The Arab American News released a statement endorsing Democratic presidential hopeful, Bernie Sanders, ahead of the Michigan primaries today. In an opinion piece last Friday, the Arab American News, a private news organization headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., called for its readers to head to the polls and vote for the "principled" candidate on March, 8.
"Presidents serve for four years, but this presidential election will likely shape the future of the United States for generations to come," the statement says. It calls on readers to take note of how the election will affect the evolution of America, as well as global political issues such as the U.S.'s role in the Middle East peace process, the global refugee crisis, and environmental policy.
The News appealed to its readers "historic opportunity to elect a principled politician who has remained true to his message from the days he was protesting with the civil rights movement to the day he proclaimed himself a democratic socialist on national television while running for president."
Also praised were Sanders' stances on tax reform, development of social justice programs, refusal for campaign funding by "big corporations," public condemnation of Islamophobia, and tuition reform.
In regards to his Mid-East policy the statement says; "Although his views on this issue do not rise to the aspirations of Arab Americans who would like to see Washington take a clear stance against Israel's human rights abuses and occupation of Palestinian land, Sanders' call for ending the blockade on Gaza is a step in the right direction. His condemnation of Israeli attacks that kill Palestinian civilians is unprecedented by any major presidential candidate."
Also acknowledged was the fact that "Sanders is a Jewish American," and that "this newspaper and the community at large do not have a bias against anyone's ethnic or religious affiliation. Ideas are what matters."
To the Arab American News, Sanders stands tall as a true representative of the people, who will not be swayed by Washington lobbyists.
The paper cites a CNN poll predicting Sanders beating Trump (or any other Republican candidate) by several points more than Hillary Clinton. On Clinton, the Arab American News said it did not trust her "interventionist inclinations," criticizing her approach on Libya and Iraq, both of which they say contributed to the rise of terrorist group ISIS.
