Hall of Shame: Did White House's Jimmy Lee try to intimidate retired professor?

10.22.06 - Posted by AsiansVote

What's up with Republican leaders and intimidation tactics? First, the campaign of Republican congressional candidate Tan D. Nguyen sent a letter to 14,000 Latino voters threatening them with arrest. Now the 80-20 Initiative claims that Jimmy D. Lee, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, sent an email to the University of Delaware attempting to cause trouble for a retired professor who has been critical of the Republican Party.

According to the 80-20 Initiative blog, the 80-20 Initiative sought meetings with leaders of both the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee in order to determine its endorsement in the upcoming elections. When the RNC refused to arrange a meeting between RNC Chair Ken Mehlman and 80-20 Initiative President S.B. Woo (offering a meeting with lower ranked RNC officials instead), the 80-20 Initiative called on its Republican members to lobby Mehlman's office directly to ask why.

The result? According to the 80-20 Initiative blog, Jimmy D. Lee, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, sent a letter to the University of Delaware attempting to get S.B. Woo in trouble for sending emails from his university email address. Here's the letter:

President Roselle and Provost Rich:

Our office received this email* from one of your faculty this past weekend. I am forwarding this to your attention. I hope that his views and his perspective is not representative of the university. I imagine that your university shares our vision of working with all communities and all parties in this country and we are here to serve the people of this country.

Even if Professor Woo's emails do not represent your university and the views of your leadership, the impression is out there (through his use of the university email address) that your university is supportive of his work and the thoughts portrayed through this email.

Our office asks that you respond promptly and look into this matter. Thank you.

Jimmy D. Lee
Executive Director
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

If true, this is absolutely reprehensible. Does the White House believe that university professors have no right to criticize the Republican National Committee? As the 80-20 Initiative notes, University of Delaware President David Roselle informed Jimmy Lee that Professor Woo violated no policies in sending his email. The 80-20 Initiative's conclusion?

The above exchange of emails best illustrates what America is all about. It is not about official titles, it is about right and wrong. Dirty politicians, from both political parties, have used their titles to intimidate AsAms for decades, particularly recent immigrants, for financial contributions or for partisan political advantages.

Stand up for justice and your rights, fellow Asian Ams. Don't let unethical politicians intimate you ever again.

Hear, hear.

What the alleged Tan Nguyen and Jimmy Lee incidents both share is an attempt by those in power to intimidate minorities who dare to exercise fundamental American rights of speaking their mind and voting. As we draw nearer to Election Day, be prepared for more stories of Republican intimidation of voters and citizens. Keep track. Spread the word. And don't let anyone stop you from speaking out and voting.

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10.22.06 | Civil Rights & Liberties , Hall of Shame , Issues