Essam El Erian and Ignorance
Abdel Monem Mahmoud, the active and well respected Muslim Brotherhood Blogger met with Essam El Erian, a political leader of the Muslim Brotherhood just as he was released from Prison on the 9th of October. Abdel Monem discussed many issues with Essam El Erian most importantly of course was the Muslim Brotherhood political platform that was issued while Essam El Erian was held behind bars.
El Erian gave an example of the American Constitution which can not be ruled by a Catholic according to the Customary regulations and rules of the US Constitution and the one time that a Catholic ruled America, and that was Kennedy he was killed 1 and a half years after he became President.
Now I have studied the US Constitution in University and I know of no such Customary regulation or rule, but since Mr. El Erian is an authority on political issues he might be able to guide me to those rules.
More importantly however Mr. El Erian, Kennedy was the President of the United States from the 20th of January 1961 till the 22nd of November 1963. He was President for 2 years and 10 months Mr. El Erian and not 1 and a half years.
It is also worth mentioning that John Kerry, the Democratic Nominee for President in 2004 is Catholic and that Michael Dukakis, the Democratic Nominee for President in 1988 is Greek Orthodox, Al Smith, the Democratic Nominee for President in 1928 was Catholic.
Joe Lieberman, the Democratic Nominee for Vice President in 2000 is Jewish, Geraldine Ferraro, the Democratic Nominee for Vice President in 1984 is Roman Catholic, Sargent Shriver, the Democratic Nominee for Vice President in 1972 is Roman Catholic, Edmund Muskie, the Democratic Nominee for Vice President in 1968 is Catholic.
The 2008 Presidential Elections has Catholic candidates on both Parties. Bill Richardson, the Democratic candidate is Catholic and so are Christopher Dodd and Joe Biden. On the Republican side, Rudy Giuliani, the leading Republican candidate in polls is also Catholic.
Doesn’t look like a customary regulation banning Catholics to me.