quietcorner
02-01-2008, 02:14 PM
This is as close to an endorsement as they can make.
Thanks to all who called & emailed them to ensure Dr. Paul was included! Dr. Paul even got the first mention in the entire article and it places him in a very favorable light. They also used a picture from the debate of him responding to a question with the others listening.
Last week, MPAC looked at the politics at play in the Democratic primary that are largely off the voters' radar. This week, we examine the Republican primary and the issues shaping this heated race.
For Americans who have been closely following the Republican campaign from early on, no one candidate stood out from the others or held promise for winning the presidency. This differs from presidential elections in prior years, such as in 1980 with Ronald Reagan and 1988 with George H. W. Bush in which they emerged as potential nominees for the Republican ticket much sooner in the campaign process than this round.
Muslims and other Americans who have been the subject of racial profiling and hate crimes since 9-11 are paying attention to the candidates' stand on what they think the government's role should be in protecting national security, oftentimes at the expense of civil liberties.
These two issues have challenged Republicans, with each candidate laying out their credentials and experiences to prove "strong stances" on both. To date, only Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) has been an outspoken critic of increased government invasion of privacy and the warrantless wiretapping program. In 2005, Paul voted against the Real ID Act, calling it and other surveillance measures a real threat to Americans' liberty. The congressman serves an important role in the presidential race for giving voice to these critical issues that will most certainly continue to affect domestic and international policy. Paul's message of a restrained and responsible government resonates with Muslims and other Americans who have been the subject of disproportionate discrimination.
Likewise, campaign advisors who have lined up to staff the Republican race merit a good look, especially on the issues of national security, civil liberties, and worries about illegal immigration. James Pinkerton, Fox News contributor and a columnist for Newsday, is senior advisor for the Huckabee campaign. Pinkerton is known to have warned of "Muslimization," concluding that "to keep the peace, we must separate our civilizations." Similarly, Cofer Black serves as senior advisor for counterterrorism policy for former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. In 2005, Black became vice chairman of Blackwater USA, a U.S.-based private security firm whose license was revoked by the Iraqi government in 2007 after the company was involved with the deaths of at least 10 Iraqi civilians. The suspect histories of advisors to a potential U.S. president leaves Americans wondering how tough is too tough when the erosion of civil liberties has led voters to feel hesitant about everything coming from Washington.
Senator John McCain (AZ) is emerging as the frontrunner with three important primary state wins to his name, including the delegate-rich state of Florida. This comes, however, to the disgruntlement of many in the Republican Party. Among their grievances are McCain's work in addressing global warming and reforming campaign financing with Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI). Ryan Sager of the New York Post said that McCain was "written off by the pundits," citing a disconnect between the senator's position and his reputation.
McCain is not the conservative Republican like his counterparts, who have advocated for social restraint. His recent endorsement by the New York Times - a traditionally liberal publication - ruffled feathers in the GOP, and McCain's detractors begrudge him his experience as a POW and his "maverick" persona. With the Republican Party split amongst itself about him and his stand on issues, there is concern over McCain's ability to mobilize a base for the general election.
There has never been a Republican senator who has succeeded to the presidency in the last 50 years. The current president was governor of Texas, and before him, George H.W. Bush was Vice President, Reagan was governor of California, and Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon held the Vice Presidency. If McCain wins the Republican nomination and continues on to win the presidency in November, it will be history in the making.
Source: Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), Feb 1, 2008: http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=599
Thanks to all who called & emailed them to ensure Dr. Paul was included! Dr. Paul even got the first mention in the entire article and it places him in a very favorable light. They also used a picture from the debate of him responding to a question with the others listening.
Last week, MPAC looked at the politics at play in the Democratic primary that are largely off the voters' radar. This week, we examine the Republican primary and the issues shaping this heated race.
For Americans who have been closely following the Republican campaign from early on, no one candidate stood out from the others or held promise for winning the presidency. This differs from presidential elections in prior years, such as in 1980 with Ronald Reagan and 1988 with George H. W. Bush in which they emerged as potential nominees for the Republican ticket much sooner in the campaign process than this round.
Muslims and other Americans who have been the subject of racial profiling and hate crimes since 9-11 are paying attention to the candidates' stand on what they think the government's role should be in protecting national security, oftentimes at the expense of civil liberties.
These two issues have challenged Republicans, with each candidate laying out their credentials and experiences to prove "strong stances" on both. To date, only Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) has been an outspoken critic of increased government invasion of privacy and the warrantless wiretapping program. In 2005, Paul voted against the Real ID Act, calling it and other surveillance measures a real threat to Americans' liberty. The congressman serves an important role in the presidential race for giving voice to these critical issues that will most certainly continue to affect domestic and international policy. Paul's message of a restrained and responsible government resonates with Muslims and other Americans who have been the subject of disproportionate discrimination.
Likewise, campaign advisors who have lined up to staff the Republican race merit a good look, especially on the issues of national security, civil liberties, and worries about illegal immigration. James Pinkerton, Fox News contributor and a columnist for Newsday, is senior advisor for the Huckabee campaign. Pinkerton is known to have warned of "Muslimization," concluding that "to keep the peace, we must separate our civilizations." Similarly, Cofer Black serves as senior advisor for counterterrorism policy for former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. In 2005, Black became vice chairman of Blackwater USA, a U.S.-based private security firm whose license was revoked by the Iraqi government in 2007 after the company was involved with the deaths of at least 10 Iraqi civilians. The suspect histories of advisors to a potential U.S. president leaves Americans wondering how tough is too tough when the erosion of civil liberties has led voters to feel hesitant about everything coming from Washington.
Senator John McCain (AZ) is emerging as the frontrunner with three important primary state wins to his name, including the delegate-rich state of Florida. This comes, however, to the disgruntlement of many in the Republican Party. Among their grievances are McCain's work in addressing global warming and reforming campaign financing with Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI). Ryan Sager of the New York Post said that McCain was "written off by the pundits," citing a disconnect between the senator's position and his reputation.
McCain is not the conservative Republican like his counterparts, who have advocated for social restraint. His recent endorsement by the New York Times - a traditionally liberal publication - ruffled feathers in the GOP, and McCain's detractors begrudge him his experience as a POW and his "maverick" persona. With the Republican Party split amongst itself about him and his stand on issues, there is concern over McCain's ability to mobilize a base for the general election.
There has never been a Republican senator who has succeeded to the presidency in the last 50 years. The current president was governor of Texas, and before him, George H.W. Bush was Vice President, Reagan was governor of California, and Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon held the Vice Presidency. If McCain wins the Republican nomination and continues on to win the presidency in November, it will be history in the making.
Source: Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), Feb 1, 2008: http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=599