Press Room

AAI in the News

Arab Americans host hopefuls

By Niraj Warikoo
Detroit Free Press
Posted on Tuesday October 30, 2007

Richardson, Paul, Kucinich attend conference, speak

After three days of networking and political speeches, Arab Americans who attended a national conference in Detroit say they went home committed to continuing their fight for constitutional rights and restoring the United States’ image in the world.

But they’re not sure whether they’re able to make a difference yet.

“Until we have power politically, economically, we won’t be able to influence the agenda,” said Tarek Baydoun, 23, of Dearborn. “But we’re happy that candidates are coming to our community and seeking our support. The Arab American community is important—it’s growing and it’s not going away.”

Baydoun was one of hundreds of Arab Americans and politicians from across the country who gathered at a Detroit hotel this weekend for a conference sponsored by the Arab American Institute. It ended Sunday with several speeches by Democratic candidates.

The conference reflects the growing clout of the Arab-American community, which not too long ago was avoided by presidential candidates: In 1988, Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis rejected the endorsement of a major Arab-American group. This year, Democratic party leaders gave the candidates permission to address the conference despite a campaign boycott of Michigan because legislators moved up the date of the state’s primary.

A mix-up over the boycott might explain why none of the leading candidates appeared at the conference, institute head James Zogby said.

“We ran into this cross fire with the early states versus Michigan,” he said.

But he noted that the campaign teams sent high-level surrogates, including Illinois Sen. Barack Obama’s adviser, Tony Lake, and former Sen. John Edwards’ campaign manager, former Michigan congressman David Bonior.

The candidates who did appear were warmly received.

“I will follow the Constitution of the United States,” New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democratic presidential candidate, said Sunday to loud applause. “The erosion of our civil liberties is not just something that is felt by minorities—it affects all Americans.”

U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, was the first candidate to speak Sunday. He spoke about meeting with victims of war in Lebanon and criticized current U.S. foreign policy.

Republican candidates were also invited, but only Ron Paul addressed the conference.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean slammed those who divide the nation by scapegoating those with Middle Eastern ancestry.

“You have been singled out unfairly and unjustly … by politicians who hope to have a cheap electoral trick,” Dean said.

He cited successful Arab Americans such as former Sen. Majority Leader George Mitchell and Apple chief executive Steve Jobs.

“It is important for us to stand and recognize these leaders at a time when this community is under siege by those who would divide America in order to win elections,” Dean said.