From grassroots events to the convention floor, AAPIs made their voices heard last week at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. A record 364 Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) delegates represented their states and territories at this year’s convention, a 20% increase over 2004. They were joined by AAPI celebrities such as Daniel Dae Kim (Lost) and Kelly Hu (X2, Scorpion King). This year’s convention program also prominently featured several AAPI speakers, including Sen. Obama’s sister Maya Soetoro-Ng, Congressman Mike Honda, California State Controller John Chiang, and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth.
Asian Americans for Obama also played an unprecedented role for a grassroots organization in this year’s convention, a reflection of Sen. Barack Obama’s innovative, bottom-up campaign philosophy. Along with South Asians for Obama and Asian Pacific Americans for Progress, Asian Americans for Obama co-hosted an AAPI grassroots strategy session on Tuesday, August 26, where AAPI convention attendees met to develop action plans for key swing states. These action plans focused on voter registration, volunteer recruitment, phone banking, canvassing, and community outreach. Asian Americans for Obama founder Ramey Ko also sat on a panel with South Asians for Obama co-founder Hrishi Karthikeyan and S.R. Sidarth on online organizing and the AAPI youth vote.
Convention Round-Up
Asian Americans for Obama interviews Daniel Dae Kim
Listen to this interview with actor Daniel Dae Kim who plays Jin on Lost on his support for Sen. Obama at the Democratic National Convention.
Asian Americans for Obama interviews Kelly Hu
Listen to this interview with actress, former Miss Hawaii, and Obama supporter Kelly Hu (X2, Scorpion King) at the Democratic National Convention.
Day 4 Recap and Photos
The day of the big speech! See Moblog update as well as coverage at Angry Asian Man (with high quality photos).
Day 3 Recap and Photos
Recap of the AAPI Caucus, featuring special appearances by Konrad Ng and Maya Soetoro-Ng, as well as actresses Kelly Hu and Tamlyn Tomita, and Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, and former Democratic candidate for Congress Tammy Duckworth's remarks to the convention! See Moblog interview with Kelly Hu and Moblog recap of Day 3.
Day 2 Recap and Photos
Meeting Maya Soetoro-Ng and Konrad Ng, former Secretary of Commerce and Transportation Norman Mineta and Lost's Daniel Dae Kim! See Moblog interview with Daniel Dae Kim as well as the Moblog recap of Day 2 and coverage from Angry Asian Man. Also see the remarks of Rep. Mike Honda and Calif. Controller John Chiang before the convention and a transcript of Mike Honda’s remarks.
Day 1 Recap and Photos
Day 1 events, including the AAPI Caucus (with a special appearance by DNC Chairman Howard Dean!), the Indian American Leadership Initiative's reception and Maya Soetoro-Ng's speech to the DNC!
Recap of AAPI Summit and the First Party of the Week
Recap of the AAPI Colorado Summit on Sunday before the convention.
Other News
Obama in Hawaii: Learning the reality of power
Honolulu Advertiser series on Obama's formative years in Indonesia.
Hawai’i Stars in Denver
KGMB reporter Keahi Tucker caught up with Kelly Hu & Daniel Dae Kim at the Pepsi Convention Center following Joe Biden's speech.
Backstage with Barack
Time Magazine photo essay on Obama before and after his acceptance speech.
2008 Democratic National Convention: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Maya Soetoro-Ng, Half-sister of Barack Obama, High School Teacher - Hawaii
Text of Maya's speech to the DNC.
Obama’s Sister Speaks at Democratic Convention
KGMB9 coverage of Maya Soetoro-Ng's speech.
Soetoro-Ng Talks Ohana
Obama's sister weaves together family, dreams.
Barack Obama's sister defends his character in Denver
Barack Obama's sister launches a spirited defence of her brother in Denver against claims that he is too arrogant and out of touch with ordinary people to become president.
Reflections on Growing Up With Obama
Maya Soetoro-Ng shares some memories on what it was like to grow up in Hawai'i with her big brother.
Obama’s Brother-in-Law Taking It All In Stride
Weekend interview with Konrad Ng.
Obama’s Relatives to Tell His Story to the Public
Obama's half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, and his wife, Michelle – seek to not only introduce Obama to voters but also cast his life story as uniquely American.
'Toot': Obama’s Grandmother a Force That Shaped Him
Great article about Obama's maternal grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunham.
Denver Latest Stop on Yee’s Unlikely Journey
Former army chaplain James Yee's journey from Guantanamo Bay to Washington Delegate.
Mobile Blogging
Moblog Update: Final Thoughts
Moblogging Live from Invesco Field: Will.I.Am Performs "Yes We Can"
Asian Americans for Obama interviews Daniel Dae Kim
Asian Americans for Obama interviews Kelly Hu
Moblog Wrap-Up: Day 3
Sen. Barack Obama Officially Nominated By the Democratic Party for President of the United States
Roll Call Vote for Presidential Nominee in Progress
Moblog Wrap-Up: Day 2
Moblog Update on Michelle Obama Speech and End of Day 1
Moblog Update from Convention Floor Day 1: Ted Kennedy’s Speech
Moblog Update from Convention Floor Day 1: Everyday Americans Speak
Moblog Update from Convention Floor Day 1: Maya and Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Moblog Update from APA Power Hour
Moblog Update from AAPI Caucus on Sunday
Videos
Maya Soetoro-Ng Speaking at the DNC: "Barack Will Be There for You" - YouTube and DNC video
Tammy Duckworth Addressing the 2008 Democratic Convention - YouTube and DNC video
Video on Veterans featuring Tammy Duckworth - YouTube clip and full DNC video
Tammy Duckworth at the AAPI Caucus
Doris Matsui at the DNC
Doris Matsui Interview
Mike Honda Addressing the DNC
Mike Honda at the DNC AAPI Caucus - YouTube and DNC video
Survivor Winner Yul Kwon Speaking at the AAPI Caucus
Kelly Hu and Daniel Dae Kim Speak at HI Delegation Breakfast
Tamlyn Tomita at the DNC - Part 1 and Part 2
CA Controller John Chiang Addressing the DNC
Benediction Delivered by Revs. Jin Ho Kang, Youngsook Kang
Dave Stewart’s "American Prayer" (featuring Margaret Cho)
Upcoming Events
Help Sen. Obama Win AQUA Presidential Endorsement in DC on Sept 4 @ 6:30PM
Obama '08 District #10 - San Francisco Office 9/6/08 @ 1-3pm
Camp Obama in California - Sign up and become a deputy field organizer.
Cross-posted at Asian Americans for Obama