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National Features

On a sunny afternoon last fall, Muhammad Ali Hasan walked into a diner in Meeker, a farming town in Colorado's northwestern corner. It was the thick of hunting season, and the Meeker Cafe, an old brick building dotted with mounted deer heads, was filled with men who had just come off the chase, many still sporting orange vests over their flannel jackets.

Muhammad — or Ali, as he is known — had spent the morning on a chauffeured tour of the oil-rich Roan Plateau, Colorado's most contentious drilling site.

The 27-year-old Eagle County Republican was entertaining a run for state Senate District 8, a 175-mile-long region that spreads southeast from the Wyoming and Utah borders and includes both Meeker, in Rio Blanco County, and the Roan Plateau. Though he had ventured out of his Suburban to climb the hills around the plateau hours earlier, his thick black hair remained coiffed in a spiky pompadour. He wore a tight-fitting button-down shirt with tiny skulls on it, a belt buckle with the American flag, jeans and a new pair of suede cowboy boots. Ali picked a table in the middle of the diner and sat down with his campaign manager, Jeff Bartleson, and assistant, Jonathan Berckefeldt.  

It was the tail end of Ramadan, but Ali, a Muslim, ordered a burger, explaining that travelers are exempted from the holiday's fasting requirement. Bartleson and Berckefeldt did the same. Next stop on the campaign trail would be the Vermillion Basin, another politically important oil-drilling site. Then it would be back over the mountains to Avon for a Republican Central Committee meeting and, finally, a Young Republican get-together at Pazzo's Pizzeria, where they'd eat again.

The burgers arrived, and Ali chatted loudly — his voice half President Bush, half Valley Boy — about his plans for next summer, when his campaign would "heat up" with fliers and yard signs. A first-time politician, Ali chose to run in District 8 despite the fact that it has already been spoken for by veteran legislator Al White, and despite warnings from the state's Republican leadership that he should first consider a House seat.

At an adjacent table, a group of older hunters gawked at the candidate. Ali finished his meal, and one of them piped up. "Are you from the People's Republic of Davis?" he asked. "No," Ali answered, standing up from his seat to introduce himself and smiling broadly. "I'm from the People's Republic of Eagle County!"

It's easy to confuse Ali for a California boy. His larger-than-life charisma — replete with hair gel, designer sunglasses and an iPhone — makes him seem more Hollywood than hinterland. And before last summer, when he moved back to the $10 million Beaver Creek mansion he shares with his parents and two older sisters, Ali had spent nine years in Los Angeles, first as a political commentator on network TV when he was still in college, and later as the director of Rabia, a film about a female suicide bomber that he produced for his graduate program at Chapman University.

In California, he'd also started Muslims for Bush — now called Muslims for America — a nonprofit aimed at defeating John Kerry in the 2004 election by asserting that the president had done more for Muslims than the Democratic candidate. The organization earned him a degree of fame and more spots on national television.

Back in Colorado, Ali regularly put in long days traversing the district, and the day's lunch was a kind of campaign stop, too. He kept up the exchange with the hunters, asking the men how early they'd risen that morning, and whether they hunted with bows or guns. For his part, Ali had fired a gun for the first time just a few weeks earlier, in practice for a "shootout" he'd sponsored at the Hogue Ranch in Routt County. The event, a fundraiser for the local Republican Party, was his mother's idea, and he'd hit a clay pigeon on his first day. After chatting a little more, Ali surveyed the room a final time and interjected with a warm "Hi!" to anyone who made eye contact.

The youngest child of extremely wealthy and outspoken Pakistani parents, Ali couldn't be more different from the oil workers, ranchers and hunters of Senate District 8, a five-county region with only 144,000 residents. Early on in his run, he opted to be frank about his background, resisting advisors who told him to campaign as "Al Hasan." One voter referred to Islam as the "religion of Satan," but questions about his faith have been few and mostly mild, Ali says. "I have a deep faith that this is not a racist district. I want to show that people here are not racist."

But Ali's heritage and his California swagger had been the least of his problems.

White, a four-term state representative from Hayden, is well known on the Western Slope. In his eight years in House District 57, he earned a track record for promoting affordable housing and tourism, as well as for negotiating a proposal for how the state's cut of oil revenue should be distributed. Now, with the blessings of the state Republican Party and District 8's retiring senator, Jack Taylor, White planned to step effortlessly into the Senate seat. He saw Ali as nothing less than an imposter.  

