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Ilhan Omar’s Close Call Latest Sign of the Crime Driven Revolt Against Democrats

Posted on Friday, August 12, 2022
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by Daniel Berman
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84 Comments
Ilhan Omar

AMAC Exclusive – By Daniel Berman

In the Minnesota Democratic primary on Tuesday, Don Samuels, a former Minneapolis city councilor who struggled to fundraise, nearly delivered the upset of the year when he came within a whisker of ousting high-profile “Squad” member Representative Ilhan Omar, losing by the razor-tight margin of 50.3%-48.2%. While it may seem easy to ascribe the result to local factors and Omar’s “controversial” record, it makes more sense to place the result within a wider context of urban politics. 2021-2022 has seen a revolt in the bluest of American cities against far-left politics, especially when it comes to the fields of crime and education – two areas where Omar fares particularly poorly.

Ilhan Omar is an unexpectedly unifying figure in American politics. In public, Republicans denounce her advocacy for far-left causes, abrasive personality, and attacks on American allies, while Democrats, often unable to rebut those charges on substance, resort to implying that racial or religious motives lay behind Republican criticisms. In private, however, Democrats despair of the embarrassment she causes, while Republicans find her presence a godsend, a posterchild to be waved around the country whenever local Democrats try to break with the increasingly radical image of the national party.

What unites Republicans and Democrats is that almost no one believed there was anything that could be done about Omar. She represents a district Biden won by a margin of 80%-17% in 2020, and she won her primary two years ago against a centrist who raised more than $3.2 million by a margin of 18%. Unsurprisingly, no one gave Samuels much of a chance. Yet now, it seems clear that had Samuels received a fraction of the funding Omar’s opponents in 2020 received, Omar would be on her way to being a former congresswoman.

While many where shocked at the close race, contests in other deep-blue areas recently have foreshadowed such a result. Seattle elected a former Republican candidate for Lt. Governor as City Attorney last fall. New York City rejected a series of progressive candidates in favor of an African American former police officer for Mayor. San Francisco first recalled three school board members and then the District Attorney. Now it looks like Los Angeles may follow suit and oust far-left prosecutor George Gascon.

It is worth noting how these revolts have taken place. Republicans are not viable electorally in almost any of these cities. The revolt has therefore taken place either through recalls, non-partisan local elections, or within Democratic primaries. Equally importantly, it has often manifested as a class and racial revolt, pitting working class African American, Latino, and Asian American voters concerned about crime and education against “woke” white professionals.

Minneapolis, where Omar’s district lays, was ground-zero for riots and chaos in the summer of 2020, and those internal divisions lasted, pitting the Mayor Jacob Frey, a liberal, against far-left police abolitionists and members of the City Council who insisted he further defund the police. Given the chaos, it is easy to see why Minneapolis would be ripe for the same sort of revolt against the far-left witnessed in cities across the country.

It is also easy to see why Samuels gained traction. Samuels does not look like Omar’s historical opponents, who were often wealthy, white, female attorneys or professional politicians who tried to win by mobilizing traditional white liberals, only to discover that their neighbors had gone “woke,” while their candidacies also failed to attract non-whites. Samuels, by contrast, is black, a self-made immigrant who arrived from Jamaica at age 20. He founded his own toy company before entering politics, where he established a reputation on the city council as a maverick, a very different kind of politician from Omar. While he was outspoken, sometimes in racial terms about what he felt was the under-funding and under-education of young black students in the Minneapolis schools, he was a fierce defender of the police force, and in fact sued Mayor Frey for failing to fund the police force at the constitutionally mandated level in 2020. (Frey, for what it is worth, nonetheless endorsed Samuels over Omar.)

The irony of the election, as noted by the Times of Israel, is that Omar’s traditional opponents, the Pro-Israel lobby, did not get involved at all on Samuels’ behalf. They wrote him off, as did much of the beltway media, which only looked at how Omar failed the country on the national stage rather than how she was failing her community. Oddly, it was alternative left-wing outlets which reported on how Omar was recently booed at a meeting of the local Somali community, or how activists felt she was using her position in Congress to advance the interests of her clan within Somalia.

Omar’s close call is a warning to both Democrats and Republicans. For Democrats, it reinforces how little they have been listening to the groups they ostensibly represent, and that those voters are in turn deeply unhappy. For Republicans, it indicates that there is a path forward even in the most inhospitable terrain, but that the reasons local voters may object to the far-left are often different from why Republicans do. Omar’s greatest weakness was not Israel, but that she was seen as failing her community. And angry rhetoric and accusations of racism were not substitutes for cops on the streets, public safety, or responding to those concerns.

