Wednesday, May 8, 2024
ADVT 
Interesting

Why Do Indian-Americans Support Clinton Over Trump?

IANS, 17 Oct, 2016 01:41 PM
    The Indian-Americans largely support Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton because of the unique relationship she has built with the community and India, according to one of her major backers.
     
    "Historically, Indian-Americans, like other Asian Americans and a lot of other immigrant groups, have been big supporters of the Democratic Party," Frank Islam, an India-born entrepreneur and philanthropist told IANS.
     
    "It has been more inclusive and more welcoming toward all immigrants," he said, adding "I doubt any other American politician has been able to build the kind of relationship with the Indian American community - and India as Clinton."
     
    "Additionally she has been a champion of the middle class for decades," Islam said. 
     
    "As President, she wants to provide better health care and better jobs for all Americans."
     
    "Hillary has been a staunch ally of India and she recognised that Indian-Americans have enabled the US to be a stronger and healthier nation," he added.
     
     
    Roughly 70 per cent Indian-Americans plan to vote for Hillary Clinton compared with 7 per cent for her Republican rival Donald Trump, according to most recent polls cited by the Washington Post.
     
    "I am a big fan of Hindu and a big fan of India," Trump told a rally organised by the Republican Hindu Coalition in Edison, New Jersey over the weekend.
     
    He also praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "great man", saying the two nations would be "best friends" and "there won't be any relationship more important to us".
     
    "Indian-Americans, as a community, have shunned Donald Trump, and rightfully so," asserted Islam. 
     
    But he conceded that "Trump has touched the nerve of angry and uneducated white working class voters."
     
    "His message on job losses is resonating with these people," he said, adding "Clinton is making every effort to reach out to this demography."
     
    "With her strong economic message, I am confident she will succeed converting a significant section of this group to her side."
     
    Islam was also confident that Clinton will offer "true friendship" to India and "take the US-India relations to the next level".
     
     
    Noting that "since 1992, the US-India relations have gotten better and better under every president, whether a Democrat or Republican," he said. "I have no doubt that the ties will continue to be nurtured under a Clinton administration."
     
    "There will be focus on trade and economic partnership, on cooperation in the area of defence and counter-terrorism, and on climate change and other global issues," Islam said noting there is bipartisan support for India in the US.
     
    Islam, who is on Hillary Clinton's national finance committee, found it hard to say how much money the community has raised for the Clinton campaign, but he himself is on pace to raise close to $1 million for it.
     
    Republican Hindu Coalition's founder, Shalabh Kumar, is one of rival Trump's biggest fundraisers, according to the Washington Post.
     
    Together with his immediate family, Kumar has given almost $2 million to super political action committees that support Trump, it said.

    MORE Interesting ARTICLES

    Indian-Origin Man Speaks Out About Assault Post-Brexit

    Indian-Origin Man Speaks Out About Assault Post-Brexit
    An Indian-origin digital marketing consultant today said he was attacked five days after Britain voted to leave the European Union (EU) on June 23.

    Indian-Origin Man Speaks Out About Assault Post-Brexit

    2-Month-Old Australia-Born Baby To Celebrate Diwali In India, Thanks To Sushma Swaraj

    2-Month-Old Australia-Born Baby To Celebrate Diwali In India, Thanks To Sushma Swaraj
    The baby's mother Aditi Chandak, who holds an Indian passport, had appealed to Ms Swaraj to extend the baby's stay in India so that they could celebrate Diwali in New Delhi.

    2-Month-Old Australia-Born Baby To Celebrate Diwali In India, Thanks To Sushma Swaraj

    US Launches Scheme To Drive Cashless Payments In India

    US Launches Scheme To Drive Cashless Payments In India
    The US Agency for International Development (USAID) today announced the launch of a new initiative - 'Catalyst: Inclusive Cashless Payment Partnership'.

    US Launches Scheme To Drive Cashless Payments In India

    'Getting Old, Can't Hear You, Write To Me,' Obama Tells Protester

    US President Barack Obama has told a woman who protested against him at an event in Ohio to write a letter to him as he has grown old and cannot hear her.

    'Getting Old, Can't Hear You, Write To Me,' Obama Tells Protester

    Fed Mortgage Changes Inject Uncertainty Into Real Estate Market, CREA Says

    The federal government's recent changes to mortgage lending rules have injected uncertainty into the real estate market, the president of the Canadian Real Estate Association said Friday.

    Fed Mortgage Changes Inject Uncertainty Into Real Estate Market, CREA Says

    Donald Trump Says Would Recognise Jerusalem As Israeli Capital

    Donald Trump Says Would Recognise Jerusalem As Israeli Capital
    Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said that if voted to power he would recognise Jerusalem as "one true" capital of Israel.

    Donald Trump Says Would Recognise Jerusalem As Israeli Capital