Muslims, Arabs Say Key Bush Vote May Swing Other Way: Many Muslims, Arabs undecided

The Chicago Tribune ^ | January 18, 2004 | Deborah Horan

[quidnunc]

Four years ago, George W. Bush seemed a dream candidate to Shafic Budron. The Texas governor was a socially conservative, pro-business oilman whose campaign promises hinted he would fight racial profiling and laws that allowed prosecutors to use secret evidence in terrorism cases.

Today, Budron has few good things to say about Bush's performance as president. Yet the Burr Ridge man suggests Bush still has a shot — if a slim one — at persuading him to support the Republican ticket in the next election.

"I have not made up my mind," said Budron, a Lebanese-born real estate developer. "We are still some time from the 11th hour. Things could change."

Across Chicago, many Muslim-American voters like Budron say they remain undecided about the presidential race, even as they blast the Bush administration for what they say has been a dismal record on civil liberties and a lackluster push for Middle East peace. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, they say, measures such as the Patriot Act and special registration have trampled on their freedoms.

-snip-

[quidnunc]

Question: How does this square with the assertions by CAIR and other TROP™ spokesmen that the overwhelming majority of Muslims are peaceable souls who are dead-set against terrorism?

[FastCoyote]

Oh Great. Where can I sign up for "Jihadists for Dean", or "Suicide Bombers for Kerry" or the umbrella "American Muslims For Killing The Infidel Christians". The Democrats need all the friends they can get.

[reed_inthe_wind]

"We are still some time from the 11th hour. Things could change."

Muslim Americans are better off by far, when Islamic terrorists are contained. (I am not making a threat in any way) Things could change for the worse for Muslims if people break from the rule of law and take matters into their own hands, or turn to a demagogue who riles up domestic hatred for Muslim Americans.

[claptrap]

Remember Bush on the stage with that d**n Imam whatever his name was, saying over and over Islam is a religion of peace
Muslims shouldnt be able to vote they should be deported as enemy actors just like we deported thousands of nazis
during WWII. Unfortunately our boy Bush just wants to enrich his Oil buddies he really doesnt give a rip about the idiot Iraq population. Dont listen to what they say watch what they do. Look at the recent energy bill Bush boy signed, protection for oil companies from MTBE lawsuits,
who really benefits not the taxpayer, there are leaking fuel tanks all over the US and the oil companies arent responsible after this legislation was passed we the taxpayers are going to pay to clean up the MTBE fiasco
Bush is a cleaned up version of Clinton big money controls whoever is in office!

[Democratshavenobrains]

Its the American people, not Bush, who are suspicious of Muslims, but of course Republicans get all the blame for it.

[Rome2000]

This article is preposterous.

[Rome2000]

Clinton and the Democrats are the ones who did nothing after the World Trade Center was bombed in 1993.

Clinton and the Democrats are the ones who did nothing after the Khobar Towers were bombed.

Clinton and the Democrats are the ones who did nothing when Iraq kicked out the UN inspectors.

Clinton and the Democrats are the ones who did nothing when Iraqi anti-aircraft batteries repeatedly painted American fighter jets.

Clinton and the Democrats are the ones who refused Sudans offer of OBL on a silver platter.

Clinton and the Democrats are the ones who pardoned the FALN terrorists.

Clinton and the Democrats are the ones who did nothing when the USS Cole was bombed.

Small wonder RAGHEADS and Democrats have a problem with George W. Bush and the Republicans willingness to defend our country.

[ccmay]

protection for oil companies from MTBE lawsuits

They should be protected, as it was the EPA that forced the oil companies to include MTBE in their products.

Don't let your spluttering populist outrage blind you to facts and justice. Exxon has as much right not to be punished for complying with the law as you or I do.

-ccm

[swarthyguy]

MORAL OF story.

Despite Bush's obsequiousnesness and pandering to the worst of the jihadi elements in Muslim American society, they still hate him.

Stop pandering to jihadis, Mr. Bush, and get with the Shias, Sufis, Apostates, heretics and secularists.

AAH, but what about Bandar Bush?

[jmaroneps37]

The Arabs voted rat in 2000, like the Jews, they will vote rat again. We will win without Michigan if need be. The rats and the Arabs are a predfect match.