Second Muslim Elected To Congress

Andre Carson, Grandson Of Late Rep. Julia Carson, Wins Special Election In Indiana

(AP)  Democrat Andre Carson won't have much time to bask in his special election victory. In just eight weeks, he faces another vote for the same congressional seat.

Carson, who on Tuesday won the office formerly held by his late grandmother and became the second Muslim ever elected to Congress, will face seven challengers in the May 6 Democratic primary for a full two-year term.

"We have to hit the ground running because the future is ours," Carson said in his victory speech Tuesday night at a downtown Indianapolis hotel.

In other results Tuesday, voters in Mississippi chose candidates for two rare open congressional seats.

Former state Sen. Charlie Ross and attorney Gregg Harper advanced to a Republican primary runoff in Mississippi's 3rd District, which stretches from Oktibbeha County in the north to Adams and Wilkinson counties in the southwest. The winner will face Democrat Joel Gill.

Prentiss County Chancery Clerk Travis Childers and state Rep. Steve Holland were headed for a runoff in the Democratic primary in northern Mississippi's 1st District. On the GOP side, former Tennessee Valley Authority chairman Glenn McCullough and Southaven Mayor Greg Davis also were headed to a runoff.

The runoffs will be April 1.

In Indiana, Carson had 54 percent of the vote compared with 43 percent for Republican Jon Elrod. Carson finished with a 9,000-vote edge out of nearly 85,000 votes cast.

Carson, 33, received congratulatory phone calls from Democratic presidential contenders Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

One of his top priorities, he said, would be ending the war in Iraq. "We need to bring our men and women back home and end this useless war," Carson said.

Carson will represent the 7th District, which covers most of Indianapolis, for the remainder of the year. The district's voters will next select candidates for the November election to a full two-year term for the congressional seat.

If Carson wins on May 6, he may again face Elrod, who is a candidate in the GOP primary, along with two political unknowns.

Julia Carson, Carson's grandmother, a Democrat who first won election to Congress in 1996 and died in December, was the first black to represent Indianapolis in Congress — from a district that is nearly two-thirds white.

"We really wish the congresswoman was here. She is here — in us," Carson told supporters.

Carson, whose grandmother raised him in a Baptist church, converted to Islam more than a decade ago and will join Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., as the only Muslims in Congress. His religious identity has drawn little attention during the campaign, and Carson says he doesn't believe it hurts him politically.

"I'm a proud Hoosier," Carson said after his speech Tuesday night. "I'm an Indy 500 Hoosier, I'm a Covered Bridge Festival Hoosier, I'm a Black Expo Hoosier, I'm a state fair Hoosier. I just happen to be a Hoosier of the Muslim faith."

[brianbwb-2009]

"Carson will join Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., as the only Muslims in Congress. His religious identity has drawn little attention during the campaign, and Carson said he doesn''t believe it hurts him politically."

The fact that he was elected, suggests that the voters can see through the anti Islamic fear mongering, so my question is why does AP and CBS news choose to highlight this aspect of the story?

Responsible journalism, or still trying to help Bush commit genocide?

[irliberal]

I''m amazed that religious belief doesn''t disqualify you for office. It should in my book.

Despite all evidence to the contrary or lack of any evidence at all, I believe the world was created in six days (Christianity), that there will be a gaggle of virgins for me to exploit in heaven if I''m good on earth (Islam), and I will be my own god and rule over planets of my followers if Im a good (Mormon/mormonism).

All this ridiculousness and yet a majority of the population goes for it like its a *QUALIFICATION*. Amazingly absurd. In my book it means you''re at least partially delusional.

[andor3]

If you know anything about Indiana politics (Indiana is always the first state called in the Presidential election and always for the Republicans)...

This shows huge trouble for the Republicans in November

[pelosisaho2]

Another victicrat with a slave mentality elected. Funny how many of these Blacks will turn on Jews who kept them alive with door deliveries, who stood by them, and who died with them in Mississippi, but will grovel towards those who slaved them.

