Ethnic Politics Lurk in Sununu-Smith Race

FoxNews ^ | Tuesday, August 20, 2002

[Michael2001]

WASHINGTON

[Michael2001]

Am I correct in assuming that Sununu is a Christian? If so he probably has a better understanding of Islamic terrorism than the majority of us.

[kregger]

Yes, and I believe he's a Palestinian Christian only on his father's side--I think his mother is a non-Arab Christian.So he's not even 100% Palestinian, and certainly not a Muslim.

[thucydides]

I had always heard in NH that the Sununus were Lebanese. Could this "Palestinian" bit be an attempt to influence Jewish voters (the few that might be Republicans)?

[bybybill]

This just stinks. Sununu is an American, period. His family left Lebanon to be come Americans.

[Gurn]

I'm almost positive it's Lebanese. I'd chalk the "Palestinian" miscue up to a simple mistake, particularly since the source of this article is Fox News.

[thucydides]

Of course you are right. I wasn't saying that it mattered what their background was, just questioning how it suddenly became "Palestinian." After all, back when they came to this country, the term Palestine wasn't in use. That said, I once had some dealings with the father, and can tell you that he was rude and obscene beyond belief, and acted this way even towards women when he was Governor. He entered the Mensa society and put a copy of the certificate on the wall of his office in a pathetic attempt to try to impress people. His temper and vengefulness were well known to all who dealt with him, and finally resulted in someone at the White House shooting him down with press leaks about his use of official limos on personal business. This was after he tried to control who could ride the helicopter to Camp David. After my run-in with him in his office, I felt that I had escaped some sort of Middle East hostage situation. Of course, that has nothing to do with the son, who by all reports is a fine fellow.

[crystalk]

If my [admittedly old] info is correct, the present Mr Sununu had a grandfather, also called Sununu, who immigrated to the United States in the post- WWII era. This man was definitely a Christian, and gave his nationality as Lebanese when he entered the USA.

It appears his family did have some Palestinian connections however.

On the other hand, it would appear that the mother of the present candidate was/is a white Christian [RC] American woman from New England, not of Middle Eastern descent.

The grandmother of the present candidate is also shown as a white Christian [RC] American, not as having come with her husband from the Middle East, or having come here to marry him. In fact, it is not even said that SHE was of Mideast extraction, though she may well have been.

[Michael2001]

Thanks for posting. If he is a Christian then it isn't even an issue.

[GreenDestiny]

"You were a deciding vote, John, to give amnesty to illegal aliens. I know you have a reason for that, which I hope to hear," Smith said at the debate.

All Freepers in favor of amnesty for illegal aliens post here.