The Sikh Coalition submitted a questionnaire to major and minor political-party candidates on how they would govern on issues of particular concerns to Sikhs.
Of the 13 candidates, three answered most of the questions: Obama; Ralph Nader, Independent Party; Gloria La Riva, Party of Socialism and Liberation; and Gene Amondson, Prohibition Party. Roger Calero of the Socialist Workers Party sent a statement instead.
The glaring omission was that of McCain.
The Coalition first sent the questionnaire to all primary candidates in November 2007, and then again in the spring when Obama became the presumed Democratic candidate. It received an email from the campaign in late May confirming receipt of the questionnaire, said Neha Singh, the Coalition’s West coast director. But by late June, the campaign sent an email saying: “We don’t do questionnaires.”
But it does. In September, the McCain campaign answered questionnaires from Scientists and Engineers for America and the American Farm Bureau Federation. It also answered a questionnaire from the American Association of Retired Persons, although the date is not known.
Yet, other organizations, like Project Vote Smart, have also complained about the McCain campaign’s refusal to answer questionnaires. In August, The Sanctuary, a pro-migrant group, complained that it did not get answers from McCain on immigration, foreign policy and workers’ rights. Obama answered.
After the McCain campaign’s rejection, the Coalition asked for a partial response or statement, like it sent to the National Alliance on Mental Illness in December. No response.
It also continued to contact the campaign.
“We made 50 to 60 phone calls, (numerous) emails and other methods. We even approached Sikh fundraisers,” Neha Singh said. And about 800 emails went out last month from the Sikh community to the McCain campaign. No response.
“We made a good-faith effort,” Neha Singh said. The Coalition posted its voter guide on Oct. 28, just days before the election.
Obama’s responses were the most prolific of the candidate responses:
“I believe that several of my public positions have been responsive to the needs and interests of the (Sikh) community. I have a strong position against religious profiling and hate crimes, …and I have long advocated for comprehensive immigration reform and greater efforts at family reunification and streamlining the immigration process, without demonizing hard working American immigrants.”
La Riva’s responses were candid.
“The U.S. government and U.S. media have been largely responsible for whipping up hysteria and anti-immigrant hostility for the purpose of demonizing peoples of the Middle East and other areas where the U.S. carries out wars and occupations.”
Nader’s responses were direct and brief.
“Instead of criminalizing working people, criminalize the employers who exploit and break the laws.”
And Amondson seemed to know the least about Sikhs.
“We have to profile, take off the hat if you do not want it.... but my friends tell me how to know a Sikh. I am glad, because I think you are good people.”
By Anju Kaur - Sikh News Network staff journalist
