APA Voters Help Push Webb Over the Top
By ELLEN ENDO
Rafu Managing Editor
Friday, Nov. 10, 2006

Incumbent’s remark cited as reason for erosion of support.

Richmond.Va.—Asian American voters are being credited today for playing a decisive role in Jim Webb’s narrow 7,000-vote victory over incumbent Sen. George F. Allen (R-Va.), giving Democrats control in the United States Senate.

Earlier this year, Allen was favored to win re-election easily and was even being touted as a potential Presidential candidate, but by late summer, the voters’ growing discontent over America’s involvement in Iraq and Allen’s use of a racially derogatory term began to erode his sizeable support.

At an Aug. 11 rally, Allen pointed to one of Webb’s campaign workers and said,  “You, whatever your name is, in the yellow shirt--‘macaca’…welcome to America and the real world of Virginia.” Macaca, a type of monkey, is considered a racial slur. The target of the remark, student S.R. Sidarth is of Indian descent and was born and raised in Virginia.  

Later, Allen apologized and claimed not to know what the term means and couldn’t recall saying it.  Unfortunately, the gaff was caught on tape, and the story appeared in the Washington Post on Aug. 15. The ensuing anti-Allen movement reached across the U.S.

Japanese American filmmaker Eric Byler of Los Angeles was quick to become a Webb supporter, rallying friends, family, and associates to make 1,000 phone calls on the Vietnam veteran’s behalf.  Byler also co-wrote and shot a campaign video in Hawaii featuring Daniel Dae Kim of television’s “Lost” series and the movie, “Crash.” The video, which underscores Allen’s remarks, was posted on www.YouTube.com and received 2,000 in the first 24 hours. 

Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA, 15th District), vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, was also among Webb’s supporters.

“Asian Americans have emerged as a power block here in Virginia,” campaign spokesperson Annabel Park told The Rafu Shimpo. “Anyone who wants to get elected here cannot ignore the Asian American voter.”

According to Census figures, Asian Americans represent 4.3 per cent of Virginia’s population and are the fastest growing ethnic group in the state, having increased by more than 50 per cent between 1990 and 2000.