Muslim leaders: 2020 Democrats ignoring our community

[JonLP24]

Many Muslim activists and operatives already felt all but neglected by the Democratic presidential candidates.

Now, as most 2020 contenders are set to skip what is billed as the largest annual gathering of Muslims in the country this weekend, they’re growing increasingly fearful that Democrats may miss an opportunity to mobilize their community against President Donald Trump next year.

Only two Democratic hopefuls, Bernie Sanders and Julián Castro, have confirmed they are going to the Islamic Society of North America’s convention. Organizers said they invited every candidate polling above 1 percent to participate in the presidential forum, as well as Trump, who also is not attending.

“If they’re serious about courting the Muslim vote, they have to show up. They have to actually follow up words with actions,” said Wa’el Alzayat, the CEO of Muslim advocacy group Emgage and a former member of the Obama administration. “They have positioned themselves as the party that has opposed the Muslim ban, rampant Islamohobia, and the rhetroic and policies of the Trump administration.”

https://www.politico.com/amp/story/2019/08/30/muslim-leaders-2020-democrats-1479168?__twitter_impression=true

[JoeOtterbein]

1. Thanks for posting Holly's article.

It's a sure-fire way to get me to rec it!

[George II]

2. Every candidate can't attend every event.

[JonLP24]

4. The Muslim vote can help us win swing states

According to the Pew Research Center, Muslims represent just 1 to 2 percent of the country’s population, but they tend to live in strategic places — swing states like Florida, Ohio and Virginia.

“When the vote is close, then in fact, the Muslim vote in those swing states can play a significant role. They ... will be seen as a significant minority community,” Georgetown University Islamic studies professor John Esposito said.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.voanews.com/usa/muslim-american-voters-could-swing-battleground-states%3famp

[George II]

5. Yes, 1% of the population, but much less than half are voters, and it's six months....

...from any primary.

Did you know that they only invited 10 of the candidates? THEY were selective in their invitees yet expect everyone invited to attend.

[JonLP24]

6. They invited everyone polling over 1% including Donald Trump who also is a no show

I'm glad Castro & Sanders are showing up.

[George II]

21. So they decided in advance who aren't viable candidates. But remember, among those under 1%....

..are some sitting United States Senators - Gillibrand (presumably the invitations went out more than two days ago), Klobuchar, Bennet, and Governor Bullock. Pretty short sighted to ignore those who are still very active in government. And also unreasonable to have winnowed the field themselves and are now upset that most of those invited aren't going.

If they live in the strategic swing states of Florida, Ohio and Virginia (also Michigan), why is the convention being held in red state Texas?

I suspect there are some unmentioned side stories here, too, among them the fact that Sanders endorsed Abdul El-Sayed in last year's Michigan Democratic Primary for Governor and actively campaigned for him against Gretchen Witmer. He got smoked by 22% by Witmer, who went on to win the General Election easily.

[sheshe2]

24. +1000

[Celerity]

25. the big one is Michigan nt

[question everything]

15. Especially during the busy Labor Day Weekend

that "officially" starts the campaign season. Or, at least, used to..

[demosincebirth]

3. Really? We only have fourteen months left.

[Vegas Roller]

7. So they will vote for Trump if no presidential contenders show up?

or stay at home and risk that Trump might win again?



I have seen trying to get far more attention than deserved by other small groups before also. They are simply not a large enough group to have a parade of POTUS contenders address them.

[JonLP24]

9. Like I said they are important in swing states

In recent years, Muslims have worked to prove that they are an increasingly powerful voting bloc that should be taken seriously, particularly in key swing states. Muslim voters were credited with helping Sanders defeat Hillary Clinton in a shocking upset in Michigan’s primary in 2016. According to a study by Emgage, voter turnout among Muslims also increased 25 percentage points between 2014 and 2018 in the states of Ohio, Florida, Michigan and Virginia.

From the OP

[George II]

19. But they're meeting in Texas?

[manofmedan]

11. Wait a minute

When one of the most oppressed ethnoreligious groups in the United States asks for the attention of presidential candidates ask for the attention of presidential candidate, you reaction is to laugh at them and say "you're shit out of luck, who else you gonna vote for?"

That's not just inhuman cruelty, that's some borderline racism. Do you laugh when Jews ask for attention from the community? Let's hope your boy Biden isn't anything like you.

[gopiscrap]

12. welcome to DU

[marble falls]

13. How many Democraric Muslims have been elected and how many GOP? Who's not listening?

[lunasun]

14. ++Some sick reply & glad Sanders and Castro will deliver their message

and listen to the group that attends

[George II]

16. That's not what he said, not even close.

[still_one]

23. Of course not George, and I as Jew know exactly what these not so subtle attacks are trying to infer

Last edited Fri Aug 30, 2019, 10:31 PM - Edit history (1)

and it is beyond despicable

My advice is don’t engage with them in their insidious slander

It isn’t worth it

Wonder why he thought it necessary to bring Jews into this thread which is about Muslims

[yardwork]

30. Obvious seems obvious to me.

[Uncle Joe]

20. Welcome to D.U. manofmedan

[emmaverybo]

26. Your boy Biden? NT

[stonecutter357]

8. lol fail !

[NYMinute]

10. Some groups seek more power than their actual strength nt

[treestar]

17. How big is the Muslim vote?

And do they vote as a block?

I remember researching their percentage in the population to show anti-Muslim right wingers they were insane to think there are enough Muslims "flooding" the country to get Sharia Law.

[George II]

22. There are only 3.5 million in the US, including children. Considering that many have immigrated...

...to the US in the last year or so and probably aren't yet voters, my guess is maybe 1.5 million voters max?

[treestar]

28. Exactly, thank you!

And they may vote differently among them - we'd win all the time if only the female vote would be a voting block.

[democrank]

27. Support for the Muslim community is very important

so I’m thankful Sanders and Castro will attend this convention.

[George II]

29. It is important, but for them to complain that some of their cherry-picked invitees....

....aren't going on the busy Labor Day Weekend is counter productive.

I still want to know why they didn't invite all of the candidates, not even Amy Klobuchar whose state has one of the largest Muslim communities in the country and one of only two Muslim women Members of Congress.

[yardwork]

31. I don't know much about this particular group.

No one organization speaks for all Muslims, or all Jews, or all Christians....