Washington Watch Articles From 1992
The Senate: Back in the Limelight Again
Electoral politics is a never-ending game in the United States. No sooner has one election ended than preparation begins for the next round. This time, however, the next round may come much sooner than anyone expected.
The Democratic and Republican "Name Games"
There are at least three major political "name games" being played simultaneously in Washington these days. The outcome of all three will be critical in determining the political direction of the country during the next four years.
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.
Clinton's Problems with the Democrats
Political analysts have made news of the fissures that have opened up within the Republican party.
My Message to the Democrats
This past week I had the opportunity to testify before the Democratic platform drafting committee.
The Impact of the Press on Presidential Politics
While America's Presidential candidates bear party labels (Democrat or Republican), there is no national political party structure to speak of in the United States today.
H. Ross Perot: Solution or Symptom?
Looming over the horizon of the 1992 Presidential campaigns of George Bush and his Democratic opponent (presumably Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton) is the threat of an independent campaign by Texas billionaire H. Ross Perot.
Arab Americans in the Political Conventions: Building on Past Gains
This past week more than 2,000 California Democratic delegates met for their 1992 state party convention. Twenty Arab American delegates were present at the convention. They held their annual caucus meeting (the Arab American Caucus is now an officially recognized branch of the California Democratic party). They also hosted a gala Arab American reception which was attended by more than 500 delegates. Most importantly, the Arab American caucus also confronted pro-Israel Democrats at the convention in a platform debate on Israeli settlements and U.S. loan guarantees to Israel.
Media + Money in Politics = Anger, Confusion and Alienation
This week's election story can be written in three words: anger, confusion and alienation. It is interesting to note, however, that it is not only voters expressing these attitudes toward politicians: politicians themselves are now speaking out against the political process.
Democrats in New York: Blacks, Jews, Jackson and the Middle East
Every presidential campaign views New York as a major hurdle to get over. Nowhere else in America is politics so intense, so nasty, and so complex.
Big Changes in the New Congress?
This year's congressional elections may produce the largest number of new members of Congress in the last forty years.
Israel's Friends Running for the Senate in 1992
Not only are the parties choosing their Presidential candidates this election year, but all 435 members of Congress and 35 Senate seats are up for reelection as well.
Campaign '92: Preparing for Super Tuesday
While President Bush continues to win in each of the presidential primaries, the margin of the victories is causing concern in the White House.
Campaign '92: Observations at Half-Time
While President Bush continues to win in each of the presidential primaries, the margin of the victories is causing concern in the White House.
Campaign '92: Getting Meaner and More Confused
Last week, Democrats and Republicans in Maine and South Dakota voted in primary elections and the results only added more confusion to the already confused 1992 presidential campaigns.
George Bush and His Challengers: Who They Are and Where They Stand on Arab Issues
Six months ago it appeared certain that the 1992 elections would be a non-event. Buoyed by high ratings in the polls, George Bush seemed unbeatable. Democrats were in disarray. Paul Tsongas, a little-known former one-term Senator from Massachusetts was the only announced Democratic candidate. Other bigger name Democrats seemed unwilling and afraid to enter the race.