Not to mention join up with the Racists of the Democratic Party.

Ellison, Obama, and now Carson - well, I''m quite sure Senator Byrd and Jimmy Carter, elected on Klan votes, will gladly invite the new house servants to the table. And I''m quite sure Hamas and their friends in MoveOn.Org will cut a nice, fat check for the grovellers.

James Cheney is turning over in his grave.

[pelosisaho2]

Don''t forget, Mr. Carson, to cast a slur at Abe Lincoln ala Obama while place your flowers at the foot of the Nathan Bedford Forrest statue. After all, that is about your speed, isn''t it, plantation slave?

A Black who joins the Muslim faith is no better than one who grovels to the Massa (like Byrd, Carter, Lester Maddox, Woody Wilson) when dem boys in the dey white sheets comes-a-calling.

[tasmhs]

The more troubling loss for the GOP was losing former Speaker Hastert''s seat in a special election. That is a very bad sign of things to come in what I think is going to be a disastrously bad year to be a Republican. Indiana 7 is a Democrat district in a Republican State. If McCain can''t win Indiana, he can''t win anywhere.

[rudy654-2009]

Posted by Pelosisaho2 at 02:38 AM

Yaaawwwhnnnnn!

[andrew_693]

a few more months and the christian fascists will be out of power and this country will be free like our forefathers wanted. No more traitors to run the country.

[andrew_693]

That is two fu*cking Muslims too many.
The last thing we need is this cult of death slowly but surely creeping into our political mainstream.
www.jihadwatch.org

Posted by michaelt302 at 01:48 AM : Mar 12, 2008




Above, we have the stupid comment of the day. A republidiot ranting against muslims, when the bush administration has brought more muslims as refugees from iraq to the US in all of our history.

[brianbwb-2009]

"The fact that he was elected, suggests that the voters can see through the anti Islamic fear mongering, so my question is why does AP and CBS news choose to highlight this aspect of the story?
Responsible journalism, or still trying to help Bush commit genocide?" Posted by brianbwb

I get it now, CBS just wanted to see how many ignorant, racist, religious-intolerant, barely educated trolls would respond, and it appears from many of the posts here, that there are still a few knuckle dragging death worshipers polluting the earth.

[antizion]

Some of our best citizens are Muslim. The Jews that control the media and everything else in the US don''t like the competition.

What do I care what someones religion is. It is the Jews and Christians that are killing everyone around the world including our own soldiers in Iraq.

I say we need MORE Muslins. A lot more so we can be peaceful like Iran.

[fibonacci_]

AntiZion, I disagree. I think it is the Jews, Christians and Muslims that are killing people around the world. Why leave them out?

[jjp735i]

I can hear the Republican stump speech now: Muslims are taking over our government.

The scary part is many people with a Jerry Springer guest mentality will by into it. What ever happened to the educated people in America?

[mcvet]

Only the Democrats, with their Ga-yes, their draft dodgers, their traitors,their perverts and of course THEIR Racists would open their doors to Black Muslims of the Louie Farrakhan variety. Speaks volumes about their tolerance, or better yet, their willingness to confront Islamofascism.

They''''ll confront it all right. By electing victicrats and house servants like Carson, Ellison and Obama.

The Democratic Party - where only the Klan and the Black Muslims are allied - against Jews, against Christians, against America, and against those willing to smash terrorism, NOT appease it.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Pelosisaho2 at 02:38 AM : Mar 12, 2008
+ report abuse

What about the word REPRESENTATIVE can''t you fascist understand. It seems that ONLY those who believe as you do, ONLY those who support the "Party" have rights. Other than that no one has the right to run for office or belong to the Political Party that''s been here as long as our Country has! Strange people, these Nazi''s, very strange indeed! Sieg Heil Bush

[juwboy]

Aunty Zion:

Jews control America, according to you, despite being out-numbered by about 50-to-1.

