 Badi could do better
... in the California race for governor
By Majid Yekan
October 5, 2003
The Iranian
I attended Payavand's
Mehregan festival in Cupertino and listened to Badi
Badiozamani, one of the Iranian-American candidates for
California governor. Then something clicked
and I wanted to speak to him about it but couldn't.
Here's
what I propose: What Badiozamani
has done has been great for us. He has brought a fair amount
of recognition to Iranian-Americans.
However, being practical, I ask what is the chance of him getting
elected? Not much and that is a gross understatement. If all
-- and I mean all -- eligible Iranian-Americans vote
for him on Tuesday, his name might end up in the top 10
candidates with the most votes.
However, Iranian-Americans have their own priorities
and preferences. Some will vote Democratic because they belong
to a union or believe that Democratic governors will support
their
causes the best. Some are Republicans and will vote for the
top Repubmican candidates.
Some are practical and want their
vote
count in electing someone. Many Iranians saw how voting for Ralph
Nader elected Bush. Because of all these reasons, I really believe
Badiozamani will not get
a significant share of the vote. I'm afraid if he gets just
a few thousand votes it could even be counter productive. Politics
is the art of compromise. That is why I suggest that Badiozamani
consider talking
to the top candidates of both main parties and then negotiate
with the best candidate to get him to support the causes that
are dear
to Iranian-Americans.
Then he can promise the candidate that he would
go on Iranian TV and radio stations to throw his support
behind the chosen candidate. Hopfully, if the person gets elected
then he can have an open channel to the future governor and
achieve more for the Iranian-Americans and himself.
I even hope
that Badiozamani gets appointed head of a govenment board or
committee. This way he could build up your network and hopfully
may be a
major party will support his candidacy for some top political
office such as governorship, senate, or congress in the future.
I know many will not like this idea but
I really believe it would be better for you and Iranian-Americans?
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Badi could do better