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Alex Chen 8:05 PM

Welcome @Andy Wong

Alex Chen 8:05 PM

RK's CM

Alex Chen 8:06 PM

@Kai Zhu - Moderator Thanks for your moderation

Ro Khanna 8:06 PM

Hi everyone. This is Andy Wong, Ro's Deputy Campaign Manager. Ro is running a little behind, but should be with us shortly. Thank you so much for everyone's patience.

Liao 8:06 PM

Welcome!

Bin He 8:07 PM

Welcome

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:07 PM

Mr. Khanna has not arrived yet, this is Andy.

8:07 PM

I still remember the precinct walking training you gave us. Appreciate it very much!

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:08 PM

@Liao - Change your alias to "Liao - Standby Moderator" please, thank you.

Ro Khanna 8:08 PM

Absolutely. Happy we could facilitate the training!

8:09 PM

Andy, I was there that afternoon too [Smile]

Ro Khanna 8:09 PM

That's great. Hope the training was informative!

8:09 PM

Yes it was very helpful, thanks again.

Ro Khanna 8:09 PM

And hello again everyone. Thanks again for everyone's patience as we wait for Ro to join us.

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:09 PM

No problem.

Liao - Standby Moderator 8:10 PM

Just changed my alias.

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:10 PM

Hello everyone!

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:10 PM

We are honored and very pleased to have Mr. Ro Khanna here tonight at SVCA’s WeChat group. It is a terrific opportunity for all of us to have a chance of meeting Ro directly – well, in a Silicon Valley way.

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:10 PM

I have already posted the Procedure & Rules for this Q & A session, so I assume you all know them and will follow them.

Ro Khanna 8:10 PM

We're thrilled to be a part of this. And Ro is here!

Liao - Standby Moderator 8:10 PM

[Clap]

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:11 PM

Welcome, Mr. Khanna!

Ro Khanna 8:10 PM

Hi, glad to join. Sorry I was 10 minutes late. I was coming from an event at the new Levi stadium. Hope we have a lot of 49ers fans online!

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:11 PM

No problem, we are glad that you can make it.

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:11 PM

Hello everyone!

We are honored and very pleased to have Mr. Ro Khanna here tonight at SVCA’s WeChat group. It is a terrific opportunity for all of us to have a chance of meeting Ro directly – well, in a Silicon Valley way.

Ro Khanna 8:11 PM

Excited to be part of this! Thank you for having me.

Ro Khanna 8:11 PM

It is my honor!!!

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:11 PM

Welcome to SVCA's WeChat group!

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:11 PM

I have already posted the Procedure & Rules for this Q & A session, so I assume you all know them and will follow them.

Ro Khanna 8:12 PM

Yes, we are familiar with all of the rules!

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:12 PM

While most if not all of you know who Ro is, here is his self-introduction:

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:12 PM

Ro is running for Congress in California’s 17th Congressional District, which encompasses the heart of Silicon Valley. All major newspapers in the Bay Area, including the San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, and Milpitas Post, have endorsed his candidacy. Ro is currently visiting Lecturer in the Department of Economics at Stanford University and an Adjunct Professor at Santa Clara Law School. Prior to returning home to the Bay Area, Ro served for two years in the Obama Administration, where he took a practical, hands-on approach to public service as the Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Commerce. During his tenure at Commerce, Ro broke new ground when he organized clean technology trade missions and supported the Green Embassy program, which allows American clean technology companies to showcase their products in U.S. embassies overseas. He was also named to the White House Business Council, where he partnered with businesses and labor groups across the country to pursue policies to promote America's economic growth. Ro’s book on manufacturing, Entrepreneurial Nation: Why Manufacturing is Still Key to America's Future, has won widespread praise for its strategies for keeping the best companies, jobs, and opportunities in America.

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:13 PM

Since Ro has a very tight schedule, we will go straight to questions.

Ro Khanna 8:13 PM

Let’s go!

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:13 PM

But before doing that, I want to add that, Ro got his JD from Yale Law School, which is the best of the best in the nation.