If that''s the case, why aren''t limp-wristed, c@cks@cking Gentile-Americans, like yourself, controlling America?

In fact, why should anyone pay any attention to anything you write when you keep claiming that water can be used as a substitute for gasoline if it''s been electrically-charged?

You weren''t fired by your Jewish former employer because you''re a Goy.

You were fired because you have pschitt for brains!

[cfin5]

Democrat huh? Who''d a thunkt it. Just wait till there are lots of them,....to then show their true attitude.

[oleander8]

It is irresponsible of CBS to make this mans religion the focus of his story. If you have to be religious it should be private - I know I don''t want to hear about it.

[samrensho]

Ah oh, they''re takin'' over. There goes the neighborhood. Minarets on capitol hill any time now.

[olebd]

Louis Farakhan must be so proud, smiling wide. Next up, Obama! Then the Muslims will take it to the streets, demanding implementation of their customs and beliefs. I wouldn''t have believed this would be happening just a few short years ago. Embrace the enemy so they can come at you from behind while your eyes are closed.

[mike71067]

It''s the beginning of the end. Islam is the fastest-growing religion in America now. It''s only a matter of time before God has no use for US anymore.

[mike71067]

"Religion will divide America as nothing else. GET RELIGION OUT OF GOVERNMENT."
-Posted by jmcgilvray at 07:37 AM : Mar 12, 2008

Hate to shock you, but religion will ALWAYS be part of government and part of people''s lives. Secular humanism IS a religion, and was recognized as such by the U.S. Supreme Court. A completely secular government would be a religious government, and a very dangerous one at that.

[displeased]

It is irresponsible of CBS to make this mans religion the focus of his story. If you have to be religious it should be private - I know I don''''t want to hear about it.
Posted by oleander8

I agree. The only people concerned about this story are the other religious christian nutcases of America. Their delusions and intolerance drives them to fear and hatred.

[pensacola88]

I am totally cool with the Rep. Andre Carson''s successful win. He replaced his grandmother and will run again in 8 weeks.

I hope he follows his grandmother''s legacy that teaches that Muslim followers are just like us. We are not any different than they are and confront our challenges in very similar ways.

The anti-Muslim views expressed and tolerated recently are ugly and not justified.

If Muslim religion was so bad, then how did his grandmother serve a public office? She was a citizen of this nation and lived up to her potential as a person...far more than some who post comments on this web page.

It''s time for some readers to seek a trusted person and empower them to open their mind wider, not a traditional evangelist who closes minds tighter.

[grumpas]

Hate to shock you, but religion will ALWAYS be part of government and part of people''''s lives. Secular humanism IS a religion, and was recognized as such by the U.S. Supreme Court. A completely secular government would be a religious government, and a very dangerous one at that.

Posted by mike71067

To a point religion has been in government yes! But, never like it has since George W Bush came into office. I personally am sick to death of hearing about his religion. If I remember JFK had to promise the Pope wouldn''t be running the country! It''s too bad no one made Bush promise Jerry Falwell wouldn''t be running it. It''s always been in the background of our lives. Something that you had to have in order to get elected to office. But, it hasn''t run the country like it does now! I am like the guy who said it''s time to get religion out of Government. Put it back where it belongs in the foreground. It''s become a major problem that''s only getting worse.

[mike71067]

"The only people concerned about this story are the other religious christian nutcases of America. Their delusions and intolerance drives them to fear and hatred."
-Posted by Displeased at 08:58 AM : Mar 12, 2008

Not to shock you, but I have co-workers who are not Christian who are uncomfortable with Muslims in elected office in the U.S. Your "religious christian nutcases" comment underscores the same "intolerance" that you pretend to be against. You''re a hypocrite, like most anti-Christians.

