Beyond my concept of logic.

With the exception of Lieberman and Gephardt and perhaps Dianne Feinstein, no major Democrat would make this choice. I wonder if Tom Lantos will endorse Bush if Dean bags the nomination? That would make for an interesting news item.

But it is really an indication of how focused the Democratic party is on multi-everything and on all things European (but old Europe only). Anti-Semitism is going to be a big problem for the Democrats going forward, especially if they have to appease Europe and Al Sharpton in the same platform. And look how well the Pakistani support is helping Kathleen Blanco in LA. While it may be news for the blogosphere only, it is a profoundly negative statement on her.

I agree with Mr. Hamlen's take, but would emphasize even more the influence of campaign money. No discussion of this issue can omit Cynthia McKinney, who was well-funded by Arab interests. As well that other black congressman (whose name escapes me) from Alabama, who was defeated in the Democratic primary notwithstanding similar financial support. The Saudis have poured money for decades into the Beltway, but that largesse has largely gone to think tanks. It will be interesting to see what happens as, inevitably I believe, this money starts flowing to individual Democratic candidates around the country (e.g. Blanco).

Fred Jacobsen
San Francisco

James Zogby was a major Gore/Lieberman supporter in the 2000 election, and arguably the most promanent Arab-American involved in the world of policitcal advocates/spinners.

He's ratcheted up his criticism of Bush since 9/11, but given the general mood of the American public today, I would expect the Dean campaign, or whoever gets the nomination, to attempt to lock him in a closet from about February through the November election, and especially during the August DNC convention in Boston.

Given the likely virulent anti-Americanism that TV viewers will see at the Athens Olympics in the two weeks before the Democrats' convention, letting someone like Zogby, or any other group espousing similar hostility towards U.S. foreign policy, would be political suicide that would all but end the fall campaign before it even starts.

Regarding Saudi financing of US politicians, the Saudis have also poured lots of money into Al Qaida, etc. (even if most of this money has likely gone to Al Qaida's well-regarded social programs and hospitals).

If it can be shown that Saudi campaign money is pouring into the election coffers of a particular candidate, that might make for some interesting campaign ads.

Though one would think that Saudi largesse would be prudently hidden by anyone receiving it these days.....

I wonder whar dean's wife would make of that?

Does the Arab-American vote even exist in any substantial sense? Bush went hard for it in 2000, calling for ending two important anti-terrorism policies that affected Arabs, and he still lost in Michigan, as did Sen. Abraham. My impression is Arab-Americans who are citizens and vote regularly tend to be highly assimilated, like former OMB director Mitch Daniels.

The Jewish vote is extremely small (around 3.5%) but the self-consciously Arab vote must be much smaller.

If you want to win elections, get white Protestants to vote for you. They outnumber everybody else by tens of millions.