UPDATED ON:
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
02:37 Mecca time, 23:37 GMT
 
Focus
'Why I support John McCain'

Arab-Americans are hoping to assist McCain's campaign [GALLO/GETTY]

David Ramadan is a member of the Virginia delegation to the Republican National Convention.

A Lebanese-American, he is also the vice-chairman of the party's outreach work to Arab and Muslim communities in Virginia. He spoke to Al Jazeera about why he is a Republican and what he is hoping for from a John McCain administration.

"I originally immigrated to the US in 1989 to study and it has been home ever since.

I now teach Middle Eastern politics and history at George Mason university in Virginia.

In focus

In-depth coverage of the US election
My father was always really interested in politics in the Middle East so I grew up recognising the civic duty of every member of the community to be involved in politics.

It was natural that I joined the Republican party when I got here because of their values - which match my own. In particular, family values, entrepreneurship, lower taxes [and] less government.

In my local area in Virginia, I am responsible for helping to get out the vote on election days - it is the grass-root level work which I really enjoy as I really enjoy meeting the people.

Statewide, I am also in charge of outreach work for Arab and Muslim communities and outreach work in houses of worship and at other events.

Separating ties

Bush's unpopularity is a challenge for
Republicans [EPA] 
It is a two-way role that means educating the public about the Republican party and also educating the Republican party on the Arab-American and Muslim community on what we need from candidates in order to support them.

We do not get much support from the Arab-American community - but that is something we are trying to change.

As Americans we are trying to focus on local policies and local communities and join the party on a local level.

On that side I find Arabs and Muslims support us because they are conservatives, but we need to separate our ties to the homeland and foreign policy from local policies.

The main challenge is the huge unpopularity of George Bush [the US president] and we have a big fight ahead of us but the Democratic party is not the solution either.

It will be much easier once George Bush has left office and we get [John] McCain in.

'Reformer' McCain

McCain is a reformer, McCain is pro-immigration, McCain is a centrist.

McCain supports the US finishing the trouble that George Bush got the US into in Iraq.

The US should withdraw its troops from Iraq but first they need to get the job done and that job is to secure America's interests and secure democracy in a solid Iraq.

As an Arab, I am very worried about what would happen in Iraq if US troops withdrew today. I would anticipate genocide and civil war in Iraq if that happens.

That is not a solution unless we are looking to Joe Biden, who says let us divide Iraq into three sections and make it three countries.

Obama's 'celebrity'

"Arabs who are hoping for change under Barack Obama are misinformed"

David Ramadan, Republican delegate

Arabs who are hoping for change under Barack Obama [the Democratic presidential candidate] are misinformed.

They are falling for the celebrity status of Obama and they believe that whoever is against Bush will be their candidate.

Obama is not good for the Arab world, just as he is not good for Israel.

We need to inform people in the Middle East and Israel about exactly what John McCain stands for compared to what Obama does not stand for - and then they will see the light.

 Source: Al Jazeera
 
Feedback Number of comments : 24
 
D. L. GRAHAM
United States
02/09/2008
PALIN A SECESSIONIST! (PART ONE)
VICE-PRESIDENT SARAH PALIN OF THE WEST COAST CONFEDERATION! So, Sarah Palin was a member of the Alaskan Secessionist Party, GOOD FOR HER! The West Coast Alaska, Hawaii, Washington State, Oregon, and California represent the Worlds (5th) largest economy, and the (US/MIC) United States Military Industrial Complex in no way represents the people of the PAC/RIM Pacific Rim Economy, nor does the West Coast support the Zbigniew Brzezinski The Grand Chessboard (FSWD) Full-Spectrum-World- Domination

Serajuddin nasafi
United States
02/09/2008
Comment on why I suuport McCain
September 2, 2008 Subject: Comment on Mr. Ramadan Mr. David Ramadan is a sold out person to the west and to the republican of this country so, he has to talk non-sense in order to progress, and he chose to be a yes man and kissing politicians feet in order to hang on to his position. First of all he called himself David, right there I can see his level on the scale, how unfortunate? What is wrong with our own Islamic names? Most of non-Muslims when they convert to Islam they change their

serajuddin Nasafi
Afghanistan
02/09/2008
Cont. on Why I support McCain
names to an Islamic names but, Mr. Ramadan is knowingly going backwards, so he is nothing but a phony man. Can David Ramadan tell us what kind of progress has been achieved during the last eight years of Republican George Bush between Israelis and Palestinian Governments? We all know that, the answer is “A big Zero”. These republicans attached Iraq and Afghanistan killing over million Muslims in those regions, destroyed everything there

nadine
Afghanistan
02/09/2008
Why I support John Mccain
"I support John Mccain because I am being paid a lot of money to sell out my Arab brethren being killed in Iraq."

