Keith Ellison’s Night Table

contentions ^ | 7.11.2007 | Gabriel Schoenfeld

[Contentions]

In my “Jews, Muslims, and the Democrats,” I discussed the significance of the election of Keith Ellison of Minneapolis, the first-ever Muslim member of the House of Representatives. I noted that in his campaign, Ellison had positioned himself as a moderate, and was at pains to distance himself from his extremist past, including his ties to Louis Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam. I also noted the possibility that he would continue to tack toward the political center. That possibility has not materialized. After a mere six months in office, he has been reverting to form...

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

I’ve often wondered why real muslims don’t seem to have a problem with Keith’s milquetoast version of islam. He appears, in his words and deeds to be borderline infidel.

[edcoil]

“I also noted the possibility that he would continue to tack toward the political center.”

Author Naive and stupid. no one goes to the center after elections.

[BigFinn]

You never know what lies beneath the bow-tie.

[DrDavid]

no one goes to the center after elections.

except conservative republicans.

[onedoug]

...why real muslims don’t seem to have a problem with Keith’s milquetoast version of islam.

Because for the time being he suits their purposes. He's ready, willing and able to radicalize as islamist purposes in this country dictate.

And though he may be the first muslim elected to Congress, there've been plenty of pan-islamists in the doing before him.