Are Asian voters swinging Republican? (analysis from NJ/VA results)

Washington Examiner ^ | Nov 17, 2009 | Michael barone

[heiss]

Asian voters switching to Republicans? ... All this evidence strongly suggests that Republicans made gains and Democrats suffered significant losses among Asian, and specifically among Indian-American voters, in Middlesex County. This upscale group, ready enough to vote for John Kerry in 2004 and Barack Obama in 2008, seems to have been repelled by New Jersey’s high taxes and big government under Jon Corzine. There should be some lessons here for Republicans generally—and for Democrats as well.

[heiss]

I think Asian-Americans are natural GOP voters (family values, hard-working, victims of Dems race-policies and increaseingly fed up with taxes).

[cripplecreek]

I think the divisive identity politics should be left to the democrats.

[television is just wrong]

the only reason why dems want minorities here is to victimize them and have them vote democrat. Until they open their eyes

[heiss]

yes I agree and I’m not advocating any race-specific policies like dems have.

[MadIsh32]

Asians tend to be conservative. Strong family values, very business minded, several own small businesses.

I interact with many asians and all have views that would be deemed “conservative”

Yet, 80 percent of them voted for the current President.

Its a simple strategy to gain this vote, and that is focus on small business and become the party of small business.

Right now, we are not that at all

[MadIsh32]

Agree, identity politics suck.

However you do need to figure out how to speak to other groups, because the game is played via identity politics.

There really are two options

1) Totally ignore identity politics, pretend they don’t exist, and then conservatives will become the party of old white guys

2) Acknowledge the reality, figure out that most minority groups tend to have conservative values, both fiscally and morally (look how frugal many minority families are, in particular Asians) and then figure out how to communicate to them and demonstrate that their values are conservative values

[agere_contra]

Good point, well made.

But of course that reinforces the point: this change in voting habits has come about WITHOUT any pandering to an identity group.

[Jeff Chandler]

Well, they are smart. But then so are Jewish people and look who they vote for.

[cripplecreek]

Acknowledge the reality, figure out that most minority groups tend to have conservative values, both fiscally and morally (look how frugal many minority families are, in particular Asians) and then figure out how to communicate to them and demonstrate that their values are conservative values

Seems like running conservative candidates should do the trick.

[MadIsh32]

Agree.

Just not tone deaf conservative candidates (of which there are many)

And honestly, finding a few more Marco Rubio’s, Thomas Sowell’s, and Bobby Jindal’s wouldn’t hurt. And convincing them to actually run.

There are far more Marco Rubio’s out there then we realize, young, hispanic and conservative

[MadIsh32]

There is a HUGE difference between pandering, and actually talking to and listening to an identity group

Bob McDonell was outstanding in this regards. He was in asian markets in Northern VA, had lunch at a mosque, spoke to hispanics in Arlington, Bob was all over the place here in NOVA

He didn’t PANDER though. But he did LISTEN and DIRECTLY speak to minority groups without looking foolish like Mitt Romney did with his whole “who let the dogs out” sillyness

[RockinRight]

Over a generation or two removed from immigration, yes...but initially, they lean Dem, because of the overall Asian cultural “collectivism...”

Over time I do think they trend more GOP.

[Maine Mariner]

Yes, and how comfortable are the Country Club Republicans, the Long Island Horse set etc. with the Marco Rubios and Sarah Palins.

These groups would back a left wing Democrat that will tax them out of existence or send them to prison for “Economic Crimes” before admitting they lilke Sarah or Marco.

[RockinRight]

There is a collectivist nature to Asians that fits well w/Socialism.

[RockinRight]

McDonnell did “race politics” right...a rare trait in any politician, but esp. a Republican.

[MadIsh32]

Disagree.

There is a collectivist nature within the FAMILY, which is key

But Asian families do not EXPECT the government to take care of them. Which is why a place like Hong Kong never had any “social welfare nets” until it was returned to China

Asians prefer to take care of themselves and their families, rather then have the gov’t pay to send grandma to a nursing home

[MadIsh32]

Totally disagree

Rubio>>>>Palin. They don’t even compare

And secondaly, CC Republicans, to show how much they “care” would love nothing then to support a conservative, who happens to be a minority

[cripplecreek]

Duncan Hunter got a standing ovation from LULAC after telling them to come to America by legal means and speak english. I think they actually liked the fact that he faced them and didn’t pander or try to manipulate them for votes.

Unfortuantely, pandering and manipulation seems to be the GOP way these days.

[Maine Mariner]

Well,

Good observation about CC Republicans wanting to “show how much they ‘care’”.
I was thinging about the elections of 1964 and 1974 and how CC Republicans stay home or even supported Democrats.
I certainly have the impression that CC Republicans don’t think much of Palin.

[MadIsh32]

YES! That is exactly how you do it

I state clearly, there is a difference between pandering, and listening and talking to these groups

Hunter going to LULAC is a perfect example. You speak honestly, go there with an open mind, listen to their concerns and articulate your beliefs and what your policies would be

The GOP forgets how FAR this will actually take you