Washington Watch Articles From 1992
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.
What's Happening to the Bush Campaign?
The President's continuing downward slide in the polls and the repeated errors made by his campaign in recent weeks have even his strongest supporter's asking “What’s happening to George Bush?”
Elections Produce Real Changes in the U.S.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to write about U.S. politics without focusing on Ross Perot.
The Dynamics of a Three-Way Race
Whether he wins or loses, Ross Perot has already changed U.S. politics in this critical election year.
My Message to the Democrats
This past week I had the opportunity to testify before the Democratic platform drafting committee.
Arab American Congressional in 1992
While incumbents have reason to be concerned about the wave of discontent being expressed by voters in the ongoing 1992 elections, the mood of the electorate also presents challengers with great opportunities.
Race, Riots and Reassessment
The verdict in the Rodney King trial and the riots in Los Angeles that followed thrust the issues of race and the decline of urban America onto center stage of this year's political debate.
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.