ANNANDALE, Va.—Candidates from Virginia’s 8th, 10th, and 11th congressional districts were throwing some hard punches at a candidates forum on Sept. 17.
Defending their records before a largely Asian American audience were Congressman Jim Moran (D), Congressman Gerry Connolly (D), and Barbara Comstock, who spoke on behalf of Congressman Frank Wolf (R).
Forums provide an opportunity for the challengers to get a jab or two at their better-known incumbent opponents. Candidates Patrick Murray (R) faced off against Congressman Moran; Jeff Barnett (D) battled Congressman’s Wolf’s surrogate Barbara Comstock; and Keith Fimian (R) squared off against Congressman Connolly.
If you missed these lively debates, you will get another chance to see it in its entirety during Oct. 13-15. On those days, New Tang Dynasty Television DC will broadcast the recorded Asian American Candidates Forum (AACF) (with Chinese subtitles) on WDCW Channel 50.3 and Verizon FiOS Channel 482. The programs begin each of the nights at 8 PM.
A diverse coalition consisting of 14 Asian Pacific American civic organizations, businesses and community advocates organized the AACF, providing the Asian American community in Northern Virginia the opportunity to see their candidates up close and question them on the issues affecting their lives.
These debates did not disappoint. It was a fast-paced affair, with candidates limited to two minute opening remarks and just one minute answers to rapid questions put before them by moderator Dong Xiang, executive director of NTDTV-DC.
Today, a candidate, especially in Northern Virginia or in Montgomery county Maryland, cannot afford to ignore the large Asian American community. Asian Americans generally vote in high numbers and could play a pivotal role in influencing the November midterm elections.
In Fairfax county in Northern Virginia, 15 percent of businesses are owned by Asian Americans (Census, 2009), who make up 16 percent of the county population (Census, 2002). In Montgomery County, Asian Americans make up 14 percent of the population (Census, 2009) and own 11 percent of businesses (Census, 2002).
This forum looms in importance too because the percentage of undecided Asian American voters is much higher than the national average. Asian Americans constitute a growing constituency and forums like these provide an outlet for their particular concerns. The organizers especially emphasized good education and opportunities for small business.
NTDTV-DC delivers news, information and entertainment to local Chinese community, nearly all programming is in Mandarin. This forum conducted in English increases its programming to non-Chinese-speaking viewers. Currently, NTD has two global programs, Asia Brief and World News, Monday through Friday, each of which is one-half hour that is in English. Additionally, there is some programming in English on the NTDTV website.
NTD-DC, an independent affiliate of NTD TV, serves the Washington, D.C. metro region.
