Published: December 16, 2009
Houston, Texas (12-15-2009 - Pakistan Chronicle Report): Comments from M. J. himself: “Dear Friends. I would like to thank you for all of your support throughout this election. While I came up a little short on election night, I am very proud of the effort that was put forth. I would not be where I am today without your efforts and support…I congratulate Councilman Green on his victory and wish him success as he carries the banner for tight fiscal management of the city's finances...Warmest Regards. M. J. Khan; P.E.; MBA (Rice University).”
Response 1: “Dear Friends. Yesterday: Houstonian participated and witnessed a historic election in Houston city. Our own M. J. Khan had a very positive approach to run for city controller. We individually and collectively should be proud of him that he served the Houston City and his District F for 6 years as city councilman with great honor...Finally I want to say May Allah save us from Black sheep’s, who for their own personal interest, can hurt the community in every means.”
Response 2: “Big achievement by M. J. Khan for being a district-level councilman with Republican Party background, to have got around 70,000 in a citywide race. His opponent being an At-Large City Councilperson should have got more votes had he been truly famous. Due to may be less motivation and awareness of our community, there is this 4,000 vote gap; otherwise M. J. would have for sure won the elections. Since he has experience, integrity and courage, I would recommend M. J. to run for Statewide Seat in March 2010 GOP Primaries or any other office in the future.”
Response 3: “It is unfortunate that Mr. Khan has lost. However, one of the things any candidate needs to keep in mind is to court the voters from the beginning, not just in times of need…Things for example like a newsletter wishing Eid Mubarak every year and telling what the candidate has done for the community; if community is not aware what anyone has done, why will they bother to vote…Yes: You should definitely vet someone for the upcoming positions. Also, make sure that person is active and portraying an active role...For example, if they served dinner at George R. Brown on Thanksgiving Day, that shows a compassionate and an active candidate for the Muslims and the American community…The candidate should reach out to Muslims, but also Muslim in America…Jazakallah Khair and best wishes to the next candidate.”
Response 4: “Two weeks before the elections, I had luncheon with some Pakistanis: They were all against M. J. Khan. I tried to change their mind for the sake of the community, but did not succeed…Then we all know how Pakistani community openly worked to have Bobby Jindal loose Governor’s election in the neighboring Louisiana; so within the South Asian community, that was another weakness, as many Indians did not want Masrur to win…As a real leader, M. J. should have become unifying force within the community, but somehow he failed to become that true leader. For instance African-American Community was much more united in voting for Ron Green, while many politically active persons from Pakistani, Muslim and Indian communities were in fact working against M. J…His campaign strategy was extensive use of electronic media near the election days, but failed to realize that without strong grassroots level support & unified community at home, victory is not possible.”
Response 5: “Grass roots lacking. Didn't set up grass root system thru Masajids…Relied on other people to do his part. Didn't set-up mini campaign offices in different locations across Houston. Should have copied the Clear Lake set-up. No E-Mail campaign with issues to ordinary voters like Obama had done. Too much emphasis on money, while Money and Votes are equally important…Didn't rally on Middle-Eastern, Indian and African Voters…Weak Political Advisors. Yes-men around.”
Response 6: “A capable candidate is not necessarily who has campaign money to spend. I think a capable candidate in America is one, who sounds American, talks American and walks American, and above all, thinks American. Most people in Houston politics belong to the 'old guard' (a generation to which I belong too). This generation migrated from places like India, Pakistan, Palestine and Egypt. When we boarded the bus, we brought along a lot of baggage, including garbage. After landing on this soil, we kept trying to plant our garbage here…It was very disappointing to see our elected representative to the Houston Council demonstrate on behalf of a Pakistani political party. If he represents a Pakistani political party, then he cannot represent American voters, including myself...Please clear the way for those youth who were born here or grew up here. They do not have third world country baggage. They know the problems here. It is more likely that the local voter (non South Asian) will relate to someone who does not sound like Appu…Support someone, who rolled up their sleeves and passed out water during Ike, or put their weight behind protecting the rights of Muslim in Houston, or set up homeless shelters for this community, or educated the community against domestic violence. Someone who is right now an Amana volunteer, passing food and clothing to Muslim refugees, someone who is volunteering in a free clinic…We should elect people who do not want to be elected. They should be people the voters want to elect…Should we groom them? No thank you. In all honesty, we do not have the skills and the capability to groom good candidates…Let the system groom them and when they are ready to step in, we can support them. In the mean time, let us vote for Mr. Green.”
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