Culture War issues mattered, but they mattered in that voters in Minneapolis saw Omar’s focus on them as coming at the exclusion of the issues they cared about: public safety, education, and jobs. Similarly, Republicans are having enormous success with framing Democrats as obsessed with CRT and abortion, but the most damaging charges, which cut across ideological lines, are that Democrats are more concerned with the pronouns on the name-tags of government employees than they are with the price of gas, or whether 911-calls are answered in reasonable time. Recognizing this will help ensure not just a Red Wave but a Red Tsunami in November. And while Ilhan Omar might survive this year, it seems her days are numbered. Don’t be surprised if she hangs it up for some sort of media role.

Daniel Berman is a frequent commentator and lecturer on foreign policy and political affairs, both nationally and internationally. He holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the London School of Economics. He also writes as Daniel Roman.         

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Bill on the Hill
Bill on the Hill
1 year ago

Much to my surprise, no mention on what O’Keefe of project Veritas found on Omar’s way of getting the vote last time around, she cheated… A direct correlation to the nation she left, i.e. Somalia to come to America & utilize those same tactics the overlords of her former country used to get themselves elected & reelected… The Jamaican, Mr. Samuel’s close vote counts is NOT good enough, what did Omar do this time around to garner those extra votes, just enough to win the race?
Better luck next time does NOT cut it. Ilhan Omar should have been booted out of office after the last fraudulent election she concocted by going door to door on the 40,000 plus Somalians living in those high rise apartments & filling out their ballots for them, what a nice lady for taking the time to do this for them…
Bill… :~)

Ty
Ty
1 year ago

First bill to get passed in November 2022 should be the American Governance Amendment.1. No person shall be allowed to run for any elected federal office over the age of 72.2. No person shall be allowed to hold any elected federal office for more than two (2) consecutive terms.3. Only citizens, born in the United States, can hold an elected federal office.

Jeanette
Jeanette
1 year ago

I don’t usually comment about this traitor..but if all who voted in the primary for her challenger..would get him on the ballot for November and encourage others to do the same; we can say goodbye to her…but be aware that she is well connected and even tho she may not win…she should be watched…she is sneaky.

Bob
Bob
1 year ago

All you commenters have missed the point. She does NOT represent America, not MN, nor anyone who is NOT Somali. She represents the massive Somali population in MN, period. There is another massive population of Somali’s in Columbus, OH and there is a huge push by the Democrats to install, err, “elect” a Somali as a Representative. The Somali’s do not want to assimilate. They drop their prayer mats in the middle of the grocery store aisle, the Menard’s aisle, the parking space next to their new Toyota Sienna and pray to their false god.
With the current resident of the White House in semi-power, and the recent chatter in the Middle East, it is again a very disconcerting time for our nation. Islam is coming to a city, town, hamlet, near you! It will not be pretty!

Sean Richman
Sean Richman
1 year ago

This disgusting entity is the worse of the worthless.If”IT”hates AMERICA and her friends that bad,deal with it,or get your lazy butt to someplace that just maybe will put up with you.

pat dipalma
pat dipalma
1 year ago

with such a narrow margin, her opponent should not be giving up. he can be a write in in Nov. we need her to retire in Jan!!!

Marie Langley
Marie Langley
1 year ago

How can any voter vote for a person to serve America in Congress when all she does is trash the United States every chance she gets? Are these people really that stupid? It’s mind boggling. She needs to go back where she came from if she thinks it’s so bad here. See ya!!!!!!!

CB
CB
1 year ago

She and the rest of the squad are lower than dinosaur dung on the evolutionary chain. And no sandy I don’t want in your pants.

John
John
1 year ago

This woman reminds me of filth.

Pat
Pat
1 year ago

Unfortunately many young think like her. Republicans need to open their eyes and pay attention to the millennial and younger. Their thinking is not the same as older folks, their attachment and dedication to America is not there. Something Democrats are well aware of. Be prepared.

Delly
Delly
1 year ago

Wondering if the Republican running against her would have a chance given the change of environment of Democrat politics, with her as a progressive in decline.

JEFFREY JONES
JEFFREY JONES
1 year ago

ALL THE FOLKS INVOLVED IN THE RAID ON PRESIDENT TRUMPS’ PRIVATE RESIDENCE SHOULD BE ARRESTED, TRIED, AND EXECUTED FOR TREASON!!!

Mary Robinson
Mary Robinson
1 year ago

Your headline gives the impression that the revolt is a criminal action. Other headlines are also misleading.

