Muslim vote may shift to Demos

[David__77]

By Geoffrey Fattah
Deseret Morning News

Across the nation, Muslims are about to send a very strong message through the ballot box to President Bush: We want change.
Although in years past most Muslims have typically voted Republican — identifying with the party's opposition to abortion and gay rights issues — this year the tide is expected to turn.
In a concerted effort, Muslim organizations in Utah and almost every other state have started voter registration drives and are encouraging Muslims to vote Democrat.

...

Although Muslims and Democrats on the whole make strange bedfellows, Ahmed said feelings that Bush must be voted out of office have overcome all other issues for Muslims. "Most Muslims tend to vote Republican," she said. "A survey we took last summer showed that Muslims would most likely vote for anyone other than Bush."

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,590041944,00.html

[arwalden]

1. Excellent!

I knew that something would come along to make up for the folks who pout and stick out their tongues and stomp their feet and shout "I'm staying home and not voting!" :hi:

-- Allen

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

2. I concur

As an American convert to Islam who is married to a Pakistani Muslim, I can vouch for this. We have many, many Muslim friends, all of whom DESPISE Bush with every fiber of their beings. We're trying to make sure people get out to vote in November and turn this beast out of office.

[David__77]

4. We need to welcome these friends.

I'm representative of what some see as the irony of a Muslim convergence with the Democrats in that I'm gay. Certainly, homosexuality is not accepted among most Muslims in this country any more than among, say, the Pentacostals or the Southern Baptists. But we need to unite on greater concerns.

I hope that in the long run we can forge a progressive alliance in our common fight for civil rights.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

14. Very good!

All the Muslims I know are planning to vote Democratic.

[eissa]

3. Bet on it

I've stated on here before that in 2000, Muslim colleagues of mine all over, but especially in Florida, did a major get-out-the-vote drive for *. Not this year; many of them are swinging over to our side, such is the hatred for this "president."

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

7. My Wichita friends

Seemed to like Poppy Bush because of the Gulf War. Imagine their surprise and dismay when they discovered what a scumbag Spawn of Poppy is.

I agree with David_77 that although Muslims as a group don't approve of homosexuality, we need to come together for the greater good of society. Muslims are also generally pro-life. I am very open-minded and am very much pro-choice and tolerant of other lifestyle choices. I think religion and tolerant beliefs can be reconciled.

[David__77]

8. Yes, they bought Bush's bait, unfortunately.

They believed him when he promised to repeal provisions concerning secret evidence. I think they thought he'd be closer to their position on Israel as well, given Lieberman's presence on the Democratic ticket. It's too bad so many people were taken in, not just among Muslims of course.

[On the Road]

5. During a Rally in DC Before the War

the ellipse was a mass of Muslim protesters bused in from many states. It was amazing. I saw a number of signs to the effect that "George Bush, you have lost our vote." Nothing that has happened since has caused them to return.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

10. And all the mosque visits

and Eid dinners in the world aren't going to change the fact that Bush is detested in the Muslim world.

[grannylib]

6. I don't understand how they possibly could support him, despite his

paying lip service to the "don't blame all Muslims for the actions of terrorists" thing after 9/11 (don't get me wrong, I am glad he said it and hope it did some good but I really personally don't think he gives a crap, it was to make him look good)
When Repiglican shills like Pat Robertson proudly and arrogantly display their ignorance of and hatred for Islam and Muslim people, and promote continued ignorance and lack of understanding, I would guess that is bound to piss off more than a few people...

[lovedems]

9. My question...

How long until ASScroft ties the Arab GOTV with a terrorist group? How long until Katherine Harris purges them from the voting rolls to disenfranchise them? Asscroft and his cronies (remember the Senator who blamed the Muslim organization across the street from him for his divorce? It was posted on DU a few months back) have spent the last 3 years showing their contempt for Muslims.

I think it is terrific what they are doing but I think the DOJ will do something to undermine it. That is their way!

Edit: Wait for an evangelical (Pat or Jerry) to accuse the dems of getting the "terrorist" vote! They do prey upon ignorance!

[mac2]

12. Ashcroft, Harris, etc.

When are they is a good question. When they come up for election, they sure are brave. Where was this all along?

Muslims are victims of Neo Cons just like the Jews in Isreal. Guess, many of them are figuring this out!!

[zbdent]

11. Dontcha love the Big Tent?

I guess that the problem lies with the fact that W is pushing (behind the scenes) for full background checks when a Muslim enters a grocery store.

Harkens back to the good ole days of the conservatives. You know, "Coloreds only" water fountains and the like.

[rogerashton]

13. The guy in the next office,

a Shiite who has been somewhat secularized, voted for Bush* and now opposes him. But the reason he supported Bush can be written in two words: Israel and Leiberman. I think Muslim support for the Demo party could be very volatile.

[marie123]

15. I very much doubt it

Muslims are very religious people who, like others want to display their beliefs publicly especially on certain holidays.

Before Christmas, oh sorry, before the winter holidays started, the red cross in England decided to ban anything that was representative of Christian Christmas. It was the Muslims who came out to try and stop it. Not because a Christian started the red cross or because they love Christians, but they also want to display their holidays and beliefs. Muslims want to wear their head gear (I mean no respect but I dint know what it is called) and Christians want to be able to wear their crosses. I have no problem with Muslims praying in my school as long as they don't have a problem with my child taking a pray time in school also.

I think Muslims will soon join Jews and Christians in preserving our religion out in the open. They are still relatively new to this country, but once ACLU puts their nose into their religion they will come around

[David__77]

16. ACLU and prayer.

I think you'll find that the ACLU has no problem with students praying in public schools. The problem is when the administration or teachers are encouraging prayer. Shouldn't it be the choice of the student, and the adults should stay out of it?

[marie123]

17. first the ACLU

has a huge problem with prayers in public schools

second, time will tell all

[NWHarkness]

18. Prayer in schools is 100% legal

And the ACLU has never, to my knowledge, tried to block anyone from praying in schools.

What is not legal, and the ACLU has opposed, is mandated prayer, sanctioned or led by school officials.

[NWHarkness]

19. Muslim voters in Michigan

Will help us keep our state a bright blue on election night!

But we have to take this beyond issues with Bush personally, and do what we can to make sure that they feel welcomed within the Democratic big tent.

[Forkboy]

20. I would think it would be tough to vote for people leading a crusade

against them.