Rather, Mr. Fong has become the unlikely poster boy for the Republican Party of the next millennium-a party that's trying desperately to shed its image as the enclave of rich, white males. With Caucasians in California slipping quickly into minority status, Republicans are scrambling to win the loyalties of the ascending plurality. That's why this section of Los Angeles known as Koreatown is getting so much attention from political hopefuls of all stripes. Earlier today, GOP gubernatorial candidate Dan Lungren campaigned in an upscale shopping mall just blocks from the present fundraiser. Shoppers there, by all accounts, were less than awed by the VIP white guy in their midst.
Tonight is different.
Mr. Fong is a favorite son, the Asian-American kid who made good. Everyone inquires after his mother, March Fong Eu, who served for 20 years as the California's Democratic secretary of state. They hang on his every word and laugh a little too loudly at his jokes. Asians here are traditionally considered a Democratic voting bloc, but not this time. But I like what he stands for.