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What are the lessons of the Abdurahman Alamoudi case?
National Review, August 23, 2004
* What are the lessons of the Abdurahman Alamoudi case? Alamoudi is the former head of the American Muslim Council, a man who once had entree to top political circles in Washington. In early 1999, Alamoudi gave $10,000--and loaned $10,000 more--to the Islamic Institute, the group founded by conservative activist Grover Norquist as part of an effort to bring more Muslim voters to the Republican party.
Alamoudi's top deputy ran the new institute. But the next year, the institute was embarrassed when Alamoudi attended a demonstration in front of the White House and yelled to the crowd, "Anybody's a supporter of Hamas here? Hear that, Bill Clinton? We are all supporters of Hamas.... I am also a supporter of Hezbollah." The institute says it disassociated itself from Alamoudi after those remarks, but Alamoudi and his group remained welcome in some political circles. Now, however, he has pleaded guilty to playing a key role in a Libyan conspiracy to assassinate Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah. Alamoudi admitted accepting $1 million from the Libyan government meant for the plot's main players. The lesson for Republicans, and indeed everyone in politics? There's a war going on. Be careful whom you associate with--even if your caution might cost you a few votes.
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