APA for Progress Inaugural Celebration and Grassroots Gala

by: rameyko

Wed Dec 24, 2008 at 16:14:34 PM CST

Going to DC and looking for a great inaugural event, but shocked by the price of the galas?  Then check out the APA for Progress AAPI Grassroots Gala and Bollywood Afterparty!  In an elegant venue in Adams Morgan at the heart of DC, the Grassroots Gala offers fine food, open bar, and award winning entertainment at half the cost of most galas.  For those interested in late night partying, there's also an afterparty event to celebrate until dawn.

Best of all, proceeds go not just to cover the expenses, but benefit the APA Civic Project, which helps train and place young, aspiring political activists with progressive campaigns around the country.

Asian Pacific Americans for Progress PAC Presents
The AAPI Grassroots Gala and Afterparty

Come join your fellow grassroots activists as we celebrate our achievements, recognize our leaders and look towards the future!  All proceeds will benefit APAP PAC's activities, including the Civic Project.

DATE:    January 20, 2009
TIME:    8 p.m. to closing
PLACE:   Perry's Restaurant
               1811 Columbia Road
               Washington, D.C. 20009
               http://www.perrysadamsmorgan.com/

AAPI Grassroots Gala (8 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
Celebrating our grassroots leaders
Advance Sale Ticket: $125 (good through Jan. 9th)

Post-Gala After-Party (midnight to closing)
Featuring Ashu Rai and DJ Bobby, Resident DJs for the NYC-based Desilicious parties
Advance Sale Ticket: $50 (good through Jan. 9th)

Please note, there will also be an exclusive Pre-Gala VIP Cocktail Reception from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., celebrating the inaugural year of the Civic Project.  Tickets for this event are $250. A limited number of All Access Passes (tickets to the Gala, the Cocktail Reception and After-Party) are available for $325, as well as special host committee packages for $500. For more info, please email APAPinauguration@gmail.com.

EVENT OVERVIEW:

Celebrate this historic inauguration in one of the most elegant private party venues in D.C.--Perry's Restaurant in the heart of Adams Morgan.  Guests attending this distinctively stylish gala celebration will enjoy a five-star selection of sushi, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and a partial open bar while listening to live jazz performed by world-class musicians. For the after-party, a cash bar and DJ will be available for revelers until dawn.

Austin AAPI for Obama House Party - Sun, Oct. 26

by: rameyko

Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 12:55:10 PM CDT

Hosts: Asian Americans for Obama (Eugenia Beh, Vincent Cho, Kim Hokanson, Ramey Ko)

Contact: Ramey Ko, ramey.ko@gmail.com, 512-577-5729

Location: The Home of Kimberly Hokanson and Vincent Cho, 7815 Hardy Drive, Austin, TX 78757

RSVP (Optional, but Preferred): http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsh77m

Join your fellow Austin area Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders for an afternoon of informative discussion on the upcoming November election. Whether you're a longtime Obama supporter, interested in learning more about the candidate, or new to politics entirely, this house party will provide an opportunity to learn more about Senators Obama & Biden and their policies. Handouts on Obama's position on 10 major issue areas will be available, and we'll be screening a special edition AAPI DVD.

The meeting will also discuss ways to help and get involved with the campaign. Possible surprise appearance by other local Democratic candidates. Bring your friends, family, and colleagues! Spread the word!

*** We're looking for a video projector and screen to use for the event.  Please contact Eugenia Beh at eugenia@asianamericansforobama.com if you can help.***

REMINDER: Asian Americans for Obama vs. Asian Americans for McCain Debate Tomorrow, 6-7 PM - UT

by: rameyko

Sat Oct 04, 2008 at 20:42:19 PM CDT

Where: The University of Texas at Austin, UTC 2.102A

The UT Asian American Round Table, Asian Business Students Association, & Texas Asian Pan-hallenic Council host a pay-per-view worthy debate featuring Shandon Phan, founder, Asian Americans for McCain, and Ramey Ko, founder, Asian Americans for Obama, in the heart of Austin, TX, a strongly Democratic city in a strongly Republican state.  With the backdrop of the Texas Capitol and the surroundings of the University of Texas at Austin, this should be an event for the century.

Potential after-party co-hosted by TAPC and ABSA (maybe Round Table) with proceeds benefiting orgs and some cool cause.

Come cheer on Obama as we dismantle McCain!

