Behind The
Congressional Curtain Now Taking Applications for the Next Bobby Jindal By Neal Patel What political misfortune do former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have in common with President Barack Obama? All were unsuccessful in their initial bid to become a Member of the United States House of Representatives. Thereafter, each channeled their inner Tip O’ Neill by adopting the mantra, “All politics is local.” In harnessing their energy and turning their focus toward election for local office, all three were able to begin their rapid ascent to power. And the rest, as they say, is history. I feel our South Asian community can learn a valuable lesson from this. Working on Capitol Hill, I constantly hear the buzz surrounding the rise of the South Asian demographic in America from Members of Congress. During these candid conversations, I always ask Members of the House and Senate, Democrats and Republicans alike, “What are your thoughts about the South Asian community?” Here is what I have learned. Known for having deep pockets, our community is now being recognized for its stellar stable of political candidates. Governors Bobby Jindal and Nikki Haley immediately come to mind. However, it should be noted: their individual rises to political stardom were not overnight successes. To the contrary, Governor Haley served six years in the South Carolina General Assembly before moving into the Governor’s Mansion in 2011. Governor Jindal made an unsuccessful attempt in 2003 before ultimately being elevated to Louisiana’s chief executive office in 2007. Such experiences should serve as the blueprint for future waves of South Asian candidates seeking to enter the world of public service. Start local and form a base of support while continuing to build a formidable ground game. Unlike other groups and ethnicities in American politics, South Asians do not have the benefit of a large voting bloc in terms of population. Nor are we afforded the luxury of having accumulated power through generations of political entrenchment. Yet, these things should not stop us. We possess an entrepreneurial spirit, an attitude and willingness to succeed unsurpassed by any other group, and a competitive streak second to none. (Remember when you’re one in a million in India, there are one thousand other people just like you.) Not to mention, our cultural networks are deep and vast, in terms of numbers as well as geographical distance, due to extended families and/or friend circles. Coupling all these with the affluence experienced by many in our community, you have all the ingredients needed to form a successful political foundation. South Asians are definitely on the up and coming list of attractions in the realm of politics, and deservedly so. Growing up in Nichols, South Carolina, a town of 400 people with no stop lights, I witnessed how all politics is local. Whether it means overcoming zoning restrictions to open a new business or attempting to improve your child’s school district by voting for school board members, you have to engage in local politics. Those who do not are simply not given a seat at the table. Plain Saathee.com
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and simple. Political success on any level can be boiled down to one thing: the ability to understand and address the needs of local citizens. In order to do that, members of our community must be willing to be active and voice their concerns. Fortunately for the South Asian community in the Carolinas, we are gaining traction in the political world. Many politicos and Members of Congress are noticing our work in our communities and paying attention to the surge South Asians are experiencing not just in the Carolinas but across the nation. Aside from Governors Jindal and Haley, we have numerous candidates running for local office across the country from both sides of the aisle. Behind the scenes, we have many South Asians working as senior staffers and aides in every facet of government from city hall to high-level appointees in the White House. I applaud all these efforts, because now is the time for our community to lay the foundation for future generations. We have to build the political infrastructure and network today in order for tomorrow’s South Asian candidate to have a chance to fully succeed. Every other dominant ethnic group enjoys having a formidable base of support for their candidates. Whether it’s the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or the Congressional Black Caucus, or the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, groups are already ahead of our community. There are over three million South Asians in the United States. To put that in perspective, that’s half of the Jewish population in the United States. We have half its numbers with practically none of its clout. In essence, we have to build influence from the ground up. The South Asian community continues to be underrepresented on all levels of American politics. While the money aspect is vital to political success, it is not an elixir. I am asking for you to become more involved in your community. Run for city council, join your local school board, and become involved with political campaigns on any level: city, county, state, or federal. Other communities are using the tools of innovation to get ahead; we cannot afford to be left behind due to inaction. Being on the front lines and working in Congress, I remain wildly optimistic with regard to the advancement of South Asians in politics. Given our community’s demographics, we have the potential to be a huge force, but we must not delay becoming organized and involved. The tools to succeed are already present. We, as a collective community, must seize the moment and commit to advancing our own cause. After all, if we don’t do it, who else will? While I am fully aware, Rome was not built in a day. I would like to point out, I do not believe any of its engineers or contractors were South Asian. Coincidence? You be the judge. Neal Patel currently serves as Communications Director for Congressman Charles Boustany, Jr., M.D., Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on oversight. In this capacity, Neal acts as the Congressman’s primary spokesman, speech writer, counsel, and senior adviser. He is a native of Nichols, South Carolina, and a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and the Charleston School of Law.
Neal Patel Neal Patel is the Communications Director for Congressman Charles Boustany, Jr., M.D. neal.patel@mail.house.gov September 2012