The political attitudes and values of Indian Americans tend to be more progressive and Democratic than other Americans of comparable backgrounds, according to a focus group of likely Indian-American voters conducted in Northern Virginia this summer by the Campaign for America’s Future.
Participating voters saw themselves aligned closely with Democrats and very far from Republicans on a wide range of economic, cultural and international issues. The opinion research marks the first exploration of its type into the rapidly growing Indian-American population, which holds tremendous potential for political activism if properly engaged.
In a memorandum to community and political leaders that outlines the study’s findings, Campaign for America’s Future communications director Toby Chaudhuri said that the results of the study suggest enormous opportunities to engage Indian Americans for support with progressive and Democratic battles.
“These Indian Americans clearly saw Barack Obama as a candidate who shares their values, has the right priorities for turning around our troubled economy and as the best possible leader to re-establish our standing in the world,” said Chaudhuri. “Participants in the focus group were deeply troubled by where they saw the country headed after eight years of President Bush, placing great hope in Barack Obama, who they see as a jolt of fresh air.”
Participants were knowledgeable about some issues unique to the Indian-American community, but those issues were not their priorities. Further, their attitudes toward core issues like our country’s direction, the economy, the war in Iraq and energy policy, were virtually indistinguishable from other progressive-leaning Americans.
The study however cautioned against “drawing actionable conclusions from a single 2-hour discussion with seven people.” It added that 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.”
Overall political mood
Participants universally agreed that America is facing numerous difficulties that 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 that is simply not producing good jobs as the cost of living 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.
The study said that 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 India-American professionals were not angry about economic conditions or the causes of 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,” it said.
“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,” it said.
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 the country’s economic problems and maintain a 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 the U.S. economy and that 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, the study noted.
The participants were pained by the situation facing the country’s 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,” it said.
The participants 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, the study said.
“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,” the study said.
President Bush and the Republican Party
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, said the study.
The study said “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.”
It added: “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, it noted: “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.
The Democrats and the Obama effect
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.
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, it said.
Barack Obama’s candidacy appears to provide an historic opportunity for Democrats to form “a deep and enduring connection with Indian Americans,” the study said.
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, it said.
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 they said 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, the study said.
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.
The only positive thing people could say about Sen. John McCain was his experience, and the study said, “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.”
Indian-American values and themes
In addition to discussion about the political parties, the overall environment, and the 2008 election, the focus group 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, energy, health care, illegal immigration, education and social issues.
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, the study said.
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.
Participants held a deep conviction that the last eight years of Bush foreign policy have damaged America’s leverage around the world, and the country’s need to get back to a more integrated military, diplomatic and economic approach in 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 the on U.S. 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, the study noted.
Family values
Closeness to family was clearly important to these participants who emphasized that tight families instill good values. 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.
A senior Indian-American community leader and a member of Obama’s election campaign, who spoke to the Express on condition of anonymity, said that though the survey represented a first for gauging the community’s sentiments, too much should not be read into its results, as it comprised only of a slice of sentiments.
“If there were to be a focus study of a small group of Indian-American Republicans, it would no doubt be reflective of the best of the Republican party’s interests,” said the community leader.
