– Islam Wins Big...in America

Arab Americans play pivotal role (in US elections)
By: Compiled reports

WASHINGTON - Arab American Democrats played a pivotal role in senate and house races across the country - organizing voter rallies, candidates' nights, sophisticated get- out-the-vote phone banks and door-to-door canvases that helped deliver victory in these key races.

In Virginia, Senator-elect Jim Webb's campaign was buoyed by Arab American Democrats, who placed more than 30,000 phone calls encouraging the Arab American community to get out to the polls in support of Webb.

"Arab American Democrat" signs were visible throughout the room at Webb's Victory Party. One volunteer on the ground reported, "As soon as Webb glanced at our signs, he said, 'I will make sure that our party will be an all inclusive party.' Just this phrase is a great gift for the efforts that we have all been generous in giving ... we have already proven our collective political influence on his campaign."

Webb campaigned directly for the Arab American vote, attending the Arab American Institute's Virginia Candidates' Night, where he answered questions from the community about Palestine, the war in Iraq and civil liberties.

Webb's victory swung control of the U.S. senate over to Democrats.

In New Jersey, the Arab-American Democratic Caucus (AADC) endorsed Senator Robert Menendez, citing his responses to an Arab American Institute's questionnaire about his stance on trade with Arab nations, engaging the Arab American community in the political process, habeas corpus and other issues of deep concern to the state's Arab American voters.

During the last week of the campaign, AADC members placed 55,000 phone calls for Menendez, and went tirelessly door-to-door to help energize voters for him.

In Pennsylvania, Arab American Democrats aided five congressional candidates and U.S. senate candidate Bob Casey, Jr. through direct mail and thousands and thousands of targeted phone calls. Additionally, individual groups of Arab American voters, many getting involved politically for the first time, organized fundraisers in their home for local candidates running for congress.

"The political organization of Arab American Democrats and Republicans helped engage record numbers of Arab Americans in the civic process and raised the visibility and importance of this emerging swing vote," said Dr. James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute (AAI). "Candidates in these races spoke to the issues on the minds of the Arab American community, and those issues mobilized this pivotal base to the polls. We hope that in 2008, even more candidates on both sides of the aisle look to engage Arab Americans voters."

With 56 percent of the vote, Minnesota's Keith Ellison (D-5) made history as the first Muslim elected to congress. Ellison's platform included opposition to the war in Iraq and the need for universal health care. Ellison received strong support from Arab Americans and American Muslims because, as he stated, "it's natural…for people to want to see themselves reflected in the governance of society."

The election of Iraq war vets - especially Pennsylvania's Patrick Murphy and Joseph Sestak is welcomed by Arab Americans. Both candidates reached out to Arab Americans in their local communities and contributed a welcome thoughtfulness to the debate on Iraq.

Election 2006 was momentous for federal, state and local Arab American candidates. Of the 39 Arab American candidates vying in the general election, 24 won their races.

However, some of the most thoughtful and courageous members of congress were among those defeated, most notably Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) and Congressman Jim Leach (R-IA). Both had voted against the Iraq war and were known to be advocates of a more balanced U.S. foreign policy. Remaining dignified in defeat, AP reports, "Chafee said his loss may have helped the country by switching control of congress. 'The people have spoken all across America. They want the Democrats and Republicans to work together,' he said. 'I think the president now is going to have to talk to the Democrats. I think that's going to be good for America.'"

The retirement of House International Relations Committee Chairman Henry Hyde (R-IL) will likely result in even less balanced legislation coming out of that committee. Neither Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA) (the likely chair) nor Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) (who was in line to chair the committee had the House remained under Republican control) are known for their even-handed approach to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.

Teresa Isaac, one of the Arab American community's most charismatic elected officials, failed to win a second term as mayor of Lexington, Kentucky.

Congressman Nick Rahall (D-WV), chairman of the Arab American congressional caucus, is expected to become the next Chair of the House Committee on Resources.

Arab American Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), who won re-election by a resounding 63 percent, has announced his candidacy for House Republican Policy Committee Chairman.

Michigan State Rep. Barbara Farrah (D-MI) solidly won re-election with 69 percent of the vote. She helped the Michigan Democrats take control of the state house for the first time in eight years. As a respected leader within what is now the majority party, Farrah's name is being touted as a possible contender for house speaker. Her election would make her the first Arab American and the first woman to hold that post.