Leo
Canada
02/09/2008
McCain
Another Pro War republican in the white house? are you nuts? MCCain supported Bush 90% of the times, what makes you think he will be any different? US needs major change and it will only come with someone who will staunchly support change. It is people who are like you who feel insecure when things start to change. I doubt you are interested in seeing a brighter middle-east. What kind of name is David Ramadan anyways. Ciao

Dhoruba Bin-Wahad
United States
02/09/2008
Blinded by the light...
It is understandable that someone of Mr. Ramadan's ilk would support the covertly racist and openly reactionary Republican Party. Most immigrants, especially Arabs are clueless when it comes to race, politics and religion in America. They have no idea of the struggles people of color waged here, and only realize the need for solidarity withe the poor and disenfranchised when they themselves are attacked and marginalized. Ramadan will quickly find out what a reactionary dope McCain truly is.

whatisthis
United States
02/09/2008
why is this news?
Have not you learned anything? Or this a bone to the dogs, so they quiet down? McCain can say whatever he wants, once in power he will be a tool of the GOP and neo-cons who are still in control. There is no substance here, what are the differences pointed out in the closing sentence? This is not news to say an ethnic minority has some people supporting a presidential campaign. Sure the GOP says they represent some alignment Muslim beliefs. Though the majority are anti-Islamic haters, shun them.

H
United States
02/09/2008
Why people support McCain
The minorities in the US that support republican policies are usually middle class or rich. They are not the ones that are directly affected by US's foreign or domestic policy. Will the US magically change if they elect Obama? No, but hopefully it will be the start of a foreign policy that looks at other countries as equals instead of potential targets or sites for American bases abroad. Obama wants a plan for Iraq, but McCain just wants to "stay the course". What does that even mean?

sameen
India
03/09/2008
Both are same
In the context of the Muslim or the Arab world, both the presidential candidates are same- shamelessly one sided and hostile. It is only that McCain does not hide his hostility. The good thing is that most Muslims already know this.

William
Kazakhstan
03/09/2008
good for Israel
"...outreach work in houses of worship..." I really wonder what kind of "mosque" would invite someone such as this who is promoting the American occupation of Iraq and the Israeli occupation of Palestine. I also wonder if he feels a giddy sense of excitement when he hears Senator McCain talk about his plans for bombing Iran.

Outdoorfanatic
United States
02/09/2008
So Sad
I hope there are no Iranian Americans supporting McCain because if elected he will invade Iran and massacre every Iranian he can find. Similar to how Bush killed Iraqis for their oil. Learn the lessons of the American Indian, when you trust the devil you will be burned.

silly-Expat
Canada
02/09/2008
Daluded.
This clown is deluded. I was involved with the USMC for the first gulf war and he is just another ***-head to shoot according to Drill Instructor. Obama is a well spoken, level headed Statesman who knows respect, and honor McCain was a spoiled military brat who did not last long in combat before being captured spent 5 years as a POW. Then comes back to cheat on his wife, marries 100 Mil trust fund chick, whores his support for political gain. An Arab-American who votes McCain is a w***e ....

Leonard Melton
United States
02/09/2008
I am not sure of this analysis ...
The traditions of voting patterns in this country have historically been an encouragement to continue along party lines and policy as a continuation of status quo, as for example with the current Republican Administration. To endorse the present system of things with 'bomb, bomb, bomb - bomb, bomb Iran' and stay in Iraq for '100 years' does not, in my opinion, indicate a fundamental shift from current US policy in the Middle-East. My personal opinion is we as Americans need fresh leadership.