Vote for Change Continues This Saturday in Austin (5/17)

by: rameyko

Thu May 15, 2008 at 21:01:54 PM CDT

If you missed it last week or want to keep helping to bring more voters into the process, we will be continuing our efforts this Saturday in conjunction with the Travis County Coordinated Campaign Kick-off.  Join us this Saturday as we help Sen. Obama and down ballot Democrats win in November with a wave of new and energized voters!

What: Voter registration at designated locations around Travis County and blockwalking on designated streets
Where: Nuevo Leon Restaurant, 1501 E. 6th St, map
When: Saturday, May 17, 1:00 PM
RSVP: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4l7

NOTE: Since we'll be outside, we recommend bringing water, sunblock, sunglasses, and a hat.  If you have your own clipboards, a folding table and/or chairs, please feel free to bring them to use at your assigned location.  You can also make and bring a sign for the table.  If you do, we recommend writing: "Register to Vote or Change Your Address."

Ramey Ko for Obama National Delegate, SD-14

by: rameyko

Sat Apr 26, 2008 at 15:20:52 PM CDT

Hi Fellow Obama Supporters,

My name is Ramey Ko, and I'm running to be a delegate for Obama to the Democratic National Convention from Senate District 14, and I am asking for the chance to earn your support. As a young Asian American, I hope to bring a vibrant grassroots perspective to Denver, as well as provide a voice for a community that is just beginning to receive some attention in politics.

Working for Change

I have been an Obama supporter since 2003, when I first met then State Senator Obama as one of my law school professors at the University of Chicago. I helped collect petition signatures to get him on the Democratic primary ballot for US Senate. After he announced his intention to run for president, I founded Asian Americans for Obama in December 2006. Our efforts have lead to the creation of translated outreach materials and Obama videos subtitled in several Asian languages, numerous AAPI targeted voter registration drives, stories in numerous national and local ethnic media outlets, visibility at Asian community events, Asian American phone banks, and even the opening of a grassroots campaign office in the Philadelphia Chinatown.

You can learn more about why I'm running and my work as an activist for Obama at www.RameyKo.com.   Please don't hesitate to e-mail me at Ramey.Ko@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

More Subtitled Obama Videos Available

by: rameyko

Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 12:17:46 PM CDT

There is now a version of Barack's "A More Perfect Union" speech with simplified and traditional Chinese subtitles on YouTube and available for download.  Because of the length of the speech, the YouTube version has been split into four parts.  All four parts are available through this playlist.  Good, better, and best quality Quicktime versions are also available for download from the Captioned Media for Obama directory.

A multilingual version of Si Se Puede has also been posted on Youtube.  It has subtitles in 8 languages (Spanish, English, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, French, Korean, Vietnamese, and German).  A version with simplified and traditional Chinese subtitles is here.

Here are the links to download the videos:

Chinese:
Good
Better
Best

Multilingual:
Good
Better
Best

Ramey Ko
Asian Americans for Obama

Make Calls to Asian Americans in Pennsylvania for Barack!

by: rameyko

Wed Apr 16, 2008 at 12:04:57 PM CDT

The campaign has had a great response, but with only a week left and so much at stake in the Pennsylvania primary, more help is always needed!  They want your help - as well as the help of your friends and colleagues - to reach out to AAPI voters in the critical last week and a half in Pennsylvania.  They are especially looking for Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Cambodian callers, who can use the online tool.

Anyone who wants to call and has not yet signed up should email Van Tamom, AAPI Outreach Director for Pennsylvania, at vtamom@barackobama.com with their name and email address and he can set you up.  We are doing calls 10am - 9pm EST.

Sign up today!

Thanks,
Ramey Ko
Asian Americans for Obama

Austin: Women for Obama/Asian Americans for Obama House Party Recap

by: rameyko

Tue Mar 04, 2008 at 01:55:08 AM CST

Just a few days ago, we found out that we were going to have the privilege of hosting some special guests here in Austin.  This set off a mad rush to put together some events to help spread Barack's message of change through unity.

Yesterday, National Geographic journalist and Oprah special correspondent Lisa Ling visited the Obama HQ in Austin to make a few phone calls.  She also dropped in on a caucus training at the home of Julie Acevedo and rallied the troops.