Nevertheless, as Ali toured the district, he grew determined that he could represent it better. He hadn't lived in Beaver Creek long enough to earn a reputation on pressing issues like water, oil revenue or education, but he was certain that White had gone about fixing them all wrong. It was time to take the Western Slope's interests back, he told people he met along the campaign trail. And time to take the Republican Party back for the people and not the politicians.

He would do this, he promised, even if it meant using his personal investment fund to bankroll himself into a bloody primary with White.

Write Your Comment show comments (28)

  1. He could create the coo-coo caucus with Doug Bruce.

    Comment by Oliver — January 16, 2008 @ 06:14PM

  2. Wow! I'm curious to hear Ali's remarks on this piece of writing. Although I shudder at the possibility of this man getting elected, I can't believe how the article characterizes him. Obviously, the author was permitted very close access to the candidate and went on to bravely paint a startling canvas of this misguided muslim. Praise to the author for being candid. But then again, is this guy getting a fair shake, or is he really that kind of guy as described in the terminal paragraph?

    Comment by Jake Reddy — January 17, 2008 @ 03:51PM

  3. This is truly as sad as it gets. Republican cronyism is one thing, but it is very much of a another thing when a 27 year old with no experience or credibility is a real candidate for our state legislature. Without his family's wealth and connections, this person wouldn't ever dream of being in the position that he is in now. For someone who just recently moved into this state in his mid-twenties, it goes without saying that money can get you anything. God help us because, surely, the world is coming to end. This is serious, folks, time to wake up and look at what happens when you let the rich and powerful have their way with the state and local laws that regulate us all.

    ---and I loved the bit about how the girlfriend drove the wrong way on the one-way street.

    Comment by Ben Jackson — January 18, 2008 @ 03:18PM

  4. Is this actually happening? Correct me if I'm wrong, but the lesson of the story here is that boat loads of money, not merit, makes you qualified to run for public office. I think I may be ready to change from Republican to Democrat after reading this.

    Comment by Jack — January 18, 2008 @ 03:24PM

  5. One has to wonder if the reporter will get sued next! It seems to me that everyone in the family sues when they don't get their way, or don't like what someone says or writes about them. That lawyer sister, Asma, is suing a songwriter for the song he wrote! Obviously, freedom of expression for the Malik Hasan family means filthy language and getting buildings named after them. I didn't know that Sufi Muslims drink, cuss, and have promiscuous sex. Is this the Republican inner circle??? Money buys THIS abuse of our courts and democracy! Very scary! The article fails to state that Ali's dad, Malik M Hasan, made $285 million overnight with that HMO...denying health care to so many people, IMHO!

    Comment by Ms. Williams — January 18, 2008 @ 09:00PM

  6. Amen Ms. Williams! The Hasan family always seem to be chomping at the bit to sue everyone and anything. I wonder what the Bush family and other republicans think of the Hasans' litigious stances. They should be ashamed of themselves for abusing the courts and our american legal system to bully their way around in their business and personal affairs.

    As far as Ali for a state legislature position, is he out of his mind. That guy doesn't know a thing about real life, politics, Colorado, Coloradans or their issues. It seems more like a practical joke than a legitimate run for a seat in the house.

    I guess when your family buys their way into the political circle (the Bush family would not even spit the Hasans' direction if they weren't rich and contributing tons of money to the campaigns), even the most spoiled and underaccomplished children can get anything mommy and daddy wish to buy them.

    Comment by Sunny — January 19, 2008 @ 09:19AM

  7. Asma Hasan claims the Hasans are direct descendants of Genghis Kahn? OH-MY-GOD. Asma does not seem to understand that is nothing to be proud of...and anyway, looking and acting like Genghis Kahn doesn't qualify for status as direct descendants.

    I get the impression that Asma and her family need more attention than Paris Hilton AND Britney Spears combined.

    Comment by J — January 19, 2008 @ 09:27AM

  8. The Hasans seem like the type that espouses the idea that, if you can't win, sue! You know what is sort of ironic about them? They appear to have a sense of entitlement that is even greater than the sense of "entitlement" often times labeled upon the poor of our society. And that lawyer sister doesn't seem to have a lot of support in the muslim community. Maybe they don't like her sense of entitlement either. But watch out, she might sue you if you don't support her.

    Comment by Randy S — January 19, 2008 @ 09:35AM

  9. How much do you want to bet the Hasans try to sue the Westword for not painting them in a favorable light?

    Seriously, I bet they sue.

    Comment by Al — January 19, 2008 @ 09:37AM

  10. Making millions in the health insurance business by denying health benefits and gobbling up other health insurance companies is nothing to be proud of. word on the street is that Hasan doesn't have a lot of respect from other doctors in Colorado.

