Indian Americans Could Be Critical To Election

MEMORANDUM TO FRIENDS OF CAMPAIGN FOR AMERICA’S FUTURE

FROM: Toby Chaudhuri, Campaign for America’s Future, Jim Gerstein, Gerstein-Agne Strategic Communications and Karl Agne, Gerstein-Agne Strategic Communications

SUBJECT: Indian American Qualitative Research - Summary Findings of Northern Virginia Focus Group

A focus group of likely Indian American voters conducted July 17, 2008 in Fairfax, Va. suggests that this audience could play a critical role in the 2008 election and beyond. Demographic research into the Indian American electorate shows this audience is highly educated, and this focus group indicates they are similar to other highly educated voters across the country in many respects. Most importantly, they see Barack Obama as a candidate who shares their values, has the right priorities for turning around our troubled economy, and is the best possible leader to re-establish our standing in the world. But these Indian American voters also shared some unique perspectives on what is happening in the world and what is required to address the challenges facing America today.

This focus group was the first of a potentially broader research project, and while we strongly caution against drawing actionable conclusions from a single 2-hour discussion with 7 people, the political attitudes and values of these participants suggest enormous opportunities to engage Indian Americans for support with progressive and Democratic battles. These voters clearly saw themselves aligned closely with Democrats and very far from Republicans on a wide range of economic, cultural and international issues.

Even though more than half of the group identified as independents or weak Democrats, the prevailing attitudes expressed in the focus group were very progressive and distinctly anti-Republican. Their extensive knowledge of political affairs was at the high end of what is traditionally seen in focus groups of college-educated swing voters. They were knowledgeable about some issues unique to their community, but these issues were not their priorities. And when it came to attitudes toward core issues like our country’s direction, the economy, the war in Iraq and energy policy, participants were virtually indistinguishable – in their diagnosis of the country’s ills, their indictment of President Bush and the Republicans in Congress, their policy prescriptions and their passion for a new direction – from other progressive-leaning Americans across the country.

We are pleased to offer this report on what marks the first exploration of this type with which we are familiar into this rapidly growing constituency that holds tremendous potential for political activism if properly engaged.

OVERALL POLITICAL MOOD

Participants universally agreed that America is facing numerous difficulties which are not being properly addressed. From domestic issues like the economy and the housing crisis to national security policy like the war in Iraq and mishandling the growing strength of other countries, there was an unmistakable sense that nothing is going right for our country. Like other Americans, their negative assessment begins with the economy which is simply not producing good jobs as the cost of living – particularly gas prices – continues to rise. As one woman noted, the recent tax rebate checks did little to help because they were spent on standard expenses as quickly as the rebates were received.

Even though the economy drove their sense of why the country is on the wrong track, this collection of well-educated and mostly white collar Indian American professionals were not angry about economic conditions or the causes of our current difficulties. Instead of the passionate attacks on corporate lobbyists or a corrupted political system that we have regularly witnessed throughout America over the last several years, these participants were much more analytical about what bothers them and they were hopeful about the future when this down cycle turns around. Moreover, they felt that each successive generation of Indian Americans has greater opportunity than previous generations, and they should be able to continue thriving in America.

Part of their analysis of why America is having problems emphasized the massive growth of the Chinese and Indian economies which constitutes something major taking place in the world and goes well beyond simple cyclical patterns that will correct themselves on their own. In this regard, participants felt it imperative for America to pursue a much better path in order to overcome our economic problems and maintain our competitive edge. They did not necessarily have a specific answer for how to achieve this – and their views were not tied to the outsourcing discussion prevalent across the country – but they repeatedly mentioned China and India as key influences on our economy and America must figure out how to turn these challenges into opportunities.

Most of the participants were first generation Americans, arriving in the last 10 to 15 years, and they had a deep appreciation for international affairs. In addition to their sensitivity and awareness of global economic influences, they brought a sophisticated view of the situation in Iraq. First and foremost, they were pained by the situation facing our soldiers. There is great appreciation for what the soldiers are doing for the country, yet anger at our leadership that went into Iraq unprepared and has spent too much money without due diligence. Iraq did not come up as a topic of discussion until the moderator prompted, but when it was raised, people expressed very strong opposition to the war. Despite their opposition and desire to end the war in Iraq, there was a clear sense that America has a responsibility not to leave a mess in Iraq. Still, they were acutely aware of the unlikelihood of stabilizing Iraq in the short term, and the desire to bring home our troops overwhelmed everything else. When presented with the choice of troop withdrawal or patiently sticking it out until American wins the war, every participant sided with the first statement as articulated below:

Our troops have fought bravely in Iraq and achieved all that can be done militarily, but now they are caught in a civil war that does nothing to make us safer. It will take time and has to be done gradually, but we must start now to withdraw troops, giving responsibility back to the Iraqis and shifting our focus back to the greatest threats to our security – both in Afghanistan and within our own borders.

or

The Bush administration has badly mismanaged the war in Iraq, but the battle we are fighting against Islamic extremism and terrorism in Iraq is vital to our national security. We must commit ourselves as a country to provide the troops, the intelligence, and the resources needed to win this war. American failure in Iraq will create chaos throughout the region and increase the risk of another terrorist attack on our own shores.