Today, the Women for Obama group and local Austin arts activist Anne Elizabeth Wynn generously agreed to include Asian Americans for Obama and Lisa in a house party along with Grey's Anatomy star Kate Walsh.  Over 100 people, including around 30 Asian Americans, showed up at Anne Elizabeth's beautiful home to hear Lisa's inspirational message after a heartfelt introduction by Anne Elizabeth.  State Representative Mark Strama, an old friend of Lisa's, also spoke and talked about the importance of hope and changing the equation by recounting the story of his unlikely victory over an incumbent Republican in a majority Republican district in 2004.

The house party guests also had an unexpected surprise when Kansas State Representative Raj Goyle, who has been canvassing neighborhoods and stumping for Obama in Houston, showed up after a South Asians for Obama event.  State Representative Goyle expanded on Rep. Strama's comments by talking about his own astounding victory in a 2 to 1 Republican district that had never elected a Democrat.  Through hard work, reaching out to voters, and most importantly of all, hope and inspiration, Rep. Goyle won an amazing 57% of the vote in defeating an entrenched Republican incumbent.

The diverse crowd was pumped up after our exciting speakers, and thankfully, everyone stayed dry despite the ominous gray skies that threatened rain all afternoon.

See photos from the event here.

Our Overconfidence Must Not Be Our Weakness

by: rameyko

Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 23:38:57 PM CST

The latest Zogby and Belo tracking polls have Clinton gaining ground on Obama.  The Real Clear Politics average is down to an Obama lead of just 0.8 points.  The tracking polls show Clinton gaining ground among Latinos, where Obama was making inroads lately, and among those who state the most important aspect of the race is whether the candidate understands people like me.

Now, as many observers have noted, this mostly emphasizes the unpredictable and very close nature of the race.  But as supporters, we cannot and must not allow our confidence to lead to complacency.  New Hampshire reminded us what happens when people believe a victory is in the bag.  Nevada reminded us that even in a caucus, Clinton's operation can outmaneuver us if we are not prepared.  Recent reports have come out about Clinton's caucus handbook instructing supporters to arrive at caucus locations at 6:30 or even earlier to ensure control of the proceedings.  As a volunteer in Nevada, I saw this precise situation occur, leading many precincts to appear to be under the de facto control of the Clinton camp.

We have two days before March 4.  Regardless of what happens, I know I don't want to look back at this time and wonder if I could have done something more, worked just a little bit harder, made just a little bit more of a difference.  I want to know I did all I could do.  This means that if you're thinking about taking a break from canvassing or phone banking, you might want to think again.  If you're thinking of skipping the caucus because Obama's "ground game" will have it set, think again.  If you're thinking of skipping the reminder to your friends, family, and colleagues to vote and caucus for Obama, think again.

Texas will play a big part in the eventual outcome of this race.  But unless we all do everything we can in the last few days, that part may not be the one we're expecting.

Dallas House Party with Secretary Norman Mineta - Sat. March 1, 5:30 PM

by: rameyko

Sat Mar 01, 2008 at 03:01:28 AM CST

Norman Mineta

for a house party at:

Home of Kevin and Lynette Payne
6101 Mimosa Lane
Dallas, TX 75230

Saturday, March 1, 5:30 PM

RSVP to Phillip Shinoda at shinoda114@gmail.com.

Austin: House Party with Kelly Hu, Lisa Ling, and Kate Walsh, Sun, March 2

by: rameyko

Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 19:35:49 PM CST

A House Party in Support of Sen. Barack Obama
with

Lisa Ling (Channel One, The View, National Geographic's Explorer),
Kelly Hu (Scorpion King, X2, Shanghai Kiss), &
Kate Walsh (Grey's Anatomy)

on
Sunday, March 2, 5:30 PM

at
The Home of Anne Elizabeth Wynn
3604 Windsor Road
Austin, TX 78703
(10 blocks west of MoPac)

Austin: Lisa Ling at Victory Grill Block Party

by: rameyko

Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 17:04:50 PM CST

Former anchor for Channel One, former co-host of the View, and current host of National Geographic's Explorer and special correspondent for the Oprah Winfrey Show Lisa Ling will be joining the Victory Grill Block Party.

Lisa has previously campaigned in Austin on behalf of Representative Mark Strama, an old friend, and is here in Austin to help Sen. Obama win Texas!

Stay tuned for more information about upcoming events this weekend with Lisa.

Responding to the Critics

by: rameyko

Tue Apr 03, 2007 at 11:44:04 AM CDT

If you look closely, there is plenty of data to answer concerns over Senator Obama.

Why I Support Senator Obama

by: rameyko

Sun Apr 01, 2007 at 18:45:15 PM CDT