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Iowa Arab Americans Ready for Nation's First Caucus

Posted on Wednesday January 7, 2004

Washington – With less than two weeks remaining before Iowa’s first in the nation caucus, Arab Americans have stepped up their drive to mobilize voters and increase their political profile throughout the state. Efforts in Iowa are part of AAI’s “Vote 2004: An Agenda for Peace and Justice” campaign which was launched at AAI’s National Leadership Conference (NLC) in October. The NLC marked the first time all major presidential candidates addressed a national Arab American audience. “Vote 2004” is a national campaign highlighting states with a large constituency of Arab Americans including Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Virginia, and California. For more information on “Vote 2004” visit www.aaiusa.org/elections.htm

AAI has sponsored voter registration drives throughout Iowa and conducted caucus training sessions in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. “We’ve been doing so much, that Arab Americans have become a resource for the broader community. It’s a very nice thing to see our community take the lead in the nation’s first political contest of 2004,” said Valerie Smith, AAI Iowa Field Organizer. At the caucus trainings voters learn the details of the caucus process including choosing presidential candidates, running for delegate to the national conventions, and submitting resolutions to the party platform. AAI will sponsor a final training session in Cedar Rapids, home to the oldest mosque in North America, this Friday.

In a caucus where only 2% of the electorate participates, Arab American caucus goers are poised to make a significant impact. Statewide Arab American activism has attracted the attention of the media and the public alike. “We’ve done numerous interviews with local, national and international media. I think the fact that there is a visible Arab American presence at nearly every major event has brought the media and public to us. People see us with our ‘Arab Americans for Mideast Peace’ signs and they ask about our concerns. Inevitably they end up asking for a sign to hold and join us,” said Miriam Amer, a member of AAI’s Iowa Arab American Leadership Council (IA-ALC).

Arab Americans have been receiving positive feedback from the presidential candidates at events across the state. During a visit to Iowa City, Smith gave Gov. Howard Dean a copy of the joint AAI/Americans for Peace Now poll, which found Arab and Jewish Americans in agreement on the basic tenets for MidEast peace. Former Vice President Al Gore gave a thumbs-up to the Arab American delegation when he saw their trademark signs at the Cedar Rapids event announcing his endorsement of Governor Dean and members of the ALC attracted attention from representatives of the Dean, Kerry, Kucinich, and Moseley-Braun campaigns at a Labor Day parade in Des Moines. ALC member Newman Abuissa hosts meetings for supporters of Senator John Kerry in his Iowa City home.

“The key to our national campaign is the active involvement of grassroots organizers in each state. Iowa Arab Americans have been visible at events across the state and because of that we are being sought after by the campaigns. If they see you at every stop, they know they can they can count on you come Caucus Day. This presence has contributed to the arrival of Arab Americans as a valued constituency in American politics,” said AAI President James Zogby.

Senator John Kerry and Congressman Dennis Kucinich have followed the lead of 2000 Democratic candidates Al Gore and Bill Bradley in courting the Arab American vote with visits to the Cedar Rapids Islamic Center. Several more campaigns are likely to make visits in the days leading up to the caucus.

The Iowa segment of “Vote 2004” will culminate with a voter rally on January 17 at the Cedar Rapids Islamic Center. Dr. Zogby will host the event, featuring representatives from the presidential campaigns and Arab American activists from across the state. The rally will include voter registration and detailed information for registered voters on their precinct’s caucus. For more information, visit http://www.aaiusa.org/iowa.htm