    Comment by forre — January 19, 2008 @ 09:44AM

  11. I am no fan of Muhammad Ali Hasan's, but the reporter who wrote this obviously has no business being a journalist. Ms. Zeveloff has stooped to the lowest form of tabloid reporting to get her point across. I have met Miss Miller and know her to be the best kind of person. I feel bad for her being wrapped up in this scorching story that is inflammatory and worthy only of the National Enquirer. Miss Miller works hard, is a wonderful mother and one of the smartest people I have ever met, yet Ms. Zeveloff's tale only points out Miller's physical and emotional attributes. For shame! Even the headline steers the reader to think badly of Mr. Hasan before you ever get to the first sentence. Not even Mr. Hasan's loving parents were safe. Such editorializing should make Ms. Zeveloff's editors blush. I'm sure Mr. Hasan's rebellious words would have spoken for themselves-there was no need for deplorable, sub-grade journalistic tactics. There was also no need for, and I felt uncomfortable reading about, the private moments between two people who are clearly in love, how many bathrooms his house has, what type of wallpaper he has in his bedroom or that his dog killed his girlfriend's pet. Every Westwordian should be ashamed and embarrassed for Ms. Zeveloff.

    All your other commenters are yelling that Mr. Hasan will sue. I think he is probably too cowardly to sue over this, but I believe Miss Miller would have a very good case against the Westword. Imagine that! A single mother of three with little extra money using all her resources just to gain back some respect that the Westword stripped away from her without thought or concern over her or her children's lives.

    My final point before I digress is this: Mr. Hasan is loud and obnoxious at times, and his family can come off as entitled and pushy, but at least they seem to care about one another very much and are raising a son who (despite his verbal diarrhea) is working very hard earn something that most of us would never dare do. Asking people for their vote and spending months putting yourself out there for criticism such as this story just for the chance to earn $35K a year and the honor of being under constant scrutiny as a Rep. takes some guts! Would you encourage your son or daughter to run for office so they could be torn apart?

    Comment by Bill — January 19, 2008 @ 03:05PM

  12. Bill:

    This was an excellent and objectively written article about a candidate for public office. It is important for real Coloradans to know the truth and reality about the people who wish to rule over them by controlling the laws that govern their lives. I disagree with your comment that none of us would dare to run for public office. In fact, many of us would love to but are not able to do it because very few of us have the millions of dollars and purchased political contacts to spend on a campaign. $35K a year is hardly a sacrifice to this person because he is obviously running for this seat as a stepping stone. It is quite strange how this candidate could honestly care so much about the issues facing Colorado and Coloradoans when he hasn't lived here for any meaningful length of time and has not even lived here long enough to experience the issues he seeks to address. If you are upset with the critique directed at this candidate, then you have probably underestimated the responsibilities of public office. It's not a high school student council election. This is about the state laws that govern our everyday lives.

    Reporting the truth about a candidate running for public office is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than worrying about hurting his or his family's feelings, and so be it if the TRUTH hurts. Without the truth, our democractic process means nothing. Kudos to the author of this objective piece of journalism.

    Comment by Yolanda — January 19, 2008 @ 03:34PM

  13. Yolanda-

    I do agree with you that he has a long way to come still before he proclaims he knows what's best for Colorado, and I also agree that because he is running for office he is open to public and journalistic scrutiny at all costs. However, I respectfully disagree that this is a fair, objective and, well, good piece of writing. This story is laced with themes, assumptions and details that have no place in an honest or serious piece of political reporting. This reporter was within her rights to point out the family's wealth, but to take constant jabs at them about it, and to be so blatantly bias against them and their wealth takes the seriousness out of her original intention. Many people I have talked to about this story were not able to take it seriously because Miss Zeveloff discredited herself along with Mr. Hasan. Again, I am NO fan of his, and I'm sure he would have turned off readers/voters based solely on his comments, but this piece of crap went too far to the point where you wonder why the author has such a grudge against him, his family, his girlfriend and even the people of Western Colorado (the headline on the cover alone suggests that they are all racist and like dull politicians). My point was more about Miss Miller than Mr. Hasan, anyway. Why did the Westword feel it was important to discredit and embarrass Miss Miller?

    Comment by Bill — January 19, 2008 @ 05:47PM

  14. I'm really disappointed in reading this. Alison Miller is someone I know personally and she is a phenomenal mother, an intelligent woman, and I know first-hand, a close close close friend to Ali Hasan. I think most of us here in Vail would agree that she keeps that guy grounded. They do have a very special bond and they are both very beloved in the valley here.

