Ideas sell and those that agree mentally will follow. The days of pandering or assuming a race of independant humans should take the bait is hopefully over.

[Kinkistyle]

16. Asians are a mixed bag

My parents voted Repub, and consider Reagan and Giuliani to be saintly (because they are "tough"). My folks used to be very conservative, both fiscally and socially, until I went to college and sank my teeth into their weak-ass, traditional, ethically irresponsible standpoint, with the only type of reasonable discourse they're willing to acknowledge: their childrens'.

My mom is dead, unfortunately, but my dad is a much more liberal man in his old age. Altho I think the trend, at least amongst the chinese, is boomers=repugs, gen.x'ers=slightly democrat, I see all types amongst Asians: from meathead womanizing boiler room stock "analysts", to the tree-hugging graphic designers. I'd say the Asian demographic closely mimics the Caucasian community.

[_Jumper_]

17. Interesting comment

"I'd say the Asian demographic closely mimics the Caucasian community."

Overall, that is not the case. However, that could be explained by the disparity in education levels. It would be real interesting to see the Asian voters compared to white voters with the similar education level. I suspect they would be close, but that Asians would be slightly more Democratic.

How big is the civil rights issue among Chinese-Americans? Has 9/11 made them realize how vulnerable they are?

I am South Asian and most South Asians I know, especially the older ones, still tend to mistakenly view civil rights as a "black issue."

[Mattforclark]

18. Nope

people in the middle of the education bell curve have a very slight Republican tendancy. Those on the extreme sides (graduate degree or HS drop out, I think) have a stronger tendency to vote Democrat.

So unless many many many many Asian people have graduate degrees....

[_Jumper_]

19. Interesting

The proportion of Asian-Americans with collegw degrees is higher than for whites so it likely is higher with respect to having advanced degrees. I'll try to find out if that gap exists and how large it is if it does.

[Mattforclark]

34. Check it out

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2000/epolls/US/P000.html

The proportion of Asian Americans that voted for Gore is higher than the proportion of Americans with post-grad degress who voted for Gore, so even if every single Asian-American had a post grad degree, that would not entirely explain the difference.

[_Jumper_]

41. I just found that theory interesting

I didn't think it was likely to be true. There is a 17% gap in earning college degrees between Asians and whites but that gap is only 3% when it comes to earning advanced degrees, so the education difference does not explain that gap.

[Ebbhead]

20. "They"?!?!

I am an American-born Korean gal and DISDAIN the lump-grouping of "Asian-American." And although I qualified myself, I am AMERICAN. Don't brand us "them." :grr:

For the record, this is my first post, and the replies should be intriguing. And, I'm HEAVILY leaning towards Clark, and it's interesting (and encouraging) that mostly Clark supporters are addressing this issue. *Do other candidate's supporters care??*

And I'm working towards a Master's degree.... :evilgrin:

[_Jumper_]

21. I am Asian too

/'I am an American-born Korean gal and DISDAIN the lump-grouping of "Asian-American." And although I qualified myself, I am AMERICAN. Don't brand us "them." :grr: "

I consider myself an American too. However, we need acknowledge that in this race-obssessed nation Asian is a category that is as real as Hispanic politically and socially, although those of Asian descent recognize it is a fraud. People talk about the votes of every group under the sun but never the Asian vote. I posted this because we need to address the Asian vote as well.

It is interesting that most of the people addressing this are Clark supporters. Equally conspicious is the lack of people from a certain large camp in this thread...

[Mattforclark]

37. Certainly

All racial categories are bunk, and that is especially the case with something as broad as 'Asian-American' or 'Hispanic.'

[La_Serpiente]

22. I'm Asian

and I can tell you that the Asian in Hawaii are firmly Democratic. Also, the Democratic party has a long history of stomping out discrimination - but there is a sizable plurality that votes Republican.

To comment on an earlier post, yes, I am Korean and would prefer not to be lumped together.

[IronLionZion]

23. I'm Indian

and damn you for being so insensitive! j/k

I can speak for the Indians by saying most of us are Democrat, especially urban, middle-class, working class, and poor. A lot of the wealthy ones like to play golf at the country club and vote Republican. Most hate Bush for being an idiot, long before he messed up the country.

[_Jumper_]

25. We don't have a choice

The majority has branded us a group. Politically and socially we are a group that is as real as "Hispanics." Frankly, if we do not stand together to combat the similar problems we face we will be powerless. Individual Asian groups are too small to be a force on the national stage.

[CreekDog]

29. Interesting Thing About 'Labeled' Ethnic Groups

Apparently, the longer a group has been in the US and maintains an distinct identity from the perspective of the white majority, the more Democratically that group votes (although they may not be an actual singular group).

Asians (diverse as they are) overall began giving a plurality to the Democrats in recent years. For whatever reason.

"Jumper" posted about "not having any choice" because they are labelled and lumped together by the society at large. I think there are psychological implications to this and that when a group realizes its viewed differently and has been here long enough to realize that overall that's a disadvantage, the Democrats become more appealing (not hugely maybe), but just the same.

When you are an outsider in the US because of your ethnic identity, disability or other things that you cannot control, I think you realize that the only party that comes close to representing you is the Democrats.

The Democrats didn't get 92% of the Black vote in 2000 because they are the most wonderful thing since sliced bread, but a big part of Democratic support is that they are not the Republican Party.

[JohnKleeb]

42. Serp I thought you had mixed blood

BTW I hear Asian voters vote Dem mostly but Asia is such a big continet like Europe, no conclusiveness really. Like I know of European ethnic groups, the Irish are big time dems as are the Polish. Not sure.

