Talking about eating at Asian restaurants and visiting massage parlors is not the best way to impress Asian-American voters, two Republican mayoral candidates found out the hard way Tuesday night.
Spectators left a midtown forum on issues in the Asian-American community shaking their heads at comments by GOP hopefuls John Catsimatidis and George McDonald.
The pair startled the crowd at the Asian American Federation event when they responded to a question about patronizing Asian-American businesses. Catsimatidis boasted that his family loves “Asian food,” while McDonald touted the Japanese restaurant Wasabi Lobby and a “very inexpensive” massage therapist.
“The shirt I have on I picked up this morning from Helen, who is the dry cleaner on my block,” the Doe Fund founder added.
AAF Chairman George Wang said the remarks — well-meant or not — struck the wrong chord.
“I was surprised that the candidates would come to a meeting convened by the Asian American Federation [and] not better understand that community,” Wang said. “I don’t want to put them down for a silly or unfortunate comment, but I think they need to . . . to better educate themselves.”
Adolfo Carrion, an independent seeking to run in the GOP primary, scored higher marks. Republican frontrunner Joe Lhota missed the event.
