Syrian-American Gov. Mitch Daniels Accepts Award from Arab American Institute

[Keith Bee]

by Benjy Sarlin

While some GOP presidential contenders ratchet up their anti-Muslim rhetoric to toxic levels, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniel (R) is set to accept a prestigious award next month from the Arab American Institute.

Maya Berry, executive director of AAI, told TPM that the award was incidental to his status as a possible presidential candidate and celebrates his broad record of public service and his Syrian heritage, which is not commonly known. Nonetheless, she noted that Daniels' award comes at a time of increasingly mainstream anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiment in conservative circles.

"It's a moment to honor our own and Mitch Daniels goes back to the founding of the institute as one of our earliest supporters," she said. "We have a community that comes with some unfortunate political baggage in terms of bigots...it's just nice when folks are proud of their ethnic background and don't allow that kind of politics of exclusion to get in the way."

Berry noted Daniel's emphasis on fixing the economy and the group's website praises his call for a "truce" on social issues, a quote that has invited heated attacks from religious conservatives.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/04/mitch-daniels-to-be-feted-by-arab-american-institute.php

Swear to God, I had NO IDEA Governor Daniels was Arab-American. Turns out his father's parents were Christian Arabs from Syria.

You know, Daniels, whom Ms Berry characterizes as "the adult in the room" when it comes to possible GOP nominees for 2012, would probably pose the greatest threat to Obama, so I hope he doesn't run. But I have to confess there's a part of me that would love to see a presidential election between an African-American and an Arab-American, just to watch wingnut heads explode across the country!

[Armstead]

1. There go his chances in the GOP primaries

[yurbud]

5. that was my instant reaction--he's also short.

[Bake]

10. You want short? Check out Haley Barbour.

He's every bit of 5'1" or 5'2".

Bake

[yurbud]

6. maybe if he cuts off one of his own arms and says it was the Syrian part, he could fool

them.

[AlinPA]

2. The teabaggers will crucify him.

[LiberalFighter]

3. They say they were christian arabs. But we all know the truth.

[Keith Bee]

4. I wonder if Batshit Bachmann knows...

Wouldn't it be great to be the one who tells her? :evilgrin:

[DrToast]

7. Is he for Sharia law?

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[Keith Bee]

8. Have you seen Sharia Law in concert?

Not much into rap, I must confess, but she is fantastic!

[DrToast]

9. I liked her earlier stuff

[Bake]

11. Wasn't she the one with the puppets when I was a kid?

:hi:

Bake

Edited to add: The puppet's name just came to me ... LambChops.

[and-justice-for-all]

12. Where is that birth certificate..nt