Irishgal
Irishgal
1 year ago

I wonder if she cheated again. Project Veritas has the 2020 video implicating her in $ballot harvesting. What to stop her from doing again??? How many other demos have done, will again- knowing they will gt away with it? (allegedly) AG Ellsion was made aware, and declined to look into. Why would he, didn’t he and his son admit proudly that they are antifa members? His son being on city council swaying others? MN- it seems no one cares/concerned enough, or are ‘corrupted’ to not look into our elections let alone clean up voter rolls etc. I remember reading many stories of poll workers who were concerned and even pointed out that they had no choice but to register people the day of voting even though they pretty much knew that person was doing so fraudulently’. Faked birthdates, etc. The attack ads I have seen so far against repub. candidates once again, are over exagerated, facts missing or just outright lies. It will be a miracle if Ms. Davis (cicely) wins over Omar. While I am not thrilled about Jensen, he is 30,000X’s better than Wrecking Walz for sure. If need be, I hope he calls for audit if he can?

Elaine
Elaine
1 year ago

Why is she running to represent the American Citizen?
She hates the USA and it is mind boggling if you dislike our country so much, pick one to relocate that supports her ideal of government.
There are many that fit what she wants. She has made enough money off of the American taxpayer for her to move to her better place.

Rich
Rich
1 year ago

How sad that Don Samuels didn’t replace an anti-American tyrant like Omar. This only shows how America is turning to the dark side and viewing freedom as the enemy. The only positive is that he ALMOST beat her with little financing. SOME people might be waking up.

Larry W.
Larry W.
1 year ago

Omar is in the same category as Fidel Castro. They are both revolutionists who condone violence to achieve their own political viewpoints. She should have no position of leadership in a civilized and lawful society.

William C Smith
William C Smith
1 year ago

This one should have been terminated long ago.

Tim Toroian
Tim Toroian
1 year ago

A unifying figure among those who wish to destroy the country. She wouldn’t have made it this time if more of her fellow Somalis had become a bit more Americanized.

Veteran
Veteran
1 year ago

“Ilhan Omar is an unexpectedly unifying figure in American politics”? Want to rethink this statement? This hag is the most divisive politician in American history, besides Obama and Biden.

Hdrydr
Hdrydr
1 year ago

Don’t worry folks. The voter corruption in minn. will keep her as a congressional representative. No matter what crap she’s done, the communist/democraps will see to it that she’s “elected” again. Deport her and her family back to the cr*phole they call home.

Carol
Carol
1 year ago

If those that voted against her in the Democrat primary really don’t want her representing them and vote Republican in November, she may be toast! If not and the Red Wave comes thru, how many of these radicals will retire since they can’t get their own way anymore? Will be interesting to see!

Kay
Kay
1 year ago

Why would anyone vote for her, she hates America has never had a good thing to say after all she received and I can only pray her district will wake up and vote her out of office. She is anti American and hates the police or anything honest. Send her back

Ed J
Ed J
1 year ago

Ah, YES! The political pendulum appears to finally be swinging back more toward a position of actual sanity! Let’s hope it continues in such a positive direction and let’s hope Omar’s opponent in the general election does, in fact, make her a FORMER Congresswoman. It’s past time for Omar to be shown the door.

Rik
Rik
1 year ago

ONLY NATURAL BORN CITIZENS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO RUN/SERVE FOR ANY LOCAL/STATE/NATIONAL POLITICAL OFFICE!!! . . . After all, I would think it’s only natural she would “favor” representing her “own kind” first over natural born Americans.

ronyvo
ronyvo
1 year ago

The issue with Omar is way deeper than what has been told. Yes, she is Muslim. This should be more than enough to not ONLY be not allowed to run for any capacity in the American government, but, also not to be admitted in our country, Any one who knows Islam, read the evil Koran and observe the Muslims’ criminal behavior in our country and around the world would be angry that such people are allowed in our country let alone to hold high and honorable positions in Congress and PRESIDENT aka Barak Hussein Obama a fanatic Muslim who hates America. This is disgraceful and extremely dangerous.

In my opinion, ALL the recent mess in our country takes root with ISLAM. Know. I’ve tasted the Islamic treatment first hand.

Wake up America, PLEASE.

Dennis M Struk
Dennis M Struk
1 year ago

I do not like this “woman”… Load her up into the back of a C-130, take the aircraft up to around 20,000 feet over the Pacific. Drop the Loading Ramp, then push her out. NO PARACHUTE. Somersaults ALL THE WAY DOWN. Feed… The… Sharks

Philip Hammersley
Philip Hammersley
1 year ago

Omar is NOT a legal US citizen! She gained citizenship by marrying her own brother and thus committed FRAUD. Citizens in her district need to wise up and kick her back to Somalia! She only cares about getting publicity and her constituents be d***ed.

