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[pgtl_10]

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/04/05/harry-reid-tells-muslim-congressional-candidate-get-out-of-the-race.html

“Let me blunt: You are not going to be able to win this race because you’re Muslim.”

Sounds like something Donald Trump or Ted Cruz might say. (Although even Cruz might be subtler.) But it wasn’t. These words were uttered by Democratic Sen. Harry Reid, one of leaders of the Democratic Party, to Jesse Sbaih, a Muslim-American Democrat seeking to run for Congress in Reid’s home state of Nevada.

Sbaih (pronounced suh-BAY), a trial attorney who was born in Jordan and came to America with his family when he was 11 years old in search of a better life, explained on my SiriusXM radio show that he was stunned by Reid’s comments. “It sounds like something a Republican would say, not a Democrat,” Sbaih, who lives in Henderson, told Reid at the time. But Reid would have none of it. And from that meeting on Reid, through his offices, began to pressure Sbaih to drop out of the race in Nevada’s third congressional district so that Reid could hand-pick a candidate he approved of.

Reid said it was his lack of experience but then supports Jackie Rosen who has no political experience:

But still Reid pressed on with his plan to stop Sbaih. In January, Reid chose Jacky Rosen, a political newcomer with no experience as an elected official, to challenge Sbaih. “This is ironic because in addition to the Muslim issue, Reid told me that he wouldn’t support me because I had no experience as an elected official, but now he’s supporting a person who also lacks that experience.” And while Sbaih has been able to raise substantial campaign funds, Rosen’s last FEC filing in late January revealed that she had not even raised one dollar for her campaign.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/04/05/harry-reid-tells-muslim-congressional-candidate-get-out-of-the-race.html

A local Nevada political commentator confirms religion was an issue:

I’ve confirmed that Sbaih’s religion did come up in conversations as a potential avenue of attack from opponents, but the Henderson lawyer insists Reid went further, saying to him, “Let me blunt. You are not going to be able to win because you are a Muslim.”

I see some soft racism and slash bigotry going on here:

“I want to clarify again as we have done so multiple times in person, that this was never about the Democratic Party not embracing your ethnicity or religion….it was about how to create a path and a base of support so you could withstand the attacks that we knew would inevitably come from the opposing side,” Jones responded to Sbaih. “I am profoundly disappointed that you are choosing to ignore the expert advice of so many who wanted to help create a path for you that would ultimately help you in your long term political and professional goals. “

https://www.ralstonreports.com/blog/reid-rejects-congressional-candidates-claim-he-told-him-not-run-because-hes-muslim

Washington Post says this:

In the exchanges of text message and emails provided by Sbaih, however, Reid’s allies do not say explicitly that Sbaih’s race or religion is a hindrance, nor do they confirm that Reid himself had said so.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/nev-candidate-says-reid-urged-him-to-quit-because-a-muslim-cannot-win-this-race/2016/03/28/7ebbffea-f2ce-11e5-89c3-a647fcce95e0_story.html

However the local political commentator who has a local public broadcasting show shows what appears to be some conceit coming from Reid's side and other strategists. The commentator also said that Sbiah was interested in Reid concession offer.

I read e-mail exchange on Mondoweiss:

http://mondoweiss.net/2016/04/palestinian-running-for-congress-in-nevada-says-harry-reid-told-him-a-muslim-cant-win/

My Thoughts:

I think religion was brought up by Reid judging from the e-mails. However, I think Sbaih maybe exaggerating what the Senator said. I find fault on both sides. Senator Reid's side does come off conceited though.

Trashy politics as usual.

For the record, some Arabs have been elected to Congress but not a Muslim Arab.

 

[Mr. X]

Trying to deter him from running due to his beliefs is an asshole move no matter how you want to spin it. Seems like projecting because he could've said "you're going to meet some resistance because you're Muslim, will you be able to deal with that?"

 

[NervousXtian]

I know it sounds really wrong coming from Reid, but he's probably correct. Maybe he's wrong, but I'm thinking in the current climate it might be a very hard sell... it's definitely going to be a focal point of attacks against him I'm sure.

Also the guy has no experience even in local level government, where as it might be beneficial to gain that experience before going for Congress.

Still, sounds horrible on the surface, but Harry Reid is a pretty smart guy.

 

[Steel]

Trying to deter him from running due to his beliefs is an asshole move no matter how you want to spin it. Seems like projecting because he could've said "you're going to meet some resistance because you're Muslim, will you be able to deal with that?"

Yeah... And there are Muslim congressmen. But there is an anti-not-christian quality in American elections, so I can kinda see where the idea comes from.

 

[pgtl_10]

I know it sounds really wrong coming from Reid, but he's probably correct. Maybe he's wrong, but I'm thinking in the current climate it might be a very hard sell... it's definitely going to be a focal point of attacks against him I'm sure.

Also the guy has no experience even in local level government, where as it might be beneficial to gain that experience before going for Congress.

Still, sounds horrible on the surface, but Harry Reid is a pretty smart guy.

The inexperience part would work if Reid didn't endorse another inexperience candidate.

 

[Kyzer]

Harry Reid is a rabblerousing dickhead. And like. On purpose. So whatever. He's basically democratic trump

 

[Khaz]

“Let me blunt: You are not going to be able to win this race because you’re Muslim.”
Could mean:

"Americans aren't likely to vote for you because of your religion"
Or
"You have no chance because I see Muslims as inferior people"


Realpolitik or Racism?

 

[NervousXtian]

Yeah... And there are Muslim congressmen. But there is an anti-not-christian quality in American elections, so I can kinda see where the idea comes from.

Really depends on what your district demo's are, there's viable areas where it won't be a factor, or could help even. I'm not sure about the district this guy is running under though.

 

[Khaz]

The inexperience part would work if Reid didn't endorse another inexperience candidate.

Given two equally experienced candidates, which is the most likely to get votes from the American population, the brown Muslim or the white Christian?

I don't like Realpolitik, especially when it comes to treating minorities, it's too close to accepting a situation without even trying to change it. Endorsing many more diverse candidates, even if many lose, is the best way to make them visible and "normal" to the average voter who is usually only voting for white Christian people.

 

[SolarPowered]

It doesn't surprise me. People say the same thing about Bernie all the time because he is Jewish. The worst part has to be the lack of help from people who you thought would help in the first place. That has to sting.

 

[Volimar]

I'm not a Reid cheerleader by any means, but he was probably giving his opinion based on his area's demographics. As a party leader, it's Reid's job to win seats.

 

[Aureon]

Institutional racism is a thing.
Reid is an asshole, but he's also likely right.
Trying to get elected, being Muslim (or Atheist) is a massive handicap

It doesn't surprise me. People say the same thing about Bernie all the time because he is Jewish. The worst part has to be the lack of help from people who you thought would help in the first place. That has to sting.

According to polls, being Black, Catholic, Jew or Hispanic is still a handicap, but nowhere near Muslim, Atheist or LGBT.
Or, at least, people aren't comfortable with admitting they wouldn't vote for a jew anymore.

 

[massoluk]

Feel like he's being bearer of the bad news, not really outright racist.

 

[Puck Beaverton]

Even if it came from prejudiced beliefs he is right.

 

[pgtl_10]

Given two equally experienced candidates, which is the most likely to get votes from the American population, the brown Muslim or the white Christian?

I don't like Realpolitik, especially when it comes to treating minorities, it's too close to accepting a situation without even trying to change it. Endorsing many more diverse candidates, even if many lose, is the best way to make them visible and "normal" to the average voter who is usually only voting for white Christian people.

The other candidate (Jackie Rosen) is Jewish. A rabbi even.