JEDDAH, 7 March 2004 — Saudi Arabia will be an issue in this year’s US presidential election campaign, according to a campaign expert, after Democrats accused President George W. Bush of being “soft” on the Kingdom.
Journalists here were taking part in a four-way satellite conference with David Mark, the editor in chief of Campaigns and Elections magazine, a non-partisan monthly publication that covers political consulting and politics.
“(Sen.) John Kerry will use (the subject of Saudi Arabia) in order to attack President Bush” and make him appear “soft on the war on terror,” Mark said.
“Kerry would like to lessen US dependence” on foreign oil “and he would also like to explore alternative sources of energy,” he added.
Mark believes that the November elections are the first since the end of the Cold War where foreign policy is a major issue.
Both Republicans and Democrats are seeking to capitalize on the events of Sept. 11. “The Republican Party will stage their rally on Sept. 11 in New York City, with the intent of reminding people what happened there on that day.”
Rampant rumors of Osama Bin Laden’s capture could also play a role. “Although we are entering the realm of conspiracy, Democrats are worried that the current administration might announce Bin Laden’s capture in October,” expecting a surge in popularity similar to the one following Saddam Hussein’s capture last year.
Mark said both parties are virtually indistinguishable in their approach to Israel. “Both candidates are pro-Israel,” he said, “and both lean more toward diplomacy rather than military interference. I don’t think the Arab-Israeli conflict is going to be a major issue in the upcoming elections unless violence escalates or a major catastrophe takes place.”
