Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-MI), and Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) received
special mention for the highest positive scores on Muslim and/or Arab issues
according to the August/September issue of the Washington Report on Middle
East Affairs.
WRMEA scored U.S. senators positively if they opposed the release of
convicted Israeli spy Jonathon Pollard, did not sign the letter to President
Clinton on moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, condemned anti-Muslim
intolerance, supported free trade with Jordan, opposed profiling of air
travellers. Senators scored negatively if they protested the use of anti-Semitic
language by Palestinians, opposed the use of UN Resolution 181 (the orginal
Palestine partition plan) in the peace process, supported keeping the ban on
travel to Libya.
At least three positive scores, and no negatives, identified the "good guys"
as follows: Spencer Abraham (R-MI), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Linclon Chafee (R-RI),
Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Charles Robb (D-VA), Strom Thurmond
(R-SC), and Paul Wellstone (D-MN).
The "bad guys" were identified as: Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Connie Mack
(R-FL), and Arlen Specter (R-PA).
WRMEA scored U.S. representatives on their support for Palestinian
statehood, opposition to the use of secret evidence in immigration cases,
recognition of the contributions of Muslims, opposition to profiling. They
scored negatively for condemning Palestinian use of anti-Semitic language,
supporting Isreli claims to Jerusalem, supporting the linking of Arab aid to the
issue of missing Israeli soldiers.
At least two positive scores, and no negatives, identified the "good guys"
as follows: David Bonior (D-MI), Julia Carson (D-IN), John Conyers (D-MI),
Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Tom Davis (R-VA), John Dingell (D-MI), Amo Houghton
(R-NY), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Barbara Lee (D-CA),
John Lewis (D-GA), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Cynthia McKinney (D-GA), George Miller
(D-CA), Patsy Mink (D-HI), Jim Moran (D-VA, Bob Ney (R-OH), Ron Paul (R-TX),
Nick Rahall (D-VW), Robert Scott (D-VA), John Sununu (R-NH), Maxine Waters
(D-CA), and Mel Watt (D-NC).
The "bad guys" were identified as: Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Peter Deutsch
(D-FL), Michael Forbes (D-NY), Bob Franks (R-NJ), Gene Green (D-TX), Stephen
Horn (R-CA), Sue Kelly (R-NY), Rick Lazio (R-NY), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Nita
Lowey (D-NY), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Matt Salmon
(R-AZ), Jim Saxton (R-NJ), Bob Schaffer (R-CO), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Anthony
Weiner (D-NY).
These scores were prepared for the Washington Report on Middle East
Affairs by Shirl McArthur--a retired foreign service officer and consultant.
Presumably, Muslim organizations are preparing their own scores. Both should be
helpful to Muslims as they decide who to support or oppose in the upcoming
November elections.
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