Few give Neel Kashkari any chance of unseating incumbent Jerry Brown to become California’s next governor.
If elected the Indian American would become not only California’s first Asian American governor. He would become the state’s first governor of color.
Thus does Kashkari have anything to lose by depicting himself helping a drowning boy while the text reads “When kids in failing schools begged Jerry Brown for rescue, he betrayed them.”
The implication being Kashkari is the only candidate who can save our children.
India West reports that the ad has been criticized for being over the top.
“This smacks of desperation,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, a political scientist who has done much research on Asian Americans.
Vanila Singh who ran in the primary but lost and now chairs Kashkari’s Indo American Coalition defends the spot.
“Neel’s challenge is to be heard,” she said. “He’s grabbing attention about the future of our children; our kids are in dire straits.”
You can read other reaction to the ad in India West.
You can see for yourself in the clip below.