[mike71067]

"But, it hasn''t run the country like it does now! I am like the guy who said it''s time to get religion out of Government. Put it back where it belongs in the foreground. It''s become a major problem that''s only getting worse."
-Posted by grumpas at 09:11 AM : Mar 12, 2008

You want a secular government. Again, secular humanism IS a religion, and has been recognized as such by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1960''s. What you really want is to get Christianity out of politics. You want to replace people of faith with people of no faith. That is dangerous.

[displeased]

Not to shock you, but I have co-workers who are not Christian who are uncomfortable with Muslims in elected office in the U.S.
Posted by Displeased

Why are they uncomfortable with muslims but not other religions? Do they fear muslims are taking over the world as singinrick does?

[displeased]

Your "religious christian nutcases" comment underscores the same "intolerance" that you pretend to be against. You''''re a hypocrite, like most anti-Christians.
Posted by mike71067

Yup, you''re right. I don''t tolerate intolerance very well. I don''t care who''s in office as long as they maintain separation of church and state.

[displeased]

-Apparently you''''ve been hiding underneath a rock since 9-11-01. That''''s all I can think of...
Posted by singinrick

As I said, FEAR. So let me get this straight, since there are a few radical Islams out there who distort their religion and use it to justify killing, we should fear all muslims. I''m probably wrong since I''m not a religious expert, but I was under the impression OBL didn''t attack us to spread Islam, but he attacked because of our foreign policy and politics. In particular, our presence in Saudi Arabia and our support of Israel.

[displeased]

Your logic is way out there.
Posted by singinrick

My logic is it''s no big deal having this person in office. You people keep living in fear.

[gangesdak]

logical aftermath of 911- increase of Muslims in public office. After fear comes embrace, perhaps with a tinge of embarrassment! If Obama is elected President, more Muslims will be elected too.

[mike71067]

"My logic is it''''s no big deal having this person in office. You people keep living in fear."
-Posted by Displeased at 09:46 AM : Mar 12, 2008

Of course you have no problem with this person in office. It''s just one person. That, however, is not the problem - the problem is that this one person is a sympton of a much larger issue. You would probably be stunned if the U.S. Government one day told us that U.S. policies will from now on be based on Islamic law. We would all be shocked. But you wouldn''t even notice if we elected a Muslim here and there - it wouldn''t even show up on the radar.

Add this to the fact that Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the United States. I''ll let you figure out the rest.

[quetzal0666]

so ricky,
Muslims should not run for Office in the U.S.
?

[homespunlady]

I see the "Christian Zionists" are out in FULL FEAR MODE today. BE AFRAID!!! "THEY" ARE GONNA GETCHA!!! "THOSE PEOPLE" ARE OUT TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!!!!

BOOGA, BOOGA, BOOGA, These FEAR-MONGERS DON''T KNOW when to give up their BIGOTRY!!!
First it''s "those darkies" DESERVE to be slaves.
Then it''s "those ******" are too "inferior" to vote.
Now these misbegotten KKKlan followers think "those (black) Muslims are gonna "take over our country and rule our wimmin"!!!

GIVE ME A BREAK JERKS!

I''ve about had enough of your hate mongering, lynching loving, scatological, hypocritical STUPIDITY!!

Our nation is GOING DOWN NOT from some religious group but from hypocritical BIGOTS that are willing to TEAR UP THE CONSTITUTION rather than accept people that "are not like us".

Enjoy your trailer trash POVERTY that GEORGE has lined you up for - just DON''T SPEW your DISCRIMINATION in front of me.

[rowdytexan2]

I''''''''m probably wrong since I''''''''m not a religious expert, but I was under the impression OBL didn''''''''t attack us to spread Islam, but he attacked because of our foreign policy and politics
posted by Displeased

Exactly! If in fact, it was Al Queda that attacked us it was exactly that! A message to get out of the Middle East and stop your efforts to incorporate it and steal their resources!

Those attacking were hired mercenaries, using their religion as a front!

