Democratic candidates decline to use term ‘radical Islam’

All three Democratic presidential candidates are declining to use the term “radical Islam” at the party’s second debate, a description used by many of their Republican rivals.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says, “I don’t think we are at war with Islam. … I think we’re at war with jihadists.”

She adds that “it’s not particularly helpful” to use language that alienates many Muslims, and she notes that Republican President George W. Bush made a similar point after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders says, “I don’t think the term is important.” He says the more important issue is the “entire world coming together” to defeat militants.

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley says using the term “radical Islam” is unnecessarily offensive to Muslims in America. He says he prefers “radical jihadists” and describes them as a group that is “perverting the name of a major world religion.”

The Republican candidates for president are jumping on the refusal of the Democratic candidates to say the words “radical Islam” at their debate.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush tweets, “Yes, we are at war with radical Islamic terrorism.”

Rick Santorum adds on Twitter, “@HillaryClinton how can we defeat our enemy if we cannot identify who they are and what motivates them?”

Says Carly Fiorina on Twitter: “Hillary Clinton will not call this Islamic terrorism. I will.”

— AP