Candidates Woo Arab-American Voters in US
The Arab American Institute hosted its 21st annual Virginia Candidates Night on Sunday in Tysons Corner, Va.
Guest speakers included Republican Congressman Charles Boustany of Louisiana, and Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds, whose son is studying Arabic at college. In Virginia, candidates for statewide and local offices are courting the state’s nearly 50,000 Arab American voters; approximately 200 Arab Americans attended Sunday’s event.
“In some districts, local districts, local delegate districts, magistrate’s districts, we (Arab Americans) can actually make it or break it,” said Saba Shami, co-founder of the Arab American Democratic Caucus.
His counterpart, David Ramadan, co-chair of Virginia’s Arab American Republican Caucus, said core Republican values coincided with the values of his community. But he admitted that his party must overcome the negative results of eight years under the Bush Administration and what many Arab Americans believe is a disastrous Republican foreign policy created during this time.
“What we’re hoping is to make sure they understand what we’re looking at here is taxes, what we’re looking at here is transportation, what we’re looking at here are schools.
All the issues that they’re dealing with on the kitchen table with their families every day,” Ramadan told reporters at the event.
Many of those who spoke gave an overview of their campaign, while others, such as Kay Kory, from the 38th District, commended the Arab American community for its civic activism and pledged to protect the community from discrimination and harm; she added that she had helped get Arabic offered in the public schools of her district.
The evening’s headliners were the gubernatorial candidates. Democrat Creigh Deeds reminded those present that: “Virginia is stronger due to our diversity. We are all sons of immigrants, sons and daughters of immigrants.”
Most polls suggest that Arab Americans favor Democrats by 37 points, which may explain why Deeds’ Republican counterpart, Bob McDonnell, didn’t show up. Former Congressman Tom Davis represented McDonnell, telling the crowd: “Salamalekom. Proud to have you as the fabric of our society here in Northern Virginia.”
But opponents to McDonnell were present, handing out copies of a speech he previously made in support of Israel.
McDonald, running for governor of Virginia, told those attending the Virginia-Israel Solidarity gathering in 2006, that the US must support Israel hundred percent.
He said that the world was witnessing the latest attempt by terrorists to bring ruin to Israel,” and that “Israel is a brave and steadfast ally of the US.”
The event drew the largest number of Arab Americans to date, said Yusif Farsakh, an Arlington resident active in local politics and a member of the steering committee for the Virginia Candidates Night event.
“Arab American voters represent a significant demographic in the Virginia elections,” said Farsakh. “The potential impact of the Arab Americans could have profound implications for the upcoming Virginia elections.”
Barbara Ferguson
Arab News —