Posted on 09/06/2004 6:49:16 AM PDT by Dubya
ROSEMONT, Ill. - As Democrats and Republicans sought their support, American Muslim leaders wrapped up their community's largest convention Sunday, still debating whether to endorse a presidential candidate.
And despite bitter feelings over how President Bush has conducted the war on terrorism, Muslim leaders said an endorsement for the Demcratic challenger, Sen. John Kerry, is not guaranteed.
Independent Ralph Nader traveled here Saturday and made an aggressive pitch for support in a private meeting.
"We are still deliberating amongst ourselves," said Salam al-Marayati, head of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, a public policy group based in Los Angeles. A decision is expected next month from the American Muslim Taskforce, an umbrella group for major Muslim organizations.
American Muslims hold special importance this election year because they have strong communities in battleground states such as Michigan, Ohio and Florida.
In 2000, leaders of major Muslim organizations made their first endorsement in a presidential race, choosing Bush over Democrat Al Gore. Bush had indicated that he was sympathetic to their concerns about using secret evidence in immigration hearings.
After Sept. 11, 2001, Bush enacted anti-terrorism policies that many Muslims felt violated their constitutional rights.
Some Muslim leaders say the Kerry campaign has missed opportunities to capitalize on Muslim resentment of the president.
At the convention this weekend, organized by the nonpartisan Islamic Society of North America, several speakers said Kerry has been too timid on civil rights issues. They said his pledge to repeal parts of the USA Patriot Act, which gave the government broad new powers to monitor citizens, did not go far enough.
The Bush administration has defended the Patriot Act as crucial to national security.
"I haven't seen John Kerry delivering on his early promises," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, an anti-defamation group based in Washington. ONLINE: American Muslim Taskforce, www.americanmuslimvoter.net Islamic Society of North America, www.isna.net Council on American-Islamic Relations, www.cair-net.org
Bukhari:V9B84N59 “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘I have been ordered to fight the people till they say: “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.” Whoever says this will save his property and his life from me.’”
http://www.prophetofdoom.net/
2004 is my last vote for the R.
Excuse me. Can I ask what you mean by this? :)
I hope the Muslims do stay home. They are not going to vote for Bush. You have said it well.
Don't worry! I am NOT abandoning President Bush in 2004!
Any shift away from the R party by conservative Christians in years to come can only help the party. It will wither adapt to the right, and maintain conservative moral priniples, [and it's base] or it will lose voters to third parties [Constitution Party, etc], and thereby begin to lose more races to the Rats in 2006 and 2008..
Personally, I think it will choose to survive. ;)
Very good points, thanks.
Your Point is well taken.I know that Pres Bush is trying to butter both sides of the bread. There is no candidate Conservative enough for me. Pres Bush is still my choice.As a Vietnam Vet I would never in 1000 years vote for John Kerry.
If they endorse Kerry, it may actually help Bush and hurt Kerry. Imagine what the Jewish voters will think when they hear about this.
I wish they would endorse Kerry. You are right.
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