One group that has not gained much attention in the fury of the Presidential Election campaign of 2016 are Asian Americans, the fastest growing group in America.
With a little more than 5 percent of the population, and rapidly growing in Florida, Virginia, and Nevada, and already substantial in New York, California, Illinois, Maryland, Washington State, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado and other states, Asian Americans are very likely to play a pivotal role in who wins the Presidency.
Asian Americans could also affect Senate and House races, as they are very likely to vote, and the vast majority have tended to vote Democratic in recent years. The growing numbers of Asian Americans in Central and South Florida, Northern Virginia, and the Las Vegas metropolitan area are likely to insure that those three key swing states should influence the Democratic candidate’s likelihood of winning the Presidency.
Many do not realize how many different Asian groups are included–including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, as well as those from India, Pakistan and other nations in Asia. Very accomplished and very dedicated to their civic duty to participate in the electoral battle is a great way to describe Asian Americans.
And the history of Asian Americans is always in the background–particularly the banning of Chinese immigration from 1882-1943, and the mistreatment of Japanese Americans in California early in the 20th century, and the forced internment of 110,000 Japanese Americans in World War II.
Asian Americans know that they must fight against nativism, racism, and religious discrimination, including those of Muslim faith.
So the Republican Party has a major problem in drawing Asian American support, with 73 percent voting for Barack Obama in 2012!
There is one exception in the GOP regarding the Asian vote. Jon Huntsman as Ambassador to China and Singapore built up a strong rapport with Chinese and other Asian leaders and constituents, and Asians in the USA are very aware of this. One more reason why Huntsman is the most electable GOP candidate in the past decade!
You make an excellent point, there, Bob!
Thanks!