Posted on 11/08/2006 3:29:24 AM PST by MadIvan
Keith Ellison, a Democrat, has become the first Muslim to be elected to the US Congress by winning a Minnesota seat in the House of Representatives.
He overcame personal attacks emphasising his past association with Louis Farrakhan, leader of the radical Nation of Islam group.
The 43-year-old lawyer sought to downplay his religion and ran on a populist platform.
He has called for the immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
On the campaign trail, he also urged a greater reliance on renewable fuels and the establishment of a government-funded universal healthcare system.
"Tonight, we made history," Ellison said in a victory speech to supporters.
"We won a key election, but we did much more than that.
"We showed that a candidate can run a 100% positive campaign and prevail, even against tough opposition."
But another Democrat, Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth, failed in her attempt to win an Illinois House seat despite a high-profile campaign.
The former helicopter pilot, who lost both legs after being shot down in Iraq, lost to Peter Roskam in a Republican stronghold.
Lieberman triumph
In the Senate races, Hillary Clinton - a former first lady and leading contender for the Democratic nomination in next year's presidential poll - easily won re-election in New York.
And former Democratic heavyweight Joe Lieberman - candidate for vice-president in Al Gore's failed bid for the presidency in 2000 - beat an official party candidate to reclaim his Connecticut seat in the Senate as an independent.
Mr Lieberman, who lost the party primary earlier this year as a result of his support for the Iraq war and perceived closeness to President Bush, was backed by the Republicans, who urged their supporters to give him their votes.
Mr Lieberman will be one of two independents in the new Senate who have said they will align themselves with Democrats. The other, socialist Bernie Sanders, who served eight terms in the House of Representatives, won the Vermont seat of retiring Senator Jim Jeffords, also an independent.
But an attempt by another House member to win a Senate seat foundered. Republican Katherine Harris was heavily defeated by incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Nelson in Florida.
Ms Harris came to national attention in 2000 when, as Florida secretary of state, she certified Mr Bush as winning the bitterly contested state of Florida in his presidential race with Mr Gore.
Schwarzenegger's second term
In West Virginia, Democrat Robert Byrd's victory made him the Senate's longest serving member. The 88-year-old won a record ninth six-year term.
In the gubernatorial contests, Democrat Deval Patrick won in Massachusetts to become the first black governor of the state, and only the second elected black governor of any state.
In California, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger won a second and final term.
The former Hollywood action movie star easily defeated a challenge to his governorship from Democrat Phil Angelides.
Love, Ivan
I think there's a lot of Americans who are also terribly frightened today. I know I'm one of them. I'm so afraid of what will happen now in Iraq and Israel and even here in the U.S. Syria, Iran and N. Korea got exactly what they wanted. I feel like I've been punched in the gut.
Carolyn
Leni
Carolyn
After all, we're now in the Twilight Zone.
Leni
American Muslims Have Greater Political Say http://www.iqna.ir/en/news_detail.php?ProdID=77882
Muslim would be first in Congress
If Detroit native wins Minn. seat, as expected for Democrats, he'll take office oath on Quran.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061025/POLITICS01/610250359/1022/POLITICS
Let us remember, the Quran has no separation of church and state (of course I don't expect him to use the bible), i've told people about him a million times and his connections... no one listens, the same with CAIR.
ping
And it doesn't look like we will get any judges to replace the liberal ones... who wouldn't look at Ellison's or CAIRs connections.
Well, ammo run.
I don't know. Compared to Wellstone, this guy is probably a conservative. Most Muslims are pretty conservative on social issues. For Minnesota he may be the best we can do. ;)
True. Stalin is conservative compared to Wellstone. At least Stalin believed in a strong national defense.
Regards, Ivan
Leave it to Minnesota to elect a mouthpiece for Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda.
I think we have just voted ourselves into saddam and gomorrah.b'shem Y'shuaL-rd come quickly !
I'm sure that Rep. Bennie Thompson, D Mississippi, who will probably now be appointed as the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee will probably will find a place for Keith Ellison on his committee.
I feel the same way...but I've got to stay focused and remember what's important and procect those I care for the best I can.
The wolves that have been at our door since 9/11 and beyond are sharpening their claws right now.
They think they have an opening again to this country and we need to make sure it stays shut.
Thanks for the ping. Saving for later read.
Our new Somali citizens put Ellison over the top. Viva diversity!
This is really sick news!
I feel as though I have stepped into the Twilight Zone, and there is no way out!
As if I weren't chilled to the marrow, I am now.
We are a tiny, tiny minority though who take heed.
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