We’re nine months away from Election Day, and presidential hopefuls are pulling out all the stops.

This has already been a highly entertaining (if not disturbing) campaign trail -many candidates have planted shiny loafers and high heel pumps firmly in their white toothed, caucusing mouths.

It’s no surprise that the Middle East, Muslims and Arabs have been the subject of debate for candidates- as well as excellent catalysts for those feet to enter ever-flapping mouths. Which of the candidates have the best take on what is becoming a more serious issue for Muslims and Muslim Americans daily? How can we see through the election year rhetoric and support a candidate that wants to do what’s best for Muslim Americans, Muslims and the US? Hate crimes against American Muslims have tripled since the terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, including incidents where vandals have thrown bacon and even a severed pig’s head at mosques.

Both parties have their own take on the issue, the democrats have taken a progressive and inclusive approach to the topic, urging voters to judge individuals for acts or terror- rather than entire religions, regions or ethnicities.

Conversely, Republicans have used Islamophobia as well as their disdain for what many Republicans feel is out of control immigration to the US, to appeal to their xenophobic, border loving, constituents.

Here’s Elan’s breakdown of the candidates from each party and how they use Islamophobia to their advantage:

The Donald’s outrageous rhetoric outshines his competition when discussing Islamophobia. So let’s start with the reality star-slash-realty mogul-slash-destroyer of the dignity of the American election process and get it out of the way-

Donald Trump:

In the wake of a deadly mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, by suspected ISIS sympathizers and the day after President Barack Obama asked the country not to “turn against one another” out of fear, The Donald called for a, “Complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what the hell is going on,”

At a Republican candidate debate earlier this year, Donald, regarding Muslims: “Tens of thousands of people” (are entering America with) “cell phones with Isis flags on them…I don’t think so.”

Well, I don’t think so, either, Donald.

Mr. Trump went on: “They’re not coming to this country if I’m president. And if Obama has brought some to this country they are leaving, they’re going, they’re gone.”

But please, don’t feel special, Muslims. The Trumpet had this to say about Mexican immigrants:

“They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists” – at his campaign launch, Trump Tower, New York City.

Apparently, Donald likes Muslims as long as they are playing golf:

Bernie Sanders:

Sanders, the Socialist/Democratic candidate has been eager to establish his support of Muslims and all beleaguered minorities early in his campaign -starting with this answer to a young Muslim students question of how Sanders would combat anti-Islam rhetoric in the United States today.

“Let me be very personal if I might. I’m Jewish. My father’s family died in concentration camps,” Sanders said. “I will do everything that I can to rid this country of the ugly stain of racism which has existed for far too many years.”

“Our job is to build a nation in which we all stand together as one people,” he continued. “And you are right, there is a lot of … hatred being generated against Muslims in this country. … If we are going to stand for anything, we have got to stand together and end all forms of racism.”

An excellent response-but the Independent senator’s response, genuine as it may be- was crafted to help combat some of the toughest challenges he faces in the fight for the Democratic nomination; such as moving past his image as “an old white guy from Vermont” and as that old white dude, connecting with historically marginalized communities.

Sanders most recently announced a new digital campaign called “Not me, us.”, in an attempt to energize and further combat these issues and increase his progressive, socialist voter base. Sander’s campaign posted a graphic and message in Arabic on Twitter last Friday; “America becomes a greater nation when we stand together and say no to racism, hatred, and bigotry,” the translated message reads. The graphic says, “Not me, us.”

Hillary Clinton:

A moderate liberal, Hilary has been supportive of Muslims and Islam in general, but in this campaign has mostly used the issue of Islamophobia to bash her noisy, Republican rivals.

At the Democratic Town Hall on CNN this past January, Hillary Clinton denounced Donald Trump’s “bullying” when asked by Islamic Air Force veteran Erum Tariq-Munir, “whether the United States is the best place for her to raise her three children with its current Islamophobic climate.” Clinton thanked the hijabi veteran for her service.

Clinton answered that, “the insulting, denigrating, and harmful language used by the GOP — “particularly their front runner” — has been “one of the most distressing” parts of the 2016 campaign. It’s not only shameful and offensive, which it is — I think it’s dangerous … We cannot tolerate this. We must stand up and say, ‘Every person in this country deserves to be treated with respect.’”

She next went on to tie the generally domestic question into foreign policy, asserting, “We need a coalition that includes Muslim nations to defeat ISIS and it’s pretty hard to figure out how you’re going to make a coalition with the very nations you need if you spend your time insulting their religion!”

Marco Rubio

When Marco Rubio was asked “who is the non-politician you’d most like to have a beer with”, he replied, “Malala.”

Malala.

Hey, Marco. Malala is 17 years old. In case you were wondering why that matters, the legal drinking age in the US is 21,

Also, Marco, my brother, Malala is a Muslim. It may be wise to remember that Muslims do not imbibe alcoholic beverages.

Marco, dude- you could have at least tried to score politically correct points by saying, “ Well, I wouldn’t have a BEER with her, but maybe a delicious traditional drink of Lassi!”.

Smoooooth, Rubio. Smooth. Like a Lassi.

Ben Carson:

This guy should reconsider ever opening his mouth in public-possibly even in private.

In an interview earlier this year with NBC’s Meet the Press, Republican Presidential Candidate Ben Carson said, “I’ve worked with Muslims, I’ve trained Muslims, I’ve performed brain surgery on Muslims. I can tell you that, anatomically, a Muslim’s brain is wired differently than ours.”

No, Ben. Muslim’s brains and everyone else’s are “wired” the same. Yours is filled with some weird, gloppy stuff that smells like- hatred.

His most recent comment was equally shocking. In an interview Monday with Breitbart News’ Stephen K. Bannon, Carson was asked whether he believes Muslims who are “Sharia adherent” can also participate in a Democratic society governed by the rule of law.

“Only if they’re schizophrenic,” Carson said. “I don’t see how they can do it otherwise, because they have two different philosophies boring at you [that contradict each other]. That would be very difficult.”

Carson has also repeatedly said during his campaign that the president should not be Muslim unless he or she renounces the religion’s system of laws and governance. The candidate made similar comments about members of Congress and judiciary. This- from a man who studied the human brain.

It’s clear that the Muslim community in the US and globally cannot depend on politicians of any ilk to be fair and unbiased when it comes to true equality for them, their religion or any religion that doesn’t follow the ideals of the ruling class. So, show by example, practice the religion you love, and spread the world of the Islam you know and love.