Politics

Muslim Rep. Keith Ellison to Herman Cain: ‘Review that Pledge of Allegiance’

Jeff Poor Media Reporter
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Over the past few weeks, former Godfather’s Pizza CEO and 2012 Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has been outspoken about the role of Muslims in the federal government, particularly how they would fit in his administration, but not without taking some sort of loyalty oath.

On MSNBC on Wednesday, Minnesota Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison, a Muslim, responded to Cain’s statements on Islam. According to Ellison, what Cain alleges about a risk of Muslims in his cabinet is true for any religious group.

“Well, you got violent Christians and good Christians,” he said. “You got violent Jews and good Jews. You got people of all — what he said about Muslims is true for every community. So it’s absurd that he would make a distinction when it comes to Muslims. Look, Mr. Cain has made a lot of statements about his hostility toward the Muslim community. Now trying to backtrack but not doing a good job of it.”

Ellison offered some advice for Cain – to review the Pledge of Allegiance and what it means in terms of inclusiveness.

“I would ask him to say look, the Pledge of Allegiance said ‘and liberty and justice for all.’ ‘All’ means all and doesn’t mean ‘except one group or another.’ I would ask Herman Cain to review that Pledge of Allegiance he swears when he gets up.”