[parrot2ok]

This was something i''d come across awhile back -

Richard Mottram, who recently retired from his post as a british adviser on intelligence and security said "What we shouldn''t do is play into al Qaeda''s hands by exaggerating the extent and nature of the threat they present globally," Mottram was quoted by The Observer newspaper as saying. "This focus is not smart when it comes to dealing with people who are trying to make us think that they are the greatest threat," he told the paper , focusing too tightly on the terrorist movement risked underplaying other important threats such as climate change or a possible flu pandemic, a British newspaper reported.

Rick, i think the biggest issue people have with you on these boards is you''re Religious enough to know the truth about the gospels but Intolerant enough not to live by them ..... In one breadth, you''d talk about Radical Islam and in the next Muslims - without pointing out that they''re different and not the same. Our Religion also went through it''s phase of conquering nations and taking their lands and people but you don''t see any learned people using that history or those passages in the Bible to generalise Christians ..... I''ve always held out the hope that you''d become a better person - Politics is not the World, there''s other issues that matter and these Muslims are not the problem - We are our own worst enemies. Cheers!

[lilvinnyb]

If you want to know how radical Muslims feel about the US, just read their OWN WORDS.

In a cave in Afghanistan, they found the Al''Queda manual with a sentence that said "Destroy their places of entertainment and sin". In that same cave they found videotapes of DisneyLand.

This has nothing to do with Politics. The fact is there are muslim extremeists who WANT to spread their version of their religion all over the world and see the United States as standing in the way.

Problem is, there are people in the U.S who simply refuse to be believe it... thats what scares me.

I have not problem with a Muslim in congress so long at their faith does not trump their obligation to the constitution. One obligation is to "protect and defend" the United States of America.

Who will they side with in a War?

[parrot2ok]

Exactly! If in fact, it was Al Queda that attacked us it was exactly that! A message to get out of the Middle East and stop your efforts to incorporate it and steal their resources!
Those attacking were hired mercenaries, using their religion as a front!
Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 10:19 AM : Mar 12, 2008

Using their Religion as a basis and a common ground to assemble, imbibe and indoctrinate their theories and project their hate (usually their insanity) .... When you look at groups like the KKK, you realise religion can be used in anyway too. Cheers!

[parrot2ok]

I have not problem with a Muslim in congress so long at their faith does not trump their obligation to the constitution. One obligation is to "protect and defend" the United States of America.

Who will they side with in a War?
Posted by lilvinnyb at 10:20 AM : Mar 12, 2008

I wish you''d demand the same from the present day Repugs ..... Think about that a second.

[sgtrds]

Who cares if they''re Muslim? What I''m waiting for is the first avowed atheist to be elected to office.

[taddles-2009]

"Problem is, there are people in the U.S who simply refuse to be believe it... thats what scares me.

I have not problem with a Muslim in congress so long at their faith does not trump their obligation to the constitution. One obligation is to "protect and defend" the United States of America.

Who will they side with in a War?


Posted by lilvinnyb at 10:20 AM : Mar 12, 2008"


Everyone believes and understands that there are Muslims who wish us harm, that''s obvious. What you seem not to be able to understand is that there are millions of Muslims who do not.

Your question regarding the Muslim Legislators loyalties is the same kind of xenophobic paranoia that was used to justify illegal incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII.

[jwind11]

Those attacking were hired mercenaries, using their religion as a front!


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Posted by RowdyTexan2 at 10:19 AM : Mar 12, 2008

wow! and they didnt hate us until bush became president right?

[quetzal0666]

I don''''t come here to gain the appeasement from liberals who post here, I come here to stand up for what I believe in boldly, and if you don''''t like it, oh well, it''''s a free country, so sorry about your luck ....

yesterday you were exposed as a liar, and not very christianlike by a much more superior intelect and one versed in scripture...

coming back for onother spanking?

[parrot2ok]

What''''s not being tolerated here is the likes of you and others on here who cannot stand that there are still people like me who will boldly stand up for our faith no matter what the repercussions.

