Can you say "pander"?
By: Arturo
Published On: 9/24/2007 2:18:42 PM
Last night, I attended the Arab American Institute annual candidates' forum. There were over 50 candidates there, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Greens, and others. I would guess that more than half of the 200 or so attendees were naturalized citizens like myself.
We didn't have a list of the candidates who spoke, so I didn't know who was a D, R, I, except for the obvious ones: R's who introduced themselves like this: "I am a first generation American", "I'm a second generation American", "I know your culture because I visited Egypt and Saudi Arabia", "I'm a third generation American and I sat in King Abdallah's living room with my husband, Congressman Davis". This candidate even said that she was somehow related to members of the audience. To her, it was a joke. To me, it was insulting.
Comments
What was the general tone? (Evan M - 9/24/2007 2:56:09 PM)
In general, was the forum productive? Were people talking
to each other instead of
at each other?
Too little time (Arturo - 9/24/2007 3:20:01 PM)
It was helpful for us to hear all the candidates, although they each only had one minute to say something. After each group of 20 or so candidates, two questions were allowed from the audience. Congressman Davis spoke also. He and his wife are typical politicians: they tell you what you want to hear. After the official part, we had the opportunity to speak with candidates outside of the ballroom, mostly Democrats. It must not have been a comfortable environment for the Republicans, what with all the immigrant bashing and the Patriot Act and so on. This audience and people like me who look different, were at the receiving end of all that ugliness after 9/11.
Thanks (Evan M - 9/24/2007 4:37:47 PM)
FWIW Arturo, thanks for keeping the faith and engaging your local politicians. Hope to see more diaries from you and your perspective in the future!