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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Obama, Distancing Himself from Arab-Americans, American Muslims?

    Barack Obama has visited churches and synagogues during his presidential campaign but, so far, he has not been to a mosque. Does his message of unity extend to American Muslims?  Many are not so sure. Would his sympathy for the Palestinians produce more even-handedness in the Middle East? Some Arab Americans don't really think so.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    Barack Obama has visited churches and synagogues during his presidential campaign but, so far, he has not been to a mosque. Does his message of unity extend to American Muslims? Many are not so sure. Would his sympathy for the Palestinians produce more even-handedness in the Middle East? Some Arab Americans don't really think so. A Christian candidate needs to quash rumors that he's a secret Muslim without offending Muslims themselves. While his hard-line support for Israel may appeal to Jews, it could turn off another constituency that's potentially crucial in several states. As Obama goes to the Middle East, we talk about political challenges at home.

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Muslims, Arabs and the Obama Campaign
    1. 1:39Changing Tack, Bush Sends Senior Diplomats to Talk with Iran
    2. 7:47Obama, Distancing Himself from Arab-Americans, American Muslims?You’re reading this
    3. 42:44EPA Calls Global Warming a Significant Health Threat
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Frances Anderton

      architecture critic and author

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • KCRW placeholder

      Andre Carson

      Congressman (D-IN)

    • KCRW placeholder

      Mona Eltahawy

      syndicated columnist

    • KCRW placeholder

      James Zogby

      Arab-American Institute

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Muslims, Arabs and the Obama Campaign
    1. 1:39Changing Tack, Bush Sends Senior Diplomats to Talk with Iran
    2. 7:47Obama, Distancing Himself from Arab-Americans, American Muslims?You’re reading this
    3. 42:44EPA Calls Global Warming a Significant Health Threat
    Back to To the Point