Anti-Obama Asians Accused of Racism

Barack Obama's low support among Asian-Americans is sparking cries of racism, Time reports. "On a gut level my reaction is that at least some Asian-Americans are uncomfortable voting for a black candidate," one analyst said. But some Asians resent the charge: A recent CNN show on the topic was blasted by an Asian PAC, which backs Clinton, and Asian bloggers, who seem to prefer Obama.

Critics chalk up Hillary Clinton’s Asian edge to many factors, including immigrants' conservative politics, Obama's tendency to talk about only blacks and whites when he gives stump speeches on racial unity, and limited contact between Asians and blacks. Immigrants are also used to female leaders, such as Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan and Indira Gandhi in India. Regardless, Obama still pulled out a win yesterday in his old home-state of Hawaii, despite its 60% Asian-American population. (More Asian-Americans stories.)