Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) becomes the first Hindu, and the first female combat vet, elected to Congress

[anneboleyn]

Tulsi is not of Indian heritage; her family converted to Hinduism. She also served in the Iraq war.

I am excited by her election to Congress -- diversity of religion (my husband studies Hinduism), and she is the first female combat veteran elected to Congress.

From the Times of India:

WASHINGTON: Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday created history by becoming the first Hindu-American to have entered the US House of Representatives, winning her Hawaii seat by trouncing her Republican rival in a one-sided contest.

An Iraq war veteran, 31-year-old Gabbard defeated K Crowley of the Republican Party with a handsome margin. Her victory has been cheered by the Hindu-American community across the country.

She is also the first female combat [veteran] to serve in the Congress

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/us-canada-news/Hindu-American-elected-to-US-Congress-for-the-first-time/articleshow/17137684.cms

[ButterflyBlood]

1. She's also a knockout. Going to be the best looking member of the House by far

[anneboleyn]

3. She is beautiful -- my husband noticed right away! She will definitely bring class to the House!

[Cha]

16. She's my Congresswoman.. and

my son and a friend also said that about Tulsi before they voted for her. lol 'Course I agree!

She's taking Mazie Hirono's seat who went on to become the first U.S. Senator who is a Buddhist.

[tarheelsunc]

2. Her story seems amazing, she's done so much at such a young age

and yet, it seems her best days are definitely ahead of her. The sky is really the limit for her!

[sbmvv]

4. Great news

It is a tribute to the diversity of the United States of America and to the broader ideological appeal of the Democratic Party. As a Hindu myself I am thrilled.

However, whether she was a Hindu or not, she was a great candidate on her own achievements. However, the fact that she could be elected openly professing her faith is a wonderful endorsement for the grand coalition assembled by the Democratic Party. Long may it last.

Bobby Jindal and Nikki Hayley have done well with the Republicans but would they have even been considered had they not converted from Hinduism and Sikhism respectively ?

I doubt it. The Republican party has become a rabid neo-fascist clique that espouses a form of radical bigoted Christianity that bears no resemblance to the teachings of Christ and rejects all other faiths.

Watch out for California's 7th Congressional District. Dr. Ami Bera (who is a Hindu/ Unitarian Universalist) is 184 votes ahead of his rival but the provisional ballots are yet to be counted. One can hope for another step forward for the Democratic Party.

[LynneSin]

7. It says alot more about the voters from the state! Hawaii has good people!

btw welcome to DU

[sbmvv]

8. Thanks

Though I am not an American, this election affects the whole Western Hemisphere, including my native Trinidad.

The Democrats at least try to understand other people.

[Cha]

17. Omgoodness, Ami Bera is still waiting

to win!? Sorry, I thought I read she had won.. that's close!

Good points about Bobby Jindal and Nikki Hayley.. And, "Conservative Christian" is an OXYMORON!

Welcome to DU, sbmvv

[WaimeaWidow]

5. AND ...

Hawaii also elected the first woman of Asian descent to the Senate - Mazie Hirono!!! I love my state!

[sbmvv]

10. and..

The first Buddhist.

Once again - the grand coalition - everyone regardless of race or religion or socio-economic background can find a home in the Democratic party.

Not so for the opposition

[LynneSin]

6. She's not the only female combat veteran elected. Tammy Duckworth also won

Duckworth was a helipcopter pilot who lost 3 limbs in the war. First time I met her she was in a wheelchair but at the convention she walked to the podium.

[GoCubsGo]

9. Both are Democrats.

That says something right there. I'm willing to bet that most of the male Iraq/Afghanistan war vets in Congress are also Dems. If anyone has the actual numbers, I'd love to see them.

Tammy is awesome. Her district represents the town where I grew up. I would love to have her as my representative now.

[Kooljas]

12. Tulsi is no Democrat.

She's corrupt and she knows that a Republican will get now where in Hawaii politics.

[Cha]

18. Yeah, I was thinking of Tammy Duckworth when I read

that part.. thanks for reminding, Lynne.

