A POTENTIAL MOSLEM EXTREMIST TO BE ELECTED IN ANAHEIM?!?

Leader accuses fellow Republican of `extremist' Muslim views
By Sarah Tully

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Arab, Muslim and other groups are condemning a letter circulated by a Republican leader, warning that an Arab-American candidate holds "extremist" views.
Shawn Steel, immediate past chair of the state Republican Party, sent an e-mail, which was posted on blogs, that accuses Anaheim City Council candidate Bill Dalati of holding "extremist" views and participating in an "anti-American" rally.

Dalati, a Republican and Syrian immigrant, denied the claims. He and his supporters say he is being targeted because he is Muslim and Arab-American.

On Tuesday, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called on politicians to avoid "smear campaigns," while the Arab American Institute claimed the comments "bigoted." Anaheim leaders are planning a Thursday press conference to respond to the backlash.

Countywide, Dalati is believed to be one of three Arab-American candidates in city elections. Alin Hamade, who is from Lebanon, is running for Westminster City Council. Costa Mesa Mayor Allan Mansoor, of Egyptian descent, is up for re-election.

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Steel said he has never met Dalati, but his research has turned up the following accusations:

_Muslim groups: Steel criticized Dalati for supporting CAIR, which has an Anaheim office, and other groups that he believes advocate extremist, radical views.

Dalati said CAIR is a Muslim support and civil rights group.

_Rally: Dalati's Arab American Broadcasting Co. was a sponsor of the "Rally Against US-Israeli Terror in Palestine & Lebanon," which Steel said was "anti American" in his letter.

Dalati said he went to oppose war in general.

CAIR claims Christians, Jews, Muslims and others were among about 1,000 participants in the July 29 protest calling for a cease-fire in the Middle East.

_Campaign donation: Dalati donated $500 to the campaign of U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney, D-Ga., who lost her seat in this year's primary. McKinney made controversial statements questioning whether Bush had prior knowledge of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Dalati said he supported McKinney because of her stance against the Iraq war.

Steel, who has written about CAIR and was sued by the group, said the letter was prompted by a call from John Lewis, the campaign manager for Anaheim City Council member Bob Hernandez. Two seats are open.

Lewis said he wanted Steel's expertise on CAIR but did not consult Hernandez, who declined to return phone calls this week. Lewis said he posted Steel's comments on OC Blog, under the headline "Something Scary in Anaheim," so voters can do their own research.
"Frankly, I think it's a public service," Lewis said.

Dalati, who has worked to forge ties with law enforcement officials, said he decided to run for office to be a role model for the Arab-American community. Dalati said he is an "American by choice" after coming to the United States in 1984 with $600 in his briefcase, rising up as a businessman who owns an insurance agency and refurbishes homes. He loaned $200,000 to his campaign.

"I should be out campaigning ... learning to give strong speeches and about the issues of the city of Anaheim, not defending who I am and where I come from," Dalati said.


Pertinent Links:

1) Leader accuses fellow Republican of `extremist' Muslim views