Posted on 04/20/2011 2:57:55 AM PDT by library user
While some GOP presidential contenders ratchet up their anti-Muslim rhetoric to toxic levels, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniel (R) is set to accept a prestigious award next month from the Arab American Institute.
Maya Berry, executive director of AAI, told TPM that the award was incidental to his status as a possible presidential candidate and celebrates his broad record of public service and his Syrian heritage, which is not commonly known. Nonetheless, she noted that Daniels' award comes at a time of increasingly mainstream anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiment in conservative circles.
"It's a moment to honor our own and Mitch Daniels goes back to the founding of the institute as one of our earliest supporters," she said. "We have a community that comes with some unfortunate political baggage in terms of bigots...it's just nice when folks are proud of their ethnic background and don't allow that kind of politics of exclusion to get in the way."
Berry noted Daniel's emphasis on fixing the economy and the group's website praises his call for a "truce" on social issues, a quote that has invited heated attacks from religious conservatives.
"I think he's been the adult in the room," Berry said.
A spokesman for AAI, Omar Tewfik, contrasted Daniels' relationship with the Arab-American community with other potential candidates in the 2012 primaries in a post on the group's website.
"Gov. Daniels piques our interest not only because he is Arab American (his grandparents are from Syria), he is a politician who - even in today's hyper-partisan political climate - has not digressed from his primary focus; fixing the economy," he wrote. "He has insisted that other issues not become a distraction and has not pandered to the anti-Muslim, anti-Arab sentiments expressed by many other potential GOP presidential candidates."
Asked about the GOP field, Tewfik told TPM that one area of particular importance to the group was the debate over Park 51 community center. AAI put out report cards grading public figures on their rhetoric on the issue and gave Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin their lowest rating, indicating "anti-Muslim sentiment in opposing the construction of the Muslim community center" and including "individuals who imply that those behind Park51 are pro-terrorist extremists."
Past winners of the Najeeby Halaby award, named after the former airline executive and father of Jordan's Queen Noor, include Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Congressman Nick Rahall. Daniels' paternal grandparents immigrated from Syria.
Well that settles it. It’s going to be hard to deny him the GOP nomination now. Certainly Karl Rove is going to clamor aboard this Bullet Train to the Nomination.
/s
???
Say good night, Mitch.
just more demonization of the Republican party
if you can demonize the other guy, you can disguise your own behavior - the dems have been doing this kinda stuff for 50 years. Difference is, we are used to calling the dems out on their BS, but everybody is so afraid of calling the Caliphatists out, so they just rattle on.
I was not aware of Daniel's ancestry before now and have only heard him compared with Calvin Coolidge in terms of fiscal outlook and native charisma (Reagan's favorite president and not a bad model to follow). If he decides to run in the primaries I intend to keep an open mind since my so far limited impression is he has a solid reputation as a governor and a (fiscal) conservative.
Calling for a "truce" on social issues while we focus on economics may be an unfortunate way to put it and that statement has obviously raised some ire among segments of the Conservative community, but for those of us old enough to remember it was pretty much how Reagan also handled things.
Pawlenty allowed a Sharia bank and was for Cap and Trade.
Seems some of our wannabe’s have clay feet.
There was always something about Daniels that creeped me out.
We have Cain, Palin, Bachmann, and others with strong character still in the wings.
Don’t worry about it. Apparantly the GOP electorate is ready to nominate Donald Trump, who of course is Christian. Isn’t that a relief?
I think also too, the majority of Arab Americans are still Christians, if my memory is correct.
Knew it wouldn’t be long for you to come along to defend Daniels. Daniels = RINO. IMO, we need a non-RINO like Palin.
Where did I defend Daniels? He’s got no shot.
Strike Three for Mitch Daniels.
*There* is the issue in your first line. I have no problem with Arabs. Muslims are another story altogether. Islam is a totalitarian political system bearded by its religious status, completely at odds with Western ideas of individual freedom and representative government.
With the renewed oppression of the Christian communities in Egypt, Iraq, and elsewhere the numbers of newly arrived Assyrians, Maronites, and Copts will rise. The ones I've known are no fans of Israel or Jews but they have a visceral hatred and fear of their Muslim brethren. They know that the pattern is all "happy face" and "Ya Habibi!" (O', my love) while the Christians retain some strength in numbers but that mask can disappear very quickly when the opportunity to cut throats and cleanse the Dar As Salaam comes.
Driving home this morning there were multiple soundbytes on the radio from Obama advisors saying that Daniels would be the “toughest challenger” to Obama and Trump the “weakest”. So the effort to nominate Daniels as the next McCain seems to have begun.
But very big difference here in America, unlike in other countries,Americans have guns and any trouble coming from any jihadi would end very, very quickly.
On the Christian Arabs, had gotten an opportunity a few months back to talk to a young man selling olive wood at my parish church from the Holy Land and heard how the Christian Arabs are treated by the Arab Muslims. Even in sports, they are only given two opportunites to score, such as in soccer, while the Muslims, three.
The most bombastic Muslim critic here is sweetness and light compared to what the Muslims do to us.
I know. I want the next president to be a REAL AMERICAN, not a racist closet Muslim socialist. Christian would be nice, but not necessary. Basically, if the Muslims think he is great, he probably should NOT be elected.
Great. An award from a collective with an agenda. Go Mitch. /sarcasm
My line: Daniels>Trump>>>>>anyone else>>>>>HUCKABEE!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.