Ro Khanna 8:14 PM

That's very flattering. Thank you

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:14 PM

OK, here comes the first question.

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:14 PM

Q1. Do you mind telling us about your upbringing and current family situation?

Ro Khanna 8:15 PM

Certainly. My parents immigrated in the 1960s. My father is a chemical engineer and my mom a substitute school teacher. I went to public school and still am paying off my student loans. I am very close to my family and parents and admire them. My grandfather spent four years in jail fighting for India's independence. He inspired my interest in public service. I have a long time girlfriend --Ritu Ahuja, and hope to soon have a family of my own!

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:16 PM

Thank you, Ro. Maybe you can add an [End] at the end of your answer if you think it is complete?

Ro Khanna 8:16 PM

End.

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:16 PM

Thank you.

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:16 PM

Q2. Could you tell us when you decided to get a law degree?

Ro Khanna 8:18 PM

I was inspired to go into public service and pursue a legal degree after walking precincts for Barack Obama in his 1996 State Senate campaign in Chicago. I was a student at the University of Chicago at the time, studying economics. He inspired me to care about politics. After that I was really hooked, and applied to law school in my senior year. I always had an interest in public service, but my time at Chicago and experiences solidified that interest. I hope that more Asian Americans go to law school and enter politics, and I will work to help make that happen. End

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:18 PM

Thank you, Ro. Just a suggestion: Due to the features/limitations of WeChat, please try to type an answer into several shorter sentences and post each once it is typed (that is, not to post a long answer all at once). This way, we can avoid a long silence when you try to frame and type a proper answer.

Ro Khanna 8:19 PM

Great point. End

Ro Khanna 8:19 PM

How is that for brevity End

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:19 PM

Q3. Could you tell us when and why you decided to run for a public office?

Ro Khanna 8:20 PM

I decided to run when Fremont, where I lived, was drawn into a new Silicon Valley district

Ro Khanna 8:20 PM

I also was teaching in the district at Stanford and Santa Clara

Ro Khanna 8:20 PM

The district is phenomenal and the heart of Silicon Valley and the only Asian majority district in the continental United States.

Ro Khanna 8:20 PM

I felt like I could bring a new vision for economic growth and innovation to Congress representing this area

Ro Khanna 8:21 PM

I also wanted to promote a vision of partnership with China and India and having the U.S. integrate into the global economy instead of engaging in protectionism or xenophobia.

Ro Khanna 8:21 PM

I believe Silicon Valley and this district is the most consequential to represent in the world. End.

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:22 PM

Great answer. Thank you.

Kai Zhu - Moderator 8:22 PM

Q4. Could you please name the top three differences between you and Mr. Honda?

Ro Khanna 8:24 PM

1. I am for entrepreneurs, trade, simplifying regulations, low taxes on middle class families, and promoting economic growth. I teach economics at Stanford. Mike Honda is a nice person but has a very different economic vision. He is a traditional orthodox Democrat who has advocated higher taxes on the middle class and no plans to simplify regulations or help small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Ro Khanna 8:26 PM

2. I am a strong proponent of education reform. I have come out for teacher accountability, having teachers credentialed in math and science, and also getting rid of underperforming teachers. I also have clearly and unequivocally opposed SCA-5 early on, and made it clear that California UC's should give priority to California students. Mike Honda has orthodox views on education and has not talking about credentialing or accountability. While he did oppose SCA-5, he did so only after the bill was already dead, and his lifetime support of race based affirmative action will make him less likely to fight initiatives like SCA-5 strongly in the future.

Ro Khanna 8:28 PM

3. I have said I will take no junkets, no PAC money, no lobbyists, and believe in really down town halls and being accessible to the community. Mike Honda has taken over 52 special interest trips, has voted to raise his pay 10 times, and has missed over 465 votes. Again, he's a decent person. I am not questioning his character. But, I don't think he is up to the job, or effective, and he is emblematic of a culture of dysfunction and privilege in Washington.

Ro Khanna 8:28 PM

End