Influential Asian-American lobby group endorses Kerry's candidacy

Body hopes to sway community's undecided voters

The Asian-American political lobby group 80-20 Initiative has endorsed Senator John Kerry as its choice for president in the hope that the 2.9 million Asian-American 'likely voters' will deliver a bloc vote to the Democratic Party's candidate.

The web-based group, which is capable of reaching 70 per cent of Asian-American registered voters within 30 hours, has sponsored television advertisements broadcast in the US in Asian languages on satellite TV channels such as Jade (TVB), Phoenix TV and ETTV to give Senator Kerry a push in the run-up to election day.

After comparing the policies of both candidates, the group's executive - which includes an equal number of Republicans, Democrats and independents - voted unanimously to endorse Senator Kerry, whose policies they deemed to be better for Asian-American communities.

Shien-biau Woo, president of the 80-20 Initiative and former lieutenant-governor of the state of Delaware, said Senator Kerry and running-mate John Edwards were chosen as both promised in writing to help enforce Executive Order 11246, which would help Asian-Americans achieve equal opportunities in the workplace.

'The pledge will give Asian-Americans hope in getting raises, promotions and rising to the top,' Mr Woo said. According to a recent poll by New California Media, Senator Kerry led Mr Bush by 43 to 36 per cent among more than 1,000 Asian and Pacific islanders surveyed.