Washington Watch Articles From 1992
Cabinet Appointments and the Continuing Campaign
President-elect Bill Clinton has almost completed his first round of cabinet and sub-cabinet appointments. The process has been a fascinating one to watch, and by watching there is a great deal to learn about Clinton's style of governing.
Arab Americans and the Clinton Transition Process
A steady stream of major political interest groups and constituent organizations have paraded in and out of the Clinton Presidential Transition offices in downtown Washington in the past three weeks. They go in with positions papers, hoping to influence future policy; or with stacks of resumes, hoping to secure important positions for their members and supporters.
New Challenges Even Before Inauguration
One month after winning the Presidency, and six weeks before assuming office, Bill Clinton is facing a dramatically changing political landscape, both inside the Washington beltway and the world outside it.
The Clinton Administration and the Arab world: Some Early Advice
The transition from the Bush to the Clinton Administration is in full swing. Not only did President-elect Bill Clinton come to Washington this week to meet with Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill and President George Bush at the White House, but the Democrats' transition offices have opened; and they are beginning to lay out their plans for the most massive shift of government policy and personnel that this city has witnessed in the past twelve years.
A New President and A New Congress
This week President-elect Bill Clinton makes his first post-election visit to Washington to meet with the congressional leadership. His priority will be to solidify his ties with the legislative branch and build amicable working relationships, which he will need to get his initial proposals through Congress in a timely manner.
Clinton and the Middle East, No Time For Panic
There has been a great deal of analysis and commentary in the Arab press about the impact of a Clinton presidency on the Arab world. Many of the articles I have seen have been fundamentally flawed, based as they were on simplistic distortions or inadequate analysis.
Election Eve Observations
As recently as one week ago the outcome of the U.S. election seemed certain. Bill Clinton's lead appeared to be so insurmountable, especially in several key electoral states, that no political analyst I know could imagine a realistic scenario that could turn the election around for George Bush.
Setting the Stage for Debate Week
This will be an all-or-nothing week for George Bush. His campaign has been attacking Bill Clinton and struggling since the Republican National Convention. But Bush does not seen to be gaining any ground.
The Electoral Vote Revisited: Understanding This Year's Campaigning
To understand the inner workings of U.S. presidential elections, it is necessary to understand the role played by what is called the electoral vote.
The Campaign Descends into "Politics as Usual"
In a presidential election year, almost anything can become "political": even a hurricane, even a candidates' wife.
Bush vs. Clinton: The Campaign Begins
For the first time in nine months Bill Clinton has a real opponent.
Arab Americans at the Republican and Democratic Conventions
A record number of Arab Americans were delegates to this year's Republican National Convention. The more than 30 Arab American delegates who went to Houston represented a significant increase over the average 4 or so who attended Republican conventions in past years. They also signaled a breakthrough for Arab American political work within the party.
Fallout from the Democratic National Convention
Democrats are excited, Republicans are in disarray and Perot supporters are angry and confused.
Democrats and Their Conventions
When I walked to the podium of the Democratic Convention in San Francisco to nominate Jesse Jackson for President in 1984, I became the first Arab American to address a national political convention. In 1988, I was once again given that special opportunity when I walked to the podium of the convention in Atlanta to lead the historic debate on Palestinian rights.
Abortion and Other Issues: How They Define Presidential Politics
Since the beginning of this presidential election season, a number of issues have taken center stage in the national debate. For a period of time, each was viewed as a "defining issue", i.e. issues that would sharply define both the differences between the candidates and the nature of the presidential debate itself.
Bush, Clinton and the Middle East Peace Debate
George Bush took a big risk this election year in an effort to protect the Middle East peace process. From the results of the Israeli elections, it appears that his gamble may have paid off.
Clinton's Problems with the Democrats
Political analysts have made news of the fissures that have opened up within the Republican party.