PRESIDENT BUSH AND THE DAMAGED REPUBLICAN BRAND

While participants were mostly analytical about the economy, Iraq and the general direction of the country, they grew more animated when asked about President Bush and the Republican Party. Nobody had a kind word for the president, and they universally derided him as an inarticulate man who was just a puppet for other special interests.

The disdain toward President Bush carried over to an intense dislike toward the Republican Party, which was dismissively viewed as group of old white men who were too stubborn to adjust to changing realities in the world around them. The Republicans were seen as constantly making the wrong decision and being oblivious to the real concerns facing Americans. There was also a racial dynamic prevalent in many assessments of the Republicans. The Party’s image as an old white boys club certainly created a cultural distance between the Party and the Indian Americans in our focus group. One participant’s observation captured the overall sentiment of the group and reflected the fundamental cultural problem for the Republicans: “The Republicans are not racist. But they don’t think racism exists, and that is the problem.”

When asked what positives they could offer about the Republicans, participants focused on tax breaks and deregulation that enables entrepreneurs and individuals to achieve their goals without unnecessary government interference. They pointed to Ronald Reagan as a Republican who got things right, and he was clearly not of the same ilk as the bumbling George W. Bush. But even after mentioning these positives about the Republicans, participants were quick to point out that Republicans instinctively take it too far, resulting in failures of the USDA to protect our food supply and insufficient oversight of collapsing coal mines.

THE DEMOCRATS AND THE OBAMA OPPORTUNITY

In contrast to their deep alienation from the Republicans, participants largely identified with Democrats on cultural grounds because the Party was seen as young and diverse. But this cultural identification should not be confused with any great satisfaction with the Democrats. In fact, participants were looking for reasons to like the Democrats because of the Party’s more tolerant and inclusive approach, but there was also a deep skepticism about Democrats, who were seen as indecisive and unable to turn the multitude of opinions in their big tent into meaningful action.

When asked what accounts for the large scale Democratic victory in 2006 and more recently in Congressional races in disparate parts of the country, it was less about Democratic achievement and more about the failure of the Republicans. Democrats represented change and something different, which was enough to get their feet back in the door, but now they are being watched to see if they can succeed.

Barack Obama’s candidacy appears to provide an historic opportunity for Democrats to form a deep and enduring connection with Indian Americans. His race is certainly the starting point as participants noted “his color” as a great thing that was a shared characteristic between him and them. People could identify with him and they believed he could identify with them. They were also attracted to his youthful energy that could bring the change that the country desperately needs. For these voters, everything about Obama simply embodies change. Unlike some other Americans, these participants saw both his race and his youth as tremendous advantages for a president who needs to tackle the new challenges of the 21st century at home and abroad. They did not necessarily know the specific change Obama would bring in terms of policies, but it did not really matter because he represents a fundamental break from the current Bush direction which led America into its current state of affairs.

Despite their hopes for Obama, who reminded them of John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton because of his cool and smooth demeanor, they had serious concerns over whether he will have the experience and political smarts to get anything done as president. His short time in office certainly led people to harbor real doubts about Obama, but even the way they express these doubts reflected their hopes for the Illinois senator. That is, their doubts were not reasons to oppose him; rather the doubts were about whether this person with tremendous potential would actually be able to achieve everything they are pinning on him.

Obama’s contrast with John McCain could not be starker. McCain was seen as an old, stale Republican who would just be a continuation of the Bush path. When asked who they could compare to McCain, people offered George H.W. Bush because he is another standard boring Republican and “that old senator from West Virginia” (Byrd) because of his advanced age. The only positive thing people could say about McCain was his experience, and we did not even hear anything about him personally or his military record, which usually dominates discussion when voters across the country are asked to describe what they like about McCain.

In the end, these Indian American voters do harbor doubts about Obama’s ability to achieve the change he promises, but they have high hopes for him and they have absolutely no interest in supporting John McCain who is simply defined by his age and common purpose with the current Administration which clearly does not have the right vision for the future.

