Rebellion in the Senate: Two Democrats Hurt Clinton
During votes in the Senate on President Clinton’s budget proposal and economic stimulus program, two Democratic Senators opposed the President. In different ways, they indicate trouble for Clinton. The most outspoken of Clinton’s two Democratic critics is Richard Shelby, a conservative Senator from Alabama. As a fellow Southerner, he might...
Senate Stalemate Spells Trouble for President Clinton
President Clinton’s budget proposal passed through both the House and the Senate in record time; however, this was probably the last of Clinton’s easy victories. This week the President ran into unexpected trouble in the Senate, and it is big trouble. At issue was the President’s proposed $16.3 billion stimulus...
The Middle East Remains a U.S. Foreign Policy Priority
With the ugly and dangerous war in Bosnia threatening to become even uglier and more dangerous, and with post-Cold War Russia in turmoil, it is fascinating to see the extent to which the Middle East remains a number one foreign policy priority for the Clinton Administration. While other world issues...
On Wednesday, March 31, a group of Arab American leaders is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of state Warren Christopher at the White House. The group, drawn from across the United States, includes leaders of most major Arab American organizations, elected officials, and community and business leaders. The meeting...
Dark Clouds Gathering; A Warning to Clinton
While President Bill Clinton’s all-important budget proposal seems to be moving easily through the Congress, dark clouds are gathering which may foreshadow future problems for the President. When the budget issue is the dominant policy question, as it has been for most of the past three weeks, Clinton and his...
The First 50 Days
During the 1992 Presidential campaign Bill Clinton spoke of his intention to set and meet major goals during his first 100 days in office. With that target period one-half over, the President seems confident that many of his important initiatives will be realized. The first few weeks of the Administration...
Three recent developments have brought cause for serious concern among the Arab and Muslim American communities. There is a fear that if these three issues are not properly addressed, they could genuinely threaten the political and civil rights of Arab Americans and American Muslims. At the same time, mishandling of...
Our Progress and Problems (and Maybe Yours, Too)
I am taking a brief detour from the type of articles I have been writing, in order to reflect for a moment on political developments in the Arab American community. Consideration of these events is important because they help to shed light not only on the problems my community is...
Clinton's Big Gamble
Secretary of State Warren Christopher is the only member of President Clinton’s cabinet not traveling around the U.S. building support for the President’s economic program. As Christopher and his aides visit five Arab states and Israel in an effort to restart the Middle East peace talks, the President, Vice President...
Christopher Wades Into Bosnian and Middles East Peace Talks
President Clinton is personally involved in the details of his domestic economic program, which he plans to introduce in his February 17th State of the Union address to the Congress. While there are numerous press accounts (so many that there can be no doubt they come with White House prompting)...