    Shame on the Westword for not capturing that 'childish-fun' side of their relationship, in addition to Alison's good character. Whenever those two are together, they are always smiling and laughing; it is a beautiful thing.

    Comment by CGMill — January 20, 2008 @ 03:07PM

  15. Great story! To those personal acquaintances of the individuals who appear in the story and criticize the journalistic integrity of this piece, voters do not all have the opportunity to meet candidates and must rely on reporters to really understand them as potential legislators, and as people.
    Reading Ms. Zeveloff's piece, as opposed to what any sort of daily news coverage could offer, gives intimately important insight into the campaign. This is precisely the sort of coverage that a daily paper can never achieve, and that voters should, in a democratic republic, have access to on a local level, so thank you to westword for providing it.
    How much time has the media devoted to the personal goings-on of the presidential primary candidates? Running for public office is a green light for putting one's policy opinions as well as personal character attributes out there for public consumption. And, not insignificantly- at some point, platforms (especially among dems on the national level) become indistinguishable, and all voters have left is a sense of integrity of character. So, thank you Ms Zeveloff for offering a clear piece on Hasan's not-so-clear policy plans, as well as the person behind them, as that will probably not appear in any other media.
    Hasan could have chosen to polish what he did and said in front of the media, but allowed the reporter, and readers, to get this picture of him.

    Comment by Sara Rubin — January 20, 2008 @ 09:55PM

  16. When I first read this odd article at the Denver airport, en route back to the Tarheel State, I wondered what the hullabaloo could possibly be about. Now I see it. An immature young man is running for office without scruples or positions. People should vote for him because his mother wants him to be respected. And here this fine woman, Ms Z, points out the lunacy inherent in this ludicrous aspect of our political scene by zeroing in on what a sleazy individual this spoiled and impolite young man is! Well I for one say "Thank you dear: for your candor and humor in telling us about this story of how totally uncharming those with charmed lives can be."

    Comment by Prudence Fieldstone — January 20, 2008 @ 11:19PM

  17. This guy is not a real muslum and obviously has no love for his people. He seems to be someone more interested in popularity and power than making the world a better place. He already has money so he now wants fame and power. Real muslims don't act like this. I have quite a few muslum friends, and none of them support nor understand why Ali lies so much.

    Comment by Larry Wallus — January 21, 2008 @ 09:01PM

  18. I am excited to see that so many people are taking an interest in this year's state elections and the personalities that are vying for your vote. However, I would like to put this on the record online that there are many inaccuracies in Naomi's article. Naomi has painted the worst possible picture of myself, Ali, the Hasan family and the great people of the Western Slope. The inaccuracies of this article range from quotes and snap shots of situations being taken out of context to outright lies and half-truths. I will admit that there are things-many things-that are correct and appear as they were, but I strongly believe that the article overall is not to be taken as a credible profile of Ali or myself, nor is it worth its weight in the paper it was printed on.

    I have asked Westword to print a correction online and in print about the misinformation and lies that were put out there that directly pertain to me, as well as an apology from Naomi for being reckless in her reporting. I know the Hasan family has written a letter to the Editor to set the record straight on their end, too. I hope each and every one of you will look for the corrections and, should one not be provided, I hope you will demand that Westword provide one. I have also asked that the untruthful portions of this article be deleted from the online version.

    Let me be clear in saying that I am only speaking for myself and the position this article has put me in. I am not a wealthy woman, or a litigious woman by any normal means. I am just a hard working, single mother who has been put in personal and professional jeopardy by the malicious reporting on Naomi's part and by Westword for running Naomi's article without first fact checking. With any luck, Westword will hold themselves accountable to their readers and their sources.

    In closing, I want to encourage you all to go out to your caucuses on Feb. 5 and display the same enthusiasm for the election process that you have in these comments. Ali very well may not be the choice of everybody, but what he is fighting for just by running for office as a young, passionate minority is something we should all choose to take part in--the freedom our forefathers gave us to take part in choosing our government or to take part by running to represent the people. That is a beautiful thing!

    Thank you. God bless us all.

    Comment by Alison Miller — January 22, 2008 @ 11:49AM

  19. This was a fascinating article which I totally enjoyed. Ms. Zeveloff's writing skills are impressive.

    Comment by Susan Farber — January 22, 2008 @ 04:50PM

  20. I like the article as it gives us a glimpse into the world of the politician, the wealthy and I wonder what all the fuss is with Alison Miller's friends complaining? It looks like the writer allowed their comments and actions to speak for themselves and I am glad for such details. Ali and Alison knew the reporter was with them recording quotes and comments and acted openly so why would she not print such?