Serajuddin Nasafi
Afghanistan
02/09/2008
Cont. Why I support McCain
, still continuing for their dirty jobs in those territories plus loosing over four thousands of our American soldiers lives and wounding over thirty thousands soldiers most of them permanently disables for the rest of their lives. All this for steeling oil, security for Israel, disrupting Islamic world and controlling of the Golf region. It wasn’t Saddam Hussein, because we have a lot Saddam Husseins in those countries right now. Serajuddin Nasafi

SAM SIRRIYEH
United States
02/09/2008
MCCAIN
WHY WOULD ANY MUSLIM OR ARAB VOTE FOR MCCAIN.I HAVE BEEN REGISTER AS A CONSERVATIV FOR 30 YEARS.IWILL VOTE FOR OBAMA THIS TIME.MCCAIN IS BUSH IMAGE ,WILL NOT HELP OUR PEOPLE.

John Nettles
Afghanistan
02/09/2008
Why I support McCain,David Ramadan
I hope this man is just being funny,I hope that he is not serious.

Arab American
United States
03/09/2008
McCains family values
Family values like yours? You mean walking out on his sick wife? Choosing a VP with a daughter out of wedlock (so whatever values she taught did not stick). Republicans talk of small government but are BIG SPENDERS. They have outsourced the war, mismanaged it and gave incompetence a bad name. I am not thrilled about OBama or his ties to AIPAC, but McCain is no better.

Bob
United States
03/09/2008
I am shocked that Mr. Ramadan would support McCain. I didn't see McCain visiting Palestine when he visited Israel, which Obama did bother to do (granted, it was for 45 minutes). But then of course, American politicans cannot say anything concerning the scandal of a place that no longer exists and the world has forgotten. Mr. Ramadan is careful to say "Israel" and not the P word.

Bruce Sims
United States
03/09/2008
David Ramadan McCain support
This person is so misinformed it's ridiculous except that he is a Republican and that ,by itself nowadays,provides the 'excuse'. McCain is NOT "McCain is a reformer, McCain is pro-immigration, McCain is a centrist." And to back up my assertion, I urge all to read "McCain: The Myth of a Maverick" by Matt Welch and "The Real McCain: Why Conservatives Don't Trust Him and Why Independents Shouldn't" by Cliff Schecter

Poyan Nahrvar
Canada
03/09/2008
Sickening
This person's views regarding the republicans, and McCain in particular are deeply disturbing. Support for Israel, the Iraq war, etc how can an Arab work so hard against the interest of his own people? And if he identifies with this sort of racist imperialism, then why does he even insist on calling himself an Arab? It is because of people like David Ramadan that the Arab world is in the sorry shape it is in today!!!

Dave
United States
03/09/2008
Why I disagree... with Mr. Ramadan
With all due respect to Mr. Ramadan and his own beliefs, I think that he has not said anything specific to make his case in this article. Many who have had the opportunity to hear Obama, beyond the stump speeches, are immediately struck by the breadth and depth of his knowledge and the level of detail with which he is able to speak to policy issues. It is high time for a real change in our uncritical support for Israel, and more respectful relationships with all parties in the Middle Eas

Dianne
United States
03/09/2008
Republican values
I think its time that Americans look at our country as a whole, and begin the healing process. There are gaping wounds to heal from this failed Bush-Cheney administration. Barack Obama has the vision, wisdom, energy, youth and inspiration to do just that. Barack Obama is able to inspire people, to give them hope for their own future. He is the right choice for president of the United States of America.

Gary
United States
03/09/2008
ironic support
I wonder which Republican "family values" Mr. Ramadan thinks Bush supports - state sponsored torture, lying to start a war that has claimed over a million lives, profligate fiscal policy, or the erosion of fundamental constitutional values. Mr. Ramadan needs to worry not only about getting OUT of Iraq but supporting a political party that has a good chance of getting us INTO Iran.

B.G Qarmout
United States
05/09/2008
As a Christian Arab-American, Iam a rebublican. McCain was not my first choice, but Obama is no Choice at all. As for peace and war. All Americans want Peace but the more important question is what does our enamies want? America must only exit Iraq when the job otherwise we become the laughing stock of the world. America is not coward and can not be seen as such. Once war is declared then it must be run by Generals not politicner. You only declare war to win or you stay home.

 
ARTICLE TOOLS
 Email Article  Email article
 Print Article  Print article
 Send Feedback  Send feedback
 Share article  Share article