http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/23/syed.muslim/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
While she makes valid points, the author's praise for Mr. Bush's decision to visit mosques and otherwise campaign with Muslim Americans neglects that such campaigning has been self-serving, while his policy decisions have hurt Muslims in America and around the world. And, as Gen. Powell stated, the Republican party has fomented hatred and fear against Muslim Americans. I don't defend Mr. Obama's decision to keep Muslim Americans at bay, but I do believe the substance of his policies and his leadership generally will help Muslim Americans and all racial and religious minorities in America.
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Interesting link and post. I have a couple responses, one for you and one for Ms. Syed.
First, I agree that Mr. Obama's foreign policy would likely be better for Muslims at home and abroad than Mr. Bush's has been or than Mr. McCain's likely would be. As your post implies, symbolic campaigning with Muslims and substantive policies regarding Muslims are two different matters. But that doesn't mean that the symbolism of campaigning with Muslims is unimportant: it does significant good if a Bush supporter otherwise skeptical of Muslims sees President Bush standing beside them or praising their faith. It's possible to recognize that this is real good that Mr. Bush has done, even if it did serve his own interests, while still lamenting his foreign policy and its effects on Muslims.
Second, I think Ms. Syed glosses over the fact that it is politically easier for Mr. Bush to campaign in mosques or stand beside and praise Muslims than it is for Mr. Obama. I can't imagine a person having their bigoted suspicions confirmed if they see Mr. Bush standing with a Muslim. But surely some group of people would see Mr. Obama standing at a mosque and say, "Aha! I knew it! He's been a secret Muslim all along, or a terrorist sympathizer!" It's the reason Nixon could go to China when Democratic presidents could not: when dealing with a person or group that, for better or worse, is viewed as extreme or anti-American, it's easier for someone with hard-right credentials to reach out than someone on the left. Now, that is not to excuse Mr. Obama's failure to give Mr. Powell's answer or to campaign alongside Muslims. It is still a fair point that doing so would have great symbolic importance for Muslim-Americans, just as Bush doing so has symbolic importance. Let's recognize that Mr. Obama would be paying a political cost for doing so that Mr. Bush would not. Then let's talk about whether he should do it, despite that cost.
A related thought...Obama also supposedly refused to get a picture taken with Gavin Newsome, the mayor of that good ol' liberal beacon San Francisco. Muslim Americans aren't the only ones to be snubbed.
Political calculation is necessary and may help a candidate who is actually good on civil rights issues do more good once she or he gets elected.
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