[Must_B_Free]

24. Very mixed bag

The ones caught up in the rep propaganda vote repub. Many Koreans were christianized during the japanese occupation. They are hard right. The Japanese with alot of money on the line are hard right. YOu would think Indians would tend towards Democrat.

I bet a bunch of asians don't vote because they aren't even that caught up in American culture. Manay Asians like to surround them selves with a wall of their nationality and not participate. Remember, this whole democratic phenomenon is relatively new in the scheme of Asian consciousness.

[_Jumper_]

26. Asians are very assimilated

Especially the well-educated ones. Suburban Asians really have no choice but to assimilate. Things are a bit different in ethnic enclaves in a handful of cities with a sizable Asian population.

[Kinkistyle]

28. Very large second-generation Asian population in Gen.X

I think the Boomer generation has a mostly first-generation population of Asian immigrants, and yeah, they tend to stick to their own and not vote nor really participate in govertment and community activities. But, that is changing as the 2nd generation comes into its own, with a lot of American-born Asians, who participate more in social activities outside of their own specific cultures. I think many older generation Asians who voted, voted Repub because they espoused "toughness" and less-taxes which translates to safety and wealth two VERY important things to an immigrant population. But with the following generations you see more interest in social welfare, international policies, etc.. etc..

You are reading the post of a 2nd-generation Asian-American who was born into a hard-right Repug family. I not only switched over to the Dems, but I convinced my sister and my dad to come along with me too. I hope this is not just a singular phenomenon.

[bpilgrim]

33. you'r dad, too

:wow: nice job :toast:

did the conversions happen at the same time? recently (past 3 years)

just curious if i can add another data point to my hunch that dimson is driving away republicans and that there might be a dean republicans movement simular to what regan had.

my wife is japanese, born and raised there, and conservative in a lot of ways but she definately doesn't like the chimp and i doubt she would ever vote for a republican after whats she witnessed over the past decade... and i been fill'n her in on how bad they been in the decades before as well :evilgrin:

:hi:

peace

[ButterflyBlood]

27. my guess as to why they vote Democratic

is they mostly come from the west coast and large cities, which are liberal on a whole. Since many are rather wealthy, Republican would seem to make more sense. I guess that's why Japanese Americans tend to vote Republican and Chinese Americans Democratic, the Japanese are richer.

[pippin]

31. Other groups of Asian Americans

There are also communities in the south--Texas, Arkansas etc., that have been strongholds of Democratic support.

There are also Asians from China (both Chinas) Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore who are part of a very wealthy group of business people with manufacturing connections in Asia itself. Their vote will go to candidate whose policies on trade relations and finances will help their interests.

[NewJeffCT]

30. They can't be pigeon-holed

My wife hates Bush and considers him stupid. (she's from China, but can't vote yet as we're still waiting for her *temporary* green card even though we've been married for over 2 years now and have a 10 month old baby!!!! - sorry for the venting) She also thinks Reagan was stupid and loves Clinton, and can't believe we here in America pick presidential candidates due to their popularity and not who is the most qualified.

However, she is pretty conservative & naive on a lot of social issues, and I am guessing many Chinese that were born overseas are somewhat similar. But, I have noticed that there is a huge difference between Chinese born overseas and Chinese born here (called ABC - American Born Chinese - by Chinese born overseas)- the ABCers are similar to 'white' America. And, Chinese do seem anxious to fit in to American society (I've never been made to feel uncomfortable being the only white person at a social gathering with 15 or so Chinese even though my Mandarin is fairly weak, and I think I read somewhere that the top inter-racial marriage in the US is between Asian women and white men.)

Last January, I did hear Dr. Henry Lee speak at a Chinese New Year event. He said in part of his speech that since a lot of Asians are driven/pushed to succeed academically in top colleges and in industry/business that they have often thought of government work as beneath them, as a top engineer/doctor/scientist will likely get paid more than a local politician. There is a lot of social pressure on them to get into a top college & get a high paying job. However, he did say that as Asians become more integrated into America, that is slowly changing...

[_Jumper_]

40. There is a different between Asians born here and immigrants

You are correct about that. The vast majority assimilate into their local culture. If they live in a black area they will adopt "black culture"; if they live in a white area they will adopt "white culture." U.S. born, and even those that came here at an early age, will politically be similar to everyone else. You are correct about social conservatism among Asian immigrants, though.

I think all new groups are anxious to fit into American society. After all, who would not want to, given the problems outsider status engenders? I would trade a ton to have the opportunity to live without the cloud of racism hanging over my head.

[Kanola]

32. The AAPI for Dean is a very savvy group

I am not Asian but somehow I am on their mailing list, and they are a very constructive group working hard for Dr. Dean

[longhornfire]

35. I'm Korean

I'm Korean in Texas... Most of the people in my community tends to vote Dem... Roughly 60%. But like any where in the country the some of my friends that are more wealthy than the average american will swear by Bush. Sadly enough most don't get to politically involved.

[eileen_d]

36. Welcome to DU, longhornfire!

:hi:

[PeeWeeTheMadman]

38. In Norway

In Scandinavia many east asians vote right because of immigration. We have quite a few incidents with crime from muslim immigrants, and vietnamese, chinese and indians feel that they are destroying the reputation of emigrants.

Also, refuges tend to vote dependent on which dictator they fled from. People who fled from Vietnam or China tend to vote right, while people who fled from Chile or Indonesia tend to vote left.

[Catherine Vincent]

39. Where is Kamika?

We need her opinion on this.