Muslims seek a role in 2004 election

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http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040308-102722-4205r.htm

<WASHINGTON, March 8 (UPI) -- Muslim political groups in the United States have launched an ambitious campaign to register 85 percent of an estimated 2.7 million to 3 million Muslims they believe are eligible to vote in the coming presidential election.>



<Some Muslim organizations estimate that there are already 1.8 million registered Muslim voters in the United States, and they predict that their number will increase significantly as a new generation of young Muslim Americans comes of voting age.>

<"There are 7 million Muslims in the United States, and they will play an increasingly effective role in electoral politics," says Agha Saeed, who chairs the San Francisco-based American Muslim Alliance. >

<Abdullah agrees but says that the Muslims can be effective only if they register and vote. "Our goal is to register 85 percent of all eligible Muslim voters and then encourage 70 percent of them to exercise their right to vote," says Abdullah, a Muslim leader of Indian origin who learned parliamentary politics in his native India.>

[MAlibdem]

1. But who will they vote for

They would be traditionally Republican, because most are "pro-family family values" religious conservatives. But with Bush locking up their relatives and friends and invading Iraq, I dunno. A Cuba effect on the invasion? or a backlash on detentions?

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4. Democrats--by a wide margin

I suspect they will vote Democratic at about the same rate American Jews do in 2004. The question is whether they will remain Democrats like Jews have or will they return to the GOP in 2008. If they are voting based on anger over the war in Iraq and Bush's failure in the I/P conflict, they likely will vote Republican in 2008 since Kerry will at least be as pro-Israel as Bush, and likely even more supportive of Likud than W. If they are voting Democratic because they feel they are under threat in America and recognize that the Democratic Party is the party of tolerance and civil rights, they will become a regular Democratic group for at least generation.

They traditionally are Republican in large part due to social views but also for class reasons. They are generally upper-class and hence vote Republican like their Christian counterparts.

[bobbieinok]

2. how soon will right wing callers start complaining about Muslims voting?

I've heard many in OK contend that every Muslim in US, UK, Australia is a terrorist just waiting for the right time to act

[redsoxliberal]

5. Ouch

did ya set him straight?

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7. The reich-wing is past that stage

Some conservative columnists, notably Cal Thomas and Daniel Pipes, have already voiced "concern" about Muslims voting. If the 2004 election is close and Muslims are the swing vote in favor of the Democrats, there will be a major right-wing backlash against them and perceived Muslims.

[Aidoneus]

3. I don't see what place they'd have in this

the two parties compete over who will kill the most of them and with the most efficiency in chosing the location. Decisions, decisions!

[_Jumper_]

6. Their self-interest

There is clearly one party that is better for American Muslims. On foreign policy the Democrats are marginally better, but at the end of the day I believe most US Muslims will vote based on their self-interest.

[eissa]

8. Oh, that is sooooo right!

A few months back a Kerry supporter and I engaged in a debate re: which candidate was better on the I/P issue. I simply said there can be no difference, and I really don't care what they say now because in the end it MUST remain as it is. When * first took office, I yelled at a Muslim colleague who had voted for him that it was just a matter of time before a Muslim country was bombed (oh how I love tormenting him with the fact that it's been TWO countries!) We may not bomb as much or as often, but our ME policies are only slightly better.

Regarding their role in Nov., again I cite the Muslim colleague, whose friends did a major get-out-the-vote effort in Florida for *. They were a substantial number and from what I have been told, every one of them will be voting for the democrat in November.

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9. The I/P issue is off the table since Dean lost

Many people fear that Muslims won't vote Democratic because of the Democratic stance on Israel but the Republican stance is identical so the issue if off the table. Kerry is probably going to be more pro-Likud than Bush.

[mobuto]

10. Likud is irrelevant

All things being equal, I think Kerry would prefer a government led by Labor or Shinui. But its hardly our place to pick sides in a democratic election. So no, Kerry is pro-Israel regardless of which political party has won the most recent election. As he should be.

[_Jumper_]

11. Maybe

But he likely will be more unbalanced than Bush II.

Why shouldn't Kerry be even-handed, like Dean said we should? How can we achieve peace there if we act as poodles for one side?