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Iowa's Big Political Role in the Middle East

KWWL - Waterloo, Iowa
Posted on Monday September 24, 2007

A relatively small group of Iowans looks to make a difference in the 2008 presidential election.

The president of the Arab American Institute made a stop in Cedar Rapids Sunday night. He told a group of Arab Americans just how important their voice is in the upcoming race.

There are less than 5000 Arab Americans in Iowa. Many of them say, no matter how small the number, their voices need to be heard.

The president of the Arab American Institute, James Zogby, says those running for president need to talk more about what’s going on in the Middle East.

He says, “We have not debated Middle East Peace. We have not debated civil liberties challenges that we face in the country.”

He adds that the talk we’ve heard of the war in Iraq isn’t enough. “If Iraq is simply stay or leave and isn’t a more fundamental discussion about the Middle East as a region and where our policy failed, I think we don’t get to the root causes about why we’re in trouble in that region.”

Bill Aossey of Cedar Rapids comes from [Lebanese] descent. He says most running for president have avoided questions on the Middle East.

He says those talks need to start up, because life is getting worse for many over there. “The interruption of schools, their daily life. It has an emotional impact. As citizens of the United States we have to look at our responsibility of our government to help solve not only domestic, but international problems,” says Aossey.

Zogby says people like Aossey have a big responsibility this election cycle. “Being first in the nation comes with responsibility. This election is not just about Iowa. But it’s Iowa making decisions that affect all of America and indeed all of the world,” says Zogby.
He adds that the less than 5000 Arab Americans in Iowa have to be the voice to politicians for not just the United States and the Middle East, but for the world.