Nobody’s Business
Nobody’s Business
1 year ago

Go to Minneapolis all you see is Somalians. Most of them are lazy and can barely speak English. Then it’s back to the Blacks vote for Blacks and Somalians voting for Somalians. And idiots voting for things that they escaped their country to get away from. Just proves that Democrats aren’t to bright.

Paul W
Paul W
1 year ago

She is an ungrateful, corrupt, soros backed plant and a traitor. In the real world she would’ve been investigated, charged, impeached and convicted. She should’ve been sent packing back to somalia where her lifespan would’ve probably been measured in days. But the dc sewer is NOT the real world and more and more, neither is this planet.

VikkiC
VikkiC
1 year ago

We need to get behind Cicely Davis, Omar’s GOP opponent…I sure would love to see Omar carrying out her box of hijabs on January 2, 2023!!

Tim
Tim
1 year ago

She can still be defeated. Samuels can run as an independent and split the ticket. The republican would win and the hateful one would get kicked to the curb.

George W Holzman
George W Holzman
1 year ago

I can’t understand how anybody could vote for a muslem after what they did to our people and our city after 911

Sharon Ormsby
Sharon Ormsby
1 year ago

Dang, I wish more people had gotten out and voted for him. That would have been a wonderful thing. Darn the people who didn’t get out and vote for him, for not believing in him.

Joey Mize
Joey Mize
1 year ago

Great article , Great timing, Hooray For Samuels… I thumb my nose at The Israel PAC for lack of support at this crucial time. I would like to believe their eyes have been opened and they would take the opportunity to improve their position and help at the next opportunity, because from this moment forward anything and everything that the Liberals do will be a multi pointed thorn in their paws, plural ! I am so very saddened that Samuels did not get elected and I am from someplace else far far away. I seriously doubt that Omar is even aware that she came that close to losing, Or cares, yet as it obviously reveals the country and her state and city are feed up with the BS that has been the banner for the Democrats for the last dozen years. Ever single act that this administration performs or attempts to engage in that makes President Trump look bad will backfire from this moment forward. It will steel the hearts of those who know the TRUTH and are fully ready to KICK THEIR BUTTS OUT. It has to happen it has to begin in November. Should there be another ” NOVEMBER ” like 2020 I predict there will be 10 million people on the steps of the capital in January of 2023. And this time I will be one of them. Omar should have lost , I should have taken out a personal loan at 10% interest to cover the donation to Samuels, I fell I did not do my part to help him. These Omars that have infiltrated our world must be removed at the ballot box to show that the people are no longer going to accept this BS that they spew out as we pay their salaries. If these are so unhappy and want to see a country shaped in the shadows of the ones they came from let them go back to where they came from I’ll buy the one way ticket. Please RUN IN 2024 MR. TRUMP we need you !

charlie j
charlie j
1 year ago

Now, who/what were Ilan’s sources of funs and what percentage were from outside of MN??

Johnny White
Johnny White
1 year ago

She is not even a legal citizen and ineligible to be elected to her position. But as an evil Dem she can get away with it.

Donald
Donald
1 year ago

This idiot came to America married to her brother as a means to gain entry. Now she wants to take up the communist banner??? She ought to be back where she came from sucking water out of some mud whole in the ground!!! She wares that rag on her head into congress where no one before her was aloud to ware any type of head dress, yet nothing is said to her – WOW – how sad is that?

Vonniequirk
Vonniequirk
1 year ago

I applaud Don Samuels for running. Even though he did not have the “Big Bucks” behind him, he did very well. He should continue to advocate for the ousting of Omar. She is a traitor and does not deserve to “serve” in any capacity in the government.

Jeb
Jeb
1 year ago

Convince me she didn’t cheat her way to winning…

Westhus
Westhus
1 year ago

Any insight into voter turnout in this election? It would be interesting to know his it compared to the previous elections where Omar ran.

Patricia McGuirt
Patricia McGuirt
1 year ago

I have never before seen our great country so divided and representatives like her is a lot of the cause. I think we need God to be put back in the USA, start remembering how America was founded and remove the people in Congress that are trying to destroy our country.

roger
roger
1 year ago

the very fact she is in a position in our government is a very sad commentary on the state of affairs in this country !!

Linda Baker
Linda Baker
1 year ago

That loud mouth should have lost. Another four years of her nonsense.

Greasemaker
Greasemaker
1 year ago

You got to be kidding! The reason she made it was when Obamer let the Muslims in Minnesota they crammed them in an area where they dominated the vote, it’s always going to be a Muslim vote that wins!!

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