Top poll bets join Fil-Am amity day

July 16, 2008  --  Got something to say?
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VIRGINIA BEACH - Top American politicians, led by former Democrtic Virginia Gov. Mark Warner who’s running for the Senate in November, were among the candidates who joined Filipino American groups which celebrated the annual Philippine-American Friendship Day with a cookout here.
Both the local Republican and Democratic parties here put up booths at the Red Wing Park where the cookout was held. It drew all of the Commonwealth of
Virginia’s top political guns, ABS-CBN’s Rodney Jaleco said. The Fil-Ams of the Hampton Roads region of southern Virginia have been celebrating American and Philippine Independence Days on the weekend nearest to July 4, since 1994.
Here’s Jaleco’s report:
Joe Ortega, president of the Olongapo Association of Tidewater, has been
spearheading the event for the past four years. “This provides a unique
and exciting family-oriented event that can make us more unified,” he
explained.
But being an election year, it was perhaps inevitable that some
politicians would try to make their pitches at this gathering. What
surprised many was the attendance - all of the contenders made a
determined bid to win over the Filipino Americans and appeared to buttress
perceptions about the community’s growing clout in Virginia politics.
Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonell enjoys a joke from Fil-Am
supporters as he tries to get a head-start on the Commonwealth’s
gubernatorial race that will be held next year.
Virginia’s popular former Gov. Mark Warner waded into the crowd. “Beyond
being a former governor, I’m now looking for work,” he told them. The
Democratic Party once considered Warner presidential timber but he
backed out after Sen. Barack Obama announced his candidacy. He was
reportedly in the list of possible running mates for Obama but has
already decided to campaign for a Senate seat in November.
“This is not the first time I’ve come to this 4th of July celebration of
the Filipino community but I hope to back (next year) as your United
States Senator,” he declared.
His opponent, former Virginia Attorney General Jim Gilmore, preceded
Warner as the Commonwealth’s governor. A Republican stalwart, he too was
eyed as presidential material but was sidetracked when the GOP nominated
him to replace Sen. John Warner who opted to retire before his term ended.
Gilmore arrived late but made it up by pressing the flesh at Red Wing.
“This area has traditionally voted Republican,” retired US Navy Capt.
Manny Hipol explained to ABS-CBN’s Balitang America. Retired US Navy
servicemen form the core of the growing Fil-Am community here, which
suggests a deep conservatism that is one of the pillars of the
Republican ideology.
But Hipol, who is chairman of the umbrella Council of United Filipino
Organizations of Tidewater, conceded the teetering economy and slow
resolution of American involvement in Iraq could push many Fil-Ams,
including those who see themselves as conservatives, to the Democratic bets.
Glenn Nye was a career diplomat, serving in Macedonia, Singapore and the
Middle East. He is the Democratic nominee for the 2nd district of
Virginia in the House of Representatives.
“I’m here because it’s important to celebrate the diversity of our
community,” Nye declared.
“We’re so proud and blessed to have so many Filipino Americans here with
us in Virginia Beach. They not only help us with the diversity of our
community and reach out to the world, but they help connect us to the
Philippines and help us understand the value of learning from other
cultures,” he tells Balitang America.
Nye is running against incumbent Rep. Thelma Drake, who rode on a
horse-drawn carriage at the parade of Fil-Am organizations earlier in
the day.
The presence of contenders sometimes produced awkward moments. Virginia
Beach’s long-time Mayor Meyera Oberndorf has been a familiar face in
most Fil-Am gatherings. She often asks Fil-Ams to call her “Tita” or
Auntie, a favorite term of respect and endearment among elder Fil-Ams here.
She is the first woman to be elected into office in Virginia Beach and
became the first woman mayor in 1988 - and at age 67, she’s never
relinquished the post since.
Her smile broke when 29-year-old Scott Taylor climbed up the makeshift
stage. He is a former US Navy SEAL and Iraq war veteran. After the Navy,
Taylor formed his own real estate development company. Addressing his
audience, he deliberately avoided looking at Oberndorf who was sitting
within his arm’s reach.
Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonell meanwhile was obviously trying to
get a head start against his opponent. The race for Virginia governor
won’t be happening until next year. But he felt the Fil-Am vote
important enough to ask for them a year in advance.


Posted by News Team | Filed Under US News 

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