Although the Indian American community is large and wields considerable clout in Silicon Valley, it has not been particularly visible on the political front. That seems to be changing, and in a big way. PNS commentator Richard Springer is a staff reporter for San Leandro, CA.-based India West magazine.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Making a powerful statement, a small but influential group of Silicon Valley Indian American entrepreneurs and their wives donated about $600,000 to Vice President Al Gore and the Democratic Party on June 23.

Gore was the featured guest at a $50,000-per couple intimate dinner-fundraiser hosted by Hotmail founder Sabeer Bhatia. California Governor Gray Davis and former governor (now Oakland mayor) Jerry Brown also appeared at the event in Bhatia's condominium overlooking a stunning panorama of San Francisco Bay.

Bhatia, who sold his e-mail company to Microsoft for about $400 million a few years ago, said he hosted the dinner because he thinks it is important "for Indian Americans to make a dent politically."

"We have to send a message," he said. "We are a lot more powerful as a group than individually."

"This is the largest single Indian American fundraiser that has ever been held in the Indian American community," added Dinesh Sastry, a board member of Democratic Leadership 2000 and an organizer of the event. "It signifies that the era of Indian American political apathy is over."

Earlier that day Gore had released a 123-page transcript of his April 18 interview with prosecutors in which he denied knowledge of any illegal fundraising during his 1996 visit to a Buddhist temple in the Los Angeles area.

But despite headlines about the possible appointment of a special prosecutor and polls showing him trailing Republican candidate George W. Bush, the informally-attired vice president swept into the Bhatia residence like a conquering hero, shaking hands, making eye contact and acting like he was firmly in the lead.

Gore's step may have been lightened by the fact that he raised about $2 million for the day, including a luncheon with Silicon Valley executives and an early-evening gala in San Francisco featuring rock stars David Crosby and Stephen Stills.

Following the dinner, Gore faced several tough questions from the entrepreneurs. They pressed him about the need for better relations between India and the U.S., pointing out that sanctions are still in place against India because of its nuclear tests, but not for Pakistan despite aggressive moves, while China has been granted Most-Favored Nation status.

Gore sidestepped any criticism of China, emphasizing instead the need for a "deeper relationship" between India and the United States. If elected president, he said "I hope to visit India."

Discussing the growth of the Indian American entrepreneurial community, he said that besides enriching Silicon Valley and America's new economy, it has resulted in the "migration of powerful ideas back to India."

Gore said he favors increasing the number of H-1B visas -- those offered to professionals who wish to work in the United States -- as long as there are measures for programs to retrain American workers for similar jobs.

Asked bluntly about the possibility of India getting a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, Gore answered by saying it largely depends on India's future nuclear policies -- adding that he thinks the prospect for adding seats "will improve in the coming year."

Gore called the fundraiser a watershed event for the community and the "start of a dialogue."

Entrepreneurs at the dinner seem to like Gore's positions on technology and social issues. "I think he has done a great job," said Gaurav Dhillon, the CEO of Informatica. "He was one of the first to recognize the importance of the information superhighway. He's fiscally conservative and socially liberal."

"We identify with Gore," added Bhatia. "We have a lot of common goals."

Supporters of Gore and Davis were present, but some of the executives emphasized they mainly wanted to contribute to increase the profile of the Indian American community.

"We have had success in schools and in corporate America. There is in no more glass ceiling. Next is politics," said Vish Akella, who was CEO of Acclaim Communications when it became part of Intel and is now active with four startups. The question is: how do you influence America, and not just corporate America?"

Shailesh Mehta, CEO and chairman of Providian Bank and a Gray Davis appointee to the California State University Board of Trustees, said "It's not that we're against Bush," but it's that "we are organizing for the Indian American community."

Unlike corporate contributions that can't be released until a corresponding amount of hard money is raised, these contributions can be spent "dollar for dollar," said Sastry.

More fundraisers are in the planning stages. "We came in fairly early in the campaign at a time when the vice president was down in the polls," Sastry said. We not only made a powerful statement with the pocketbooks, but also a great political statement."