    Oh, what would you not want included in the article Alison?

    Comment by Steve — January 23, 2008 @ 11:11AM

  21. Steve-

    Things I feel should not be included in this article--because they are entirely false--are that I regularly spend the night in Beaver Creek with Ali and that I quit eating pork because he could taste it when he kissed me. Being a single mother, I believe it was out of line for Naomi to falsely say I spend the night there when in fact I have never once done such a thing. It begs the questions of where are her children when she's there or why aren't they at home in their own bed near their own schools? These are questions my ex-husband will ask, along with community members. As for the pork, Ali only ever asked, and I agreed to, quit smoking because it was bothersome. I would never change my lifestyle or eating habits for the comfort of a kiss. I have greater respect for myself than that.
    In addition to these falsehoods, the overall tone of the article in respect to my involvement with Ali went a long way to impugn my character, and I wish Naomi had pointed out more of my intellectual and professional aspects than my physical and emotional ones. However, I do realize that a negative tone to an article is not necessarily illegal or unethical. Reporting things that are false without fact checking, and especially when such accusations has a negative impact on one's life, is libelous though.
    There are other inaccuracies in this story and these are just two of the most glaring and hurtful examples.
    I would like to point out that I have talked to the Editors at Westword and despite the fact that Ali and I both categorically deny having ever said or alluded to either of the above listed inaccuracies, Westword has refused to run a correction and is standing by their negligent reporter. I am disappointed that Westword feels it is more important to stick by false reporting and ernest acts of embarrassment than uphold their credibility as a news publication or accountability to their readers.

    Comment by Alison Miller — January 23, 2008 @ 04:25PM

  22. So the only real factual disputes are sleeping over and quiting pork? This is an exceptional piece of journalism and the objectivity and fairness of the author is a great service to our community. The candidate and his campaign staff appear upset only because they were called out. I, and everyone else I presume, would be terribly disappointed if some rich and privileged, and unqualified individual (or family) successfully plotted to take over a legislative seat in these circumstances. It's nice to know the truth about the people who aspire to assume positions that govern our state. Now we can vote intelligently.

    Comment by Edward Hill — January 24, 2008 @ 11:54AM

  23. Allison, so you deny you stayed over at his house and stopped eating pork. Do you also deny that Hasan is a complete joke of a candidate? Do yourself a favor and go work for a candidate who actually cares about policy, rather than Hasan who only seems to care about doing something he thinks his mom will be proud of. This is ridiculous.

    Comment by Philip — January 24, 2008 @ 11:55AM

  24. Since Ali couldn't be noted for three testicles, why not rattle on and on ad nauseum about his being a wealthy Paki. So what? There are comets and asteroids heading for earth and it seems we are doomed not to last more than abillion years. How come you don't cut the Ali story by a few lines and report on whther Colorado is where these stellar bodies of doom will hit?

    At any rate, I had to drink 12 cups of cofee to stay awake and read this story. I was booooorrrrrooooonnnnngggg-- like a long ad or something. Isn;t there someone at the nursing home who just got dis-impacted by a new brand of K-O or somewthing, for you to wrote about. Afterall, one can't see the Mr. Ali story as woth soooooo many trees as the paper liters our doorway or wraps our fish.

    Comment by de teodoru — January 24, 2008 @ 01:29PM

  25. Given a "candidate" with these meager "qualifications", one thing that we don't want to do, come election day, is to assume that enough people will vote against him. Better show up and get your vote into the "against" column.

    The really sad thing about his Republican candidacy is one of his (ostensible) quotes, regarding his view that the United States should "embrace" the people of the Arab world. Considering that the Bush administration has trashed Iraq and killed untold civilians, it is completely incongruous that a Muslim and/or Arab self-proclaimed advocate would choose to be a member of a party that has so soundly devastated an Arab country.

    Comment by Jane — January 27, 2008 @ 02:07AM

  26. perhaps it was the "brief interlude in a hotel bathroom" comment that has ms. miller in a fuss....is that how she got the other kids?

    Comment by janitzio — February 1, 2008 @ 03:15PM

  27. perhaps it was the "brief interlude in a hotel bathroom" comment that has ms. miller in a fuss....is that how she got the other kids?

    Comment by janitzio — February 1, 2008 @ 03:15PM

  28. ha!, check this out...the story gets even worse. http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2008/03/an_order_in_alis_court.php

    Comment by Gigi — March 10, 2008 @ 08:19PM

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