You have no idea who I am. I am a Christian. This means I believe in freedom. Our country was founded Christian principlese that have given us our freedoms (Galatians 5:1)

The reason the "people" you have mentioned have an "issue" with me is because 90% of the posters on these boards are secularist liberals, the exact opposite of my beliefs.

I don''''t come here to gain the appeasement from liberals who post here, I come here to stand up for what I believe in boldly, and if you don''''t like it, oh well, it''''s a free country, so sorry about your luck
Posted by singinrick at 10:33 AM : Mar 12, 2008

You don''t achieve anything good with lies - which you''re implying are just your opinion but which you''re sharing on these boards with a political agenda ...... Being Republican should not infer with you being a Christian - I wonder what your muslim friends'' opinion would be when he reads about how bad muslims are and how they are out to get us - something you know is a BIG FAT LIE. I''m christian too and not ashamed of it - i also know enough that the few radical elements is what Dumbya should be going after and not ethnically cleansing out Iraq - within view of striking Iran - especially when our enemies are still alive. Cheers!

[displeased]

This means I believe in freedom.
Posted by singinrick

Yes rick, it''s quite obvious you believe in freedom, if you''re a non-muslim.

And by the way, you are religious, to the extreme. Do I need to post the definition again?

[abbe91]

"I have not problem with a Muslim in congress so long at their faith does not trump their obligation to the constitution. One obligation is to "protect and defend" the United States of America.
Posted by lilvinnyb at 10:20 AM : Mar 12, 2008"

I agree. I also have no problem with a Christian in congress so long at their faith does not trump their obligation to the constitution.

Same thing with the White House. Let''s hope that the next president''s faith will not trump his obligation to the constitution, whatever faith it is about : faith in corporate friends, faith in oil, faith in male prostitutes (Jeff Gannon), ...

[taddles-2009]

"That''''s why the Crusades and Inquisitions were headed by the Roman Catholic Church, NOT Christians.

Posted by singinrick at 10:38 AM : Mar 12, 2008"


The Roman Catholic Church isn''t Christian?!? Bet that''s news to the Roman Catholics.

[parrot2ok]

The Roman Catholic Church mixed pagan beliefs with true Christianity at their founding, roughly 300 years after Christ was on earth.
TRUE Christianity is defined in the Gospels and the Bible. NOT the Roman Catholic church and NOT "religion".
And I am not going to give the pleasure of that today to all the secularist anti-Christian posters who flood these boards every day.
I''''ve said my peace, so suck it up and deal with it.
Posted by singinrick at 10:38 AM : Mar 12, 2008

For a long time - Catholics were the only christians - even though i''m not catholic, i can truthfully admit that .... i found this post very interesting awhile back by B-easy63 - Enjoy :

"Truth in the matter of religion, is simply the opinion which has survived" Oscar Wilde
Religion is nothing more than man''''s attempt to harness, manage and exploit God for their own ends. It has less to do with belief and more to do with power and control of any population, yet to cloak it in "righteousness" which is of course the opinions of the adherents as opposed to the false and profane opinions of others who believe differently.

[taddles-2009]

"wow! and they didnt hate us until bush became president right?

Posted by jwind11 at 10:41 AM : Mar 12, 2008"


We were essentially allied with the Mujahadin in a proxy war with Russia dduring most of the 80''s. They were being led by Osama Bin Laden and others of like mind. He and his following never really had an issue with the US until we built bases in Saudi Arabia and "insulted Islam" as he would put it. That was during Bush I''s presidency so in short...yes, they didn''t hate us until Bush became president.

[parrot2ok]

And I am not going to give the pleasure of that today to all the secularist anti-Christian posters who flood these boards every day.

I''''ve said my peace, so suck it up and deal with it.
Posted by singinrick at 10:38 AM : Mar 12, 2008

So much Anger ! - i would keep you in my prayers. Cheers!