Indian Venture Capitalist donates to 3 Presidential candidates
By Bala Shah

Pune born and IIT educated Vinod Khosla is one of the most successful Indian tech professionals in the world.  Multi-billionaire Vinod co-founded Sun Microsystems before becoming an extremely successful and respected Venture Capitalist.  More recently, Vinod has turned his attention to green issues and charity.  After supporting a number of political candidates in USA, Vinod has now thrown his weight behind Democratic Senator Barack Obama in his bid to become the President.

Apart from his billions of dollars, Vinod Khosla brings credibility and an invaluable network of contacts in the successful Indian community in USA.  According to US Government records, Vinod Khosla has given the Democratic Party $63,800 since 1986.  Rival Republican Party received $19,400 during the same period.

What is interesting is how Vinod Khosla gave equal support to the 3 leading Presidential candidates in their recent race to win nomination.  Senators Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain each received $2,300 in 2008.

In 2008, Vinod donated $4,300 to powerful Democratic Senator Joe Biden.  Fellow Democrat Senator Tom Allen received $2,300.  Rival Republican Ted Stevens received $1,000.

This year, he also donated heavily to Democratic politicians in the House of Representatives.  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Jerry McNerney were given $4,600 each.  Joe Courtney $2,100.

While mainly supporting the Democratic Party, he has donated some money to the Republicans as well.  He donated $1,000 for the campaign of President Bush. 

What is more interesting is that he only gave to the Republican Party between 1986 to 2000, even if they were only small amounts.

Recently, Vinod Khosla joined the India Policy team of US Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama.   On the advice of the Indians in his team, Senator Obama is reaching out to the Indian community in USA by paying rich tributes to respected Indian soldier and inspiring leader Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw who masterminded India’s stunning military success in the Indo-Pak war of 1971.  In his website barackobama.com, he writes: “I offer my deep condolences to the people of India on the passing of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw”.  Politics makes politicians say nice things about a country they have never traveled to, and a brave soldier they have never met.

What is clear is that Vinod Khosla is more interested in people and policies rather than political parties and ideologies.  In March, 2008, Vinod Khosla and his wife donated $500,000 to Wikipedia.   Wikipedia is one of the top 10 knowledge websites of the world.  Many feel its ability to inspire a volunteer workforce is one of the greatest achievements in modern history.

Wikipedia got more than all the political parties in USA put together.  Vinod and his wife have donated hundreds of thousands to charity and  other social causes as well. That tells you where his heart really is.