[Radha]

11. More to the story

Tulsi Gabbard is not just an ordinary Hindu, nor is her father an ordinary Catholic, they have both been part of the Science of Identity Foundation led by Jagad Guru Chris Butler. Tulsi was raised in the bhakti-yoga community surrounding Jagad Guru Chris Butler, whose group has been a fixture in Hawaiian yoga circles since the late '60s. Tulsi's father Mike Gabbard was a top leader in the group (called a cult by it's critics) and well known in Hawaii in Hindu circles there, her mother Carol, another conservative politician in Hawaii is the secretary and treasurer of the organization.

When Mike started to run for office 10 years ago he claimed to be Catholic. When Honolulu newspapers ran stories about his close involvement with a Hindu (Hare Krishna offshoot) guru and organization, Mike Gabbard said:

I am Catholic, but some would consider me an enigmatic Catholic,” Gabbard reasons, “because I practice and sometimes teach both Christian and yoga meditation techniques and philosophy. … Although I am not a Hindu or Hare Krishna, I find great inspiration and wisdom in the ancient yoga scriptures. Although I’m not a member of the Science of Identity Foundation, I’m eternally thankful to Chris Butler, the founder of SIF, whose teachings of karma yoga (selfless service) and bhakti yoga (devotion to God) have brought me back to my Catholic roots and the fundamental teachings of Christ.”

Chris Butler is or was a virulent homophobe, well known for his anti-gay diatribes, which he learned from his own guru (the founder of ISKCON). Mike Gabbard, his disciple and right hand man, became the face of "traditional marriage" activism in Hawaii in the late '90s, campaigning to keep Hawaii law against gay marriage. There's a lot of animosity in the LGBT community to Mike Gabbard, recently he was "assaulted" by an elderly gay man, years ago he had to give up formal ownership in the natural food restaurant inside the main natural food store in Honolulu (run by the sect) when LGBT activists picketed the store daily for a while. For the full story so far ignored by the national media on the Gabbard saga, see Ms. Tulsi Goes to Washington on the "Hare Krishna Women" blog.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

13. This article scared me. Thanks for sharing.

[Cha]

19. I know.. Tulsi's had an interesting evolution from her

roots. Her dad's idealogy lost and her's won.

I read she starting evolving from going to different countries in the National Guard.

[Kooljas]

29. Tulsi is a fraud.

Read about what she's writeen about gay marriage. She is an opportunist just like her father and she is no Democrat.

[dbackjon]

21. So she is a gay hating bigot like her dad?

[NewJeffCT]

14. Wasn't there a thread on here last week about appointing her to the Senate?

which would be an interesting move - she'd probably be the youngest Senator, and likely mentioned as a potential VP pick down the road...

[Cha]

20. That was Caroline Hanabusa they were

talking about, who is also a Congresswoman from Hawai'i, whom Daniel Inouye had endorsed to take his place.

[NewJeffCT]

23. here is the article

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/could-new-young-potential-super-star-hawaiian-congresswomen-elect-get-appointed

[Cha]

25. Ah, thank you, NewJeffCT..

I read this morning she wasn't on the 3 finalists' list. But, I had never even seen any articles of her being considered. Sorry

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251268069

[Brother Buzz]

22. Only in her dreams

Smart money says Hanabusa will be tapped.

[NewJeffCT]

24. true, but

there was an article last week

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/could-new-young-potential-super-star-hawaiian-congresswomen-elect-get-appointed

[Brother Buzz]

26. Former Congressman Ed Case and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz are in the hunt, too

Just read the definitive article on the dynamics of the choice that made the compelling argument why Hanabusa ultimately had the leg up; a seamless transition.

True to form, I promptly lost the article so I won't share it with you.

Bottom line: The choice will be made, the seat stays a very nice shade of Pacific blue, followed by an interesting Special election for the a vacated house seat if Case and Schatz are passed over.

[NewJeffCT]

27. Thanks

I figured Tulsi was a long-shot anyhow, since Hanabusa was essentially handpicked by the respected Inouye.

[Brother Buzz]

28. It's Brian Schatz! Breaking: Governor Abercrombie just picked the Lt Governor

http://governor.hawaii.gov/photos-video/live-streams/

[Yavin4]

15. Some very important advice for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

If you find yourself standing near Speaker John Boehner and he is speaking, do not light a match.

[Doctor_J]

30. What about Duckworth?

Unless you meant the first Hindu female combat vet.