Thread: Obama: Choosing Muslims for Appointments

Choosing Muslims For Appointments
by Gary Bauer
04/03/2009

During the presidential campaign, one of the stickiest rumors surrounding Barack Obama was that if he was elected, America could look forward to having a Muslim in the White House. Now that Obama is president, that rumor may prove correct.

President Obama says he’s a Christian, but that doesn’t mean he won’t appoint Muslims to key positions in his administration in return for Muslim support during the election. Muslim groups are fretting that none have been appointed yet, and they want that to change. Polls showed about nine in 10 American Muslims voted for Obama last fall, and they want something to show for it. Don’t be surprised if Obama gives them what they want.

Politicians usually reward their supporters. But the way they do it -- and just who they reward -- is quite important.

Last weekend, news broke that various “community groupsâ€

[quote]Advocacy groups have every right to send their lists to the White House. It’s standard practice. And the president can pick whomever he wants to fill out his administration. But if Obama’s choices are being made on the basis of identity politics rather than ability and competence, it would mark a clear departure for an administration the media have been telling us is made up of the “best and the brightest.â€