Auto-Tune-backed Gubernatorial Candidate Loses Primary
Perhaps to prove Jay Z right about the death of auto-tune, the last minute release of a campaign theme song by the Farouk Shami campaign failed to convince democratic party members to give the Palestinian-American hair care businessman the party’s nomination in the Texas governor race.
The song by J Xavier goes over Shami’s platform:
“Who’s got the new solutions for Texas: FAROUK/When it comes to the state, who’s gone rep it: FAROUK/Farouk Farouk, Farouk is on fi-ah/Serving the community, his numba one desiah.”
[new video posted March 7]
Incredible… If this would have helped, the campaign should have put it out earlier rather than using it as a last-minute tactic. I think they probably wanted to start out running a safe campaign, but should have really taken the outsider angle from the start. It was apparent he was treated as an outsider from the start.
Sadly, Shami lost pretty badly amidst brutal treatment by the media and evidence of race-baiting and nativistic appeals by his opponent Bill White. Of course, all the white people involved rejected the claims of racism, which they seem to think is only evinced by the presence of the KKK or Hitler.
Party higher ups considered the Shami campaign DOA. An Anderson county party official wrote the campaign an e-mail saying “nobody is going to vote for anyone named Farouk.” That is too bad too, because this is just the type of small-minded ignorance that will keep producing the same elected bozo’s running the country.
This e-mail, as insulting as it is, makes a good point. It is very hard for an immigrant not named Arnold to have such political success. Had he been in California or less of a redneck state, who knows… Still, his Palestinian background aside, he’d face the challenges of being a political novice.
Having dropped $6 million of his own money on this campaign, the only tangible results are this song and further proof of Texan/American xenophobia.
If I were him, I’d make better use of my money to back and control politicians. It’s far better to make an elected official than be one. Not that I really know.
Farouk is on fi-ah!
By the way, his shampoo products are truly terrific. Look for Farouk Systems products at your local stores.
[tarboush tip: Programmer Buydatti]
i can't view the video
Maybe he should've worn a cowboy hat
Always whining about racism really turns people off.
Farouk Shami and his campaign have in recent weeks accused his opponent, the media and fellow Democrats of racism, raising not only a slew of denials but questions about whether Shami is overplaying the race card.
The latest instance came Thursday when the hair care magnate, campaigning for governor in McAllen, criticized rival Bill White for touting that he was born in San Antonio.
The remark prompted White spokeswoman Katy Bacon to ask, "How can it be racist that Bill White grew up in San Antonio and says so as he's introducing himself?"
Earlier, Shami accused White, a former Houston mayor, of "taking jobs from African-Americans and giving them to his friends."
A thorough fact-check of the claim by the Austin American-Statesman won the finding of "pants on fire" when it could establish no basis for the claim.
"What Shami has been saying about Bill and racism is not only false, but outrageous and extremely offensive," Bacon said. "Desperate candidates do desperate things, but Shami's comments about Bill are way over the edge, and it's time Shami be held accountable for his words."
By the way, Louisiana has a governor named "Bobby Jindal" – a guy who stands on his principles and doesn't whine about his race.
Mr Shami should consider running for governor as an independant, like Lieberman. White hasn't got a chance against that Republican gangster, Rick Perry. When Perry wins, and if the winds blow farther to the right, brown people will be in deep trouble here in the lone star state.
If Shami had enlisted the support of the hispanic community, he would have done much better. Voter registration drives would have helped also.
It is a fact that minorities are the majority in Texas; Shami could win by taking the brown vote and by letting White and Perry split the white vote.
Wow that was very racist
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It's sad that even after the lesson of Obama–bankster shill extraordinaire–people still can't get past the notion that a candidate's "race" or ethnicity have a damn thing to do with anything, or is any indicator of what kind of political leader a particular person will be. The accusations of racism here seem pretty bogus–his opponent mentioned he was born in San Antonio and this is racist? It's gotten to the point you cannot oppose a minority candidate either as a voter or a candidate without being accused of racism. The Obama/Hillary fandango was particularly illustrative, with supporters of Hillary being accused of racism and supporters of Obama being accused of sexism, as if there could be no other brand of foolishness than racism or sexism that might explain someone voting for one or the other of these two corporate whores. Overplaying the race card, like wild accusations of anti-Semitism, have trivialized the reality of racism in this society.It's sad that even after the lesson of Obama–bankster shill extraordinaire–people still can't get past the notion that a candidate's "race" or ethnicity have a damn thing to do with anything, or is any indicator of what kind of political leader a particular person will be. The accusations of racism here seem pretty bogus–his opponent mentioned he was born in San Antonio and this is racist? It's gotten to the point you cannot oppose a minority candidate either as a voter or a candidate without being accused of racism. The Obama/Hillary fandango was particularly illustrative, with supporters of Hillary being accused of racism and supporters of Obama being accused of sexism, as if there could be no other brand of foolishness than racism or sexism that might explain someone voting for one or the other of these two corporate whores. Overplaying the race card, like wild accusations of anti-Semitism, have trivialized the reality of racism in this society.
Being Palestinian is no guarantee this guy will somehow be friendlier to minorities or anything but his own interests. Personally, I am always suspicious when someone spends millions of dollars of his own money on a long-shot chance of gaining political office in a job that pays what, $150,000 a year? . He either wants power desperately, in which case he's an egomaniac, or he expects to recoup his investment, in which case he's a crook. I'd rather see a guy or gal of any ethnicity or color with a long history of genuine community activism and service get the nod than yet another rich dude buying himself a ticket to ride…even someone born in San Antonio.
Houston has had a
Black mayor, and we just elected our FIRST openly Lesbian mayor. Farouk should have avoided saying racist things about 'white people', and worn a dress.
So I interviewed Shami and though all the Arabs in Texas were somewhat proud of his efforts, I was absolutely turned off by him. Being rich and bored in life should not be basis for running. His debates were almost laughable. He denies his religious background – by saying things like 'I am all religions'
It was such a far-shot that it would haven been less brutal if he just didn't bother.
Don't blame Texas so much, but also the ego of an older elitist Arab man.
What was the interview for? Sorry about hating Texas. Bush made it fashionable.
So I interviewed Shami and though all the Arabs in Texas were somewhat proud of his efforts, I was absolutely turned off by him. Being rich and bored in life should not be basis for running. His debates were almost laughable. He denies his religious background – by saying things like 'I am all religions'
and quit hatin on TEXAS !!! I'm Palestinian from Texas and I wouldn't have voted for Shami even if you paid me.