News

For Immediate Release (January 18, 2008)

Contact Person:  Kathleen To  830 798-9302
                        Joel Wong/Frank Lee   510-329-4874 / 510 305-9721

   80-20 Initiative, by far the largest Asian American political action committee, announces today that its Board has voted unanimously to endorse Sen. Hillary Clinton for California's Democratic primary. It has appropriated $30K to support Sen. Clinton in the Asian ethnic media, to be spent by Super Tuesday on Feb. 5. The Board also explicitly stipulated that it would appropriate more if needed.

   80-20 has a record of delivering 3 bloc votes to its endorsed candidates in 2000, 2004 and 2006.

   Present at the press conference are many top leaders of the Asian American community in the Bay Area, including Harrison Lim of the Chinatown 6-Company, Niraj Baxi of the Indian American community, Fel Amistad of the Filipino Am. community, Peter Cheng of the Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos community, Ann Mencie of the Korean Am. community, and Leon Chow of the Chinese Am community. In addition, leaders of 80-20 and its affiliates in the area are present. The affiliates include APAPA, CAPA, and CBC which are well known.

   Kathleen To, President of 80-20 said, "Sen. Clinton promised in writing with one unambiguous word, YES that she'll use the power of the Presidency to eliminate all discrimination against Asian Americans in workplaces, including the glass ceiling, and signed it. Sen. Obama willfully refused. That is why we
endorse Sen. Clinton."

   Frank Lee, an 80-20 Board member said, "We are truly fighting for ourselves -- to finally enjoy equal justice and equal opportunity in workplaces -- rights already enjoyed by ALL Americans except for Asian Americans."

   Joel Wong, Former (two times) President of CAPA said, "If we can target an unsupportive top-tier presidential candidate, Sen. Obama, and defeat him soundly in California, Wow. Word will go forth in both Democratic and Republican Parties that politicians are not to ignore the rightful concerns of Asian Americans any more. If they do, there will be severe consequences for the politicians."

   S. B. Woo, Founding President of 80-20 and former Lieutenant Governor of Delaware said, "I urge every registered Asian American, especially Independents, to be sure to vote in the Democratic primary on Super Tuesday. If exit polls verify that Asian Ams come out in droves and vote overwhelmingly for Hillary resulting in her big victory, I assure you that Asian Americans will become first class citizens from that moment on. No politician will ever ignore us again."