Echoing a conservative talking point about incoming Rep. Keith Ellison's (D-MN) reported intention to use a copy of the Quran during the photo op on the day he is sworn in, an editorial in the December 4 Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction stated that Ellison's decision “has some people understandably upset, since this country is at war with radical Islamists who cite the Koran to justify the butchery of innocents.” The Sentinel's editorial echoes a November 28 Townhall.com column by conservative talk show host Dennis Prager, who claimed that Ellison's decision “undermines American civilization.” Prager further stated that Ellison's reported use of the Quran is analogous with “a racist elected to Congress” choosing “Hitler's 'Mein Kampf' ” for his oath. According to Prager:

Devotees of multiculturalism and political correctness who do not see how damaging to the fabric of American civilization it is to allow Ellison to choose his own book need only imagine a racist elected to Congress. Would they allow him to choose Hitler's “Mein Kampf,” the Nazis' bible, for his oath? And if not, why not? On what grounds will those defending Ellison's right to choose his favorite book deny that same right to a racist who is elected to public office?

As Media Matters for America noted, during the November 30 broadcast of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes, co-host Sean Hannity repeated Prager's assertions regarding Ellison, claiming that his reported decision to use the Quran “will embolden Islamic extremists and make new ones, and they'll see it as the first sign and realization of a greatest goal, which is the, you know, making Islam the religion of America.” Media Matters also noted that conservative radio host Michael Savage called Ellison's reported decision to be sworn in with a Quran “the tyranny of the psycho, whacked-out minority.”

As the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on November 13, “Ellison will take the oath of office in Washington on the Qur'an. He will also, as he does every day, unroll his prayer rug five times a day, bend on his knees and face Mecca.” The Star Tribune further reported:

Ellison already has received a flood of international attention, his victory a beacon for Muslims of many nations. He has made headlines in India and appeared on Serbian television. His name is known in Israel.

He will carry into office the hopes of Muslims and the expectations of a home district that includes half of Minnesota's Jewish population and plenty of urban problems.

A November 8 BBC article noted that during Ellison's campaign, he “was supported by the National Jewish Democratic Council as well as a prominent Minneapolis Jewish newspaper, which endorsed him over his Republican rival Alan Fine, who is Jewish.”

From the December 4 Sentinel editorial, “A Koranic oath”:

The first Muslim elected to the U.S. Congress, Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison, has announced he will take his oath of office with his hand on the Koran instead of the Bible.

That has some people understandably upset, since this country is at war with radical Islamists who cite the Koran to justify the butchery of innocents.

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More troubling than how Ellison will take his oath is his history of associating with groups that have little but contempt for U.S. law and democracy.

Ellison has a lengthy record of involvement with the Nation of Islam, the anti-Semitic group headed by Louis Farrakhan. He has publicly supported gang leaders and convicted cop killers in writings and speeches. And during his campaign this year, he appeared at a fund-raiser that included Nihad Awad, an unabashed supporter of Hamas and executive director of CAIR.

Given this background, people have good reason to wonder whether Ellison's loyalties truly lie with the country whose Constitution he will swear to uphold come January.