Yesterday, right-wing House Republican Allen West finally conceded in his race against Democrat Patrick Murphy. West had made himself notorious for his anti-Muslim attitude. He argued that Islam is “not a faith” but a “totalitarian theocratic political ideology,” and that terrorism is inherent to Islam. He even said that Muslim congressman Keith Ellison (D) of “represent(ing) the antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established.”
But in an America that grows increasingly progressive and tolerant, bigotry can be a major electoral liability. Murphy’s margin of victory is roughly 1,900 votes. I talked to Imran Siddiqui, who is a Board Member for the organization Empowering Motivating Educating Resourceful Grassroots Entities, which registers Muslim voters in the area. He mentioned that his organization had 2,500 Muslim voters in their database in the district and that they witnessed 80 percent turnout. That means roughly 2,000 Muslim-American votes — a little bit higher than Murphy’s margin of victory.
West’s loss should be a lesson to all those in Congress who would try to use bigotry to their political advantage. Sometimes the targets of your ire get out and vote, and when they do, you lose.
The problem with Westy was not simply that he was using bigotry to gain a political advantage – he truly believes, holds to and espouses those bigoted, racist and hate-filled ideas about our American Muslim neighbors. He’s the kind of guy you DON’T want sitting next to you on a plane if you even look like you *could* be Muslim – because he may make you a permanent part of your airplane seat. He wasn’t using it as a political tool – it was who he was. Many others would have tempered their remarks for fear of being labeled a hatemonger. Not Westy. He wore his hate on his sleeve. He didn’t belong in an honorable establishment like the Congress in the first place. Good riddance.
Having followed West for quite some time, it did appear that he was a true believer in a number of extreme ideas. However hey may very well have also seen it as a way to generate political support. In the end, only he knows.