nwasianweekly.com
July 26, 2008

Photo provided by Ruthann Kurose

Gov. Gregoire (left) smiles with Ruthann Kurose (center) and Michelle Obama at a Democratic fundraiser July 17, 2008, in Seattle. (Photo provided by Ruthann Kurose)

Locals reflect on Michelle Obama’s Seattle visit & Asian American support

By Eleanor Lee
Northwest Asian Weekly

Michelle Obama is really, really tall.

That was one of the prevailing impressions people received of the wife of Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, at a Democratic fundraiser July 17 at the WaMu Theater at Qwest Field.

Obama, who is 5 feet 11 inches by her own account, visited Seattle to help raise money for Gov. Chris Gregoire’s re-election campaign, as well as campaign for her own husband.

She told the approximately 1,600 attendees that Gregoire and Barack Obama share “the same vision for this country.” Though her husband’s campaign slogan is “Change we can believe in,” Obama emphasized, in reference to Gregoire’s incumbency, “Don’t change it if it ain’t broken.”

Gregoire was an early supporter of the Obama campaign, announcing her endorsement in February, when he was still slightly behind Hillary Clinton in the nomination process.

Obama praised Gregoire’s record, noting that when she took office, unemployment in the state was at an all-time high and Gregoire turned the numbers around, creating more than 200,000 jobs. Several audience members considered this a slight to former Gov. Gary Locke, noting that Gregoire came into office after Locke. Locke had supported Clinton until just before she conceded the nomination race.

A few attendees were also disturbed that Obama did not mention Locke by name as a supporter, or any key Asian American supporters, for that matter. Other early Obama supporters include Ruthann Kurose, who was instrumental in persuading several Asian American community leaders who were undecided to throw their support behind Barack Obama. Her daughter, Mika, spent last summer as a campaign volunteer in Iowa, canvassing for the primary there. This summer and fall, she is once again supporting the Obama campaign full time, even taking a semester off from college to focus on the election.

She also organized a contingent of Asian American leaders to carry Obama for President signs at the Chinatown Seafair Parade July 20. It was the only political group in the parade comprised solely of Asian Americans.

One campaign volunteer, who asked for anonymity, said she felt Obama did not make any gestures towards the Asian American community at all.

Still, others were extremely happy with her appearance in Seattle. Scott Oki, a Democratic national committee member, pointed out that Obama didn’t mention any specific supporters by name, other than the event’s sponsor.

Benson Wong, an attorney who sponsored a table at the event, said, “I’m a big fan of Gary’s, and I did not get that impression (that Obama slighted Locke).”

He continued, “I think (Barack Obama’s) campaign has been inclusive of all people.”

Wong said he was impressed with Obama’s presence at the fundraiser, explaining, “I tend to really believe the spouse of a candidate provides voters with a good idea of the character of the candidate.” He described Obama as “intelligent, genuine and down to earth,” and was especially impressed that her speech, “given the size of the room,” was one “you’d find in a small setting, in a living room. She was really connecting to people on a one-on-one basis. You wanted to listen to her.”

Beth Takekawa, the executive director of Wing Luke Asian Museum, also praised Obama and her appearance at Gregoire’s fundraiser. She said, “I was glad the future First Lady came to Washington state. I think her connection with Gov. Gregoire is good for future state needs.”

Takekawa related a personal connection to the woman she confidently assumes will be in the White House: “Michelle Obama, when she was Michelle Robinson, was one of my mother’s students when she taught high school science in Chicago. I’m sure my mother would be proud of her former student who is going far!”

Assunta Ng contributed to this report. Material was also taken from the Associated Press.

Eleanor Lee can be reached at e.lee@nwasianweekly.com.

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