Dems in town to woo supporters
Originally published in the Dearborn Press & Guide
Dems in town to woo supporters
By Rachel Montgomery, Press & Guide Newspapers
DEARBORN — The Arab American community was the center of political attention Friday and Saturday as democratic presidential candidates vying for their party’s nomination tried to draw support for their campaigns.
While candidates spoke about their plans, if elected, to reshape America and their positions on foreign policy, the happenings in the Middle East and the Iraq post-war reconstruction efforts were the hotbeds of discussion.
Either via satellite or in person, the Democratic contenders who were scheduled to speak at the Arab American Institute’s leadership conference marked the first time presidential candidates from a major political party have addressed a national audience of Arab Americans, according to the organization.
AAI President James Zogby said that the turnout of so many of the candidates shows that the Arab American vote is important to them.
"We’re going to be part of the great policy debate that determines the future our country will take," Zogby said.
Sen. Joseph Lieberman was the first candidate to address the conference and sparked the strongest response among attendees.
Lieberman dealt with hecklers during his remarks about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict —that the only resolution is the realization of two separate states existing side by side. (See related story)
Some people thought that Lieberman was not critical enough of Israeli policy and began to shout when he said that the confiscation of Palestinian’s homes was not terrorism.
The next speaker, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who spoke via satellite from Washington D.C., was warmly received by conference goers.
Kucinich is the only candidate who voted against the Patriot Act that many feel has targeted the Arab American community. He was also in opposition to the Iraqi war.
Kucinich said he believed now more than before that America must pull out of Iraq and "reach out to the world community to see America as a cooperative partner."
Kucinich also said that the U.S. needs to go before the United Nations with a resolution so America can regain the U.N.’s confidence as a global partner.
His stance on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict brought applause. Kucinich called on the Israelis to stop building walls and settlements to help achieve peace.
"Security on one depends on the security of the other," Kucinich said.
In his speech he also outlined his plan to reduce the Pentagon’s budget by 15 percent and rebuild the roads, water and energy systems across the country, bringing millions of people back to work.
Kucinich also touched on his plans to create a universal healthcare system and his plans to draw legislation to cancel the Patriot Act.
Crowd reaction following Kucinich’s speech suggests that he has a strong supporter in the Arab-American community.
Fouad Ashkar from Dearborn Heights said that he felt Kucinich was very clear about the issues and gave him high marks for his speech.
Former Gen. Wesley Clark was scheduled to speak but was ill and under doctors’ orders not to attend.
Instead, former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Edward Gabriel read Clark’s speech.
In it, Clark said that Arab Americans embody the values that make the U.S. strong and that he wanted to build bridges with Arab Americans and Arabs across the world.
Clark called the Patriot Act one "sold as oppressive tactics" and said that the war in Iraq was a huge strategic mistake for the country but that it was mandatory to rebuild a stable Iraq with a democratic government.
He said that the Israeli/Palestinian conflict must be resolved — the Palestinians must stop the violence and the Israelis must be willing to seriously negotiate, calling the country the key U.S. ally in the region.
Veteran politician John Kerry was also broadcast from Washington and focused almost entirely on international affairs.
Kerry spoke about the country still living in the shadows of the Sept. 11 attacks and in depth about the contributions Arab Americans have made to society.
Kerry echoed many Democrats’ beliefs that Israel and Palestine have to exist as two separate states.
"There has to be two nations and extremists on both sides have to realize that," Kerry said.
Saad Ghalib of Ann Arbor came to the conference to hear what the candidates had to say and said he felt Kerry’s policies were real and balanced.
"He knows what he’s talking about, he speaks from knowledge … he has the right attitude and vision," Ghalib said.
Other speakers at the conference included former senator Carol Moseley Braun, former Vermont governor Howard Dean, Sen. John Edwards and Congressman Dick Gephardt.
Bush was invited to the conference but was overseas in Asia. His campaign chairman Marc Racicot attended and spoke on his behalf.
The AAI prepared voters guides that outline the political positions of the democratic candidates, but Zogby said the institute would not endorse any candidate in particular.
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Comments
Kucinich has been a friend to the Arab American community for years. It is a friendship based on mutual trust and respect. The other candidates are beginning to court the community for convenience and political favor - a bond that history has shown can be broken easily. Kucinich should be rewarded for his support through our votes and our contributions. If not now, when?
Posted by: Zeenat | October 23, 2003 09:15 AM