John McCain campaign creating fear of Islam

In his address to the Republican National Convention, Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, criticized Democrats for refusing to use the term "Islamic terrorism":

Rudy Giuliani: For four days in Denver, the Democrats were afraid to use the term "Islamic terrorism." I imagine they believe it is politically incorrect to say it. I think they believe they will insult someone. Please tell me, who they are insulting if they say, "Islamic terrorism." They are insulting terrorists!

Not surprisingly, Giuliani also said he wanted Democrats to invoke the 9/11 terrorist attacks more often.

Experts, including those in the Bush administration, disagree. The issue goes beyond just "insulting" someone. Such religious rhetoric is actually counterproductive in combating terrorism:

- Department of Homeland Security: U.S. officials may be "unintentionally portraying terrorists, who lack moral and religious legitimacy, as brave fighters, legitimate soldiers or spokesmen for ordinary Muslims."

- National Counter Terrorism Center: "Avoid labeling everything 'Muslim.' It reinforces the 'U.S. vs. Islam' framework that Al-Qaeda promotes. Be specific (Egyptian, Pakistani) and descriptive (South Asian youth, Arab opinion leaders), where possible."

- Ret. Gen. John Abizaid: "I mean, even adding the word Islamic extremism, or qualifying it to Sunni Islamic extremism, or qualifying it further to Sunni Islamic extermism as exemplified by government such as Bin Laden, all make it very, very difficult [to fight terrorism] because the battle of words is meaningful, especially in the Middle East to people."

- Islamic Society of North America: "If it's not our intent to paint everyone with the same brush, then certainly we should think seriously about just characterizing them as criminals, because that is what they are."

Railing against "Islamic" extremists and terrorists is one of Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) favorite talking points as well. "Senator McCain refers to it that way because that is what it is," campaign adviser Steve Schmidt said in April, defending the rhetoric.

Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts, making similar comments said: "John McCain hit the nail on the head: radical violent Islam is evil, and he will defeat it!" 

In response to these statements Muslim Public Affairs Council stated:

Romney and Giuliani's remarks on Islam served to equate Islam with terrorism. Making false statements only serves to increase the already high rates of violence and bigotry against Muslim Americans.  Our nation faces a very real threat, but bolstering the credibility of would-be terrorists by associating them with any religion is counterproductive to our national security interests.

Riding the ebbing wave of post-9/11 fear mongering in an election season is nothing new. But our presidential candidates must ask themselves whether playing off the ignorance of a few voters worth jeopardizing the American values of pluralism and constitutional democracy?

Source: ThinkProgress.org and MPAC.org