INDIAN AMERICAN VALUES AND THEMES

In addition to our discussion about the political parties, the overall environment, and the 2008 election, we also explored attitudes on basic conservative and progressive choices on leading issues facing the country. These issues included America’s role in the world, Iraq (as noted earlier), energy, health care, illegal immigration, education and social issues. During this discussion, a few themes emerged:

• Pragmatism. These Indian American voters often explained their choices when deciding between the progressive and conservative arguments as “realistic” and seeking “achievable progress.” On energy, they were mixed between the two arguments because both statements offered tangible plans that sought to break America’s dependence on foreign oil. Whether it was investing in alternative energy sources like wind and solar or exploring further domestic oil production and clean coal, the magnitude of the energy problem drove people to just want solutions. This pragmatic and solution-oriented approach was also dominant when discussing illegal immigration. As immigrants who successfully assimilated into American society and “earned our keep,” participants expected the same of other immigrants and were receptive to tough messages on illegal immigration. But they also recognized immigrants’ strong work ethic and the importance they play in lowering prices and strengthening our economy. Again, these Indian American voters wanted a practical solution that would make illegal immigrants pay into the system without establishing unrealistic hurdles.

• Multilateralism. Participants held a deep conviction that the last eight years of Bush foreign policy have damaged America’s leverage around the world, and we need to get back to a more integrated military, diplomatic and economic approach in our foreign policy. Participants frequently raised the global economy and they shared a Tom Friedman-like characterization of a small global community where what happens in one corner of the world has profound effects on other parts of the world. Despite this emphasis on international relations, it is noteworthy that they did not express any interest in the U.S.-India relationship beyond India’s impact on our economy. India’s tensions with Pakistan did not come up and India plays no significant role in how any of these participants determine their vote. These participants were deeply assimilated into American culture and prioritized numerous other issues ahead of America’s relations with India.

• Family Values. Closeness to family was clearly important to these participants who emphasized that tight families instill good values. But these values were not expressed in the way we often see in the political debate. Instead of the socially conservative world view often identified by those who talk about “family values,” these participants highlighted the importance of families supporting each other in education and providing opportunities for each other. Moreover, they emphasized tolerance as an important value and they prioritized science such as stem cell research as critical to advancing the public good.

The attitudes expressed in this focus group of Indian American voters were largely reflective of other Americans of similar educational and financial backgrounds. They are well informed on the issues facing the country, they are deeply troubled by where they see the country headed after eight years of President Bush, and they are placing great hope in Barack Obama, who they see as a jolt of fresh air. Their beliefs and values tend to be more progressive and Democratic than their non-Indian counterparts of comparable background, and much of this appeared tied to their experience as a racial minority.

This particular focus group was conducted in the Washington, D.C. media market, and it remains to be seen how Indian Americans in other parts of the country – and specifically outside such a political environment – comport or differ from this particular group which undoubtedly indicates great opportunity for Democrats and progressives.

**NOTE: For more information or to support future opinion research about Indian American political attitudes, please contact Toby Chaudhuri at 202-587-1653 or chaudhuri@ourfuture.org. Campaign for America’s Future and Gerstein-Agne Strategic Communications conducted a focus group of Indian American men and women who are registered to vote in Virginia and indicated they are likely to vote in the 2008 election. The group was conducted by an Indian American moderator in Fairfax, Va. on July 17, 2008.**

APPENDIX - POSTCARDS TO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

Dear Senator Obama,

Participant 1
Fix our economy. Focus more on us as a nation than concerning ourselves with war. Bring our troops home. Gain control over the immigration issue. Help us create a strong nation on the inside so it exudes to the outside.

Participant 2
I would like you to express and follow on your changes that you so propose in everything you want to do and say. Words mean nothing if it does not happen What will you do different that will give you my vote. Show me the changes.

Participant 3
Come up with a solid plan and approach.
Select a VP ASAP.
Define the 4 yrs plan and provide a welcoming attitude around the world.
Be assertive but approachable at the same time

Participant 4
I would like to see a clear plan that you have for the future, maybe a “100 days” plan and please show me some of the changes you intend on making.

Participant 5
Be honest. What will you do for the Virginians?
Promote small business
Tax break
Fix the economy
Be fair

Participant 6
Fixing the housing crisis
Getting our troops back
Got oil prices down
$$ into alternate fuel sources
Make sure I will get SS

Participant 7
I would like you to discuss your plans on how would you include S. Asian in your cabinet. Meet with the community to discuss your view. How would you change the current economic conditions. How would you deal with the war situation.

APPENDIX - POSTCARDS TO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES (CONT.)

Dear Senator McCain,

Participant 1
(I want the same thing from either candidate)

Participant 2
You wise and experience will definitely get you insight [] but what can you do different than Obama? I would like to see changes in the economy and bring the troops home is that a promise

Participant 3
You will have to separate yourselves from Bush’s policies.
Exactly explain how you are going to be different
How are you going to promote diplomacy

Participant 4
How do you plan to stay in Iraq for 100 years and who do you plan on being in the armed services. How are you going to make my life better?

Participant 5
Sorry Senator McCain I have no advise for you. Please stay away from Virginia as you do not want to fix the economy, you are not changing the policies against war and focus on American people

Participant 6
Please do the same as above

Participant 7
Be open minded. Reach out to the S. Asian community and discuss your point of view. Try to come up with solution on the troop withdrawal. What is your plan for economy?