Arab-American Voters Overwhelmingly Back Kerry

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Concern about civil liberties and the war in Iraq (news - web sites) have pushed President Bush (news - web sites)'s already low support among Arab-American voters in key battleground states even lower, a survey showed on Thursday.



In a poll of Arab-American voters in the key states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida only 24 percent said they would vote for Bush, a dip from 30 percent in April, while 51 percent supported Democratic nominee John Kerry (news - web sites).


In the poll, conducted between July 9 and 11, 13 percent supported independent candidate Ralph Nader (news - web sites), who is of Lebanese descent.


"Maybe if Bush said 'I'm sorry' and fired (Attorney General John) Ashcroft and (Vice President Dick) Cheney, that might make a difference," said James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, which commissioned the poll.

~snip~
more:http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=584&ncid=584&e=5&u=/nm/20040715/pl_nm/campaign_arabs_dc

[larryepke]

1. Sounds good...

but what kind of numbers does this represent? I know there's the greatest number of Arab-Americans in the Detroit area, and Toledo has a sizable Arab-American population, but really, does this really mean anything substantial?

[geek tragedy]

2. They went for Bush last time

If nothing else, Michigan is a lock for Kerry.

[MallRat]

8. I don't know. Maybe it's like the Jewish vote?

Jews make up only 2% of the voting-eligible population in the US, yet comprise nearly 4% of likely voters nationwide. In many battleground states, the Jewish vote can be as much as 5-6% of the total. 75-80% of that bloc has gone reliably to the Democrats in the last three Presidential elections.

Perhaps Arab-Americans will be similarly motivated this year and make the difference in Michigan and Ohio. A small demographic can have a disproportionate effect on the outcome if they turn out big at the polls.

-MR

[geek tragedy]

10. Just ask the Cubans.

Kerry will have to walk a tightrope between Arabs in Michigan and Jews in Florida.

[bluestateguy]

3. Bush can forget Michigan this year

And this helps Kerry in Florida too. The thing to watch, however, is will Kerry get the same percentage of Jewish votes as Gore did in 2000 (79%)? This could end up being a wash. I hope the exit pollsters pick up Arab voters this fall.

[Spangle]

7. Jewish Voters Didn't get their Vote counted and

Bush family has some nasty WWII connections that the Jews are not happy with.

I would be suprised if the Jews as a whole push for Bush. Only strict Republicans, and then "maybe."

[iconoclastic cat]

4. Those must be the domestic terrorists, right, Chimpy?

Nimrod.

[NMDemDist2]

5. bwhahahahaha I TOLD YA SO!!!

:bounce: :bounce:

[Literate Tar Heel]

6. RW spin:

the terra-ists are Arabs ... Arabs are for Kerry ... therefore the terra-ists are for Kerry ... we can't let the terra-ists win

[Qutzupalotl]

13. What to say back:

Al Qaeda endorsed Bush on March 17.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

14. ......................................

[Florida_Geek]

9. 80% of the 50,000 Muslim voters in Florida voted for Bush

in 2000. So this is very good for Kerry

[DaveSZ]

11. Kerry may gain some Arab votes, but he will lose some Jewish votes

I think.

:(

[DinahMoeHum]

12. You'd be surprised how many Jewish voters don't like Sharon

or support him. I doubt they'll vote for *.

:kick:

[REVOLT823]

15. I recently heard a poll done in Israel

that a large majority of the Israelis don't approve of Sharons plans, so I don't see how they would back Bush here in the U.S. where they aren't as conservative, but could be wrong. Also heard on NPR today that the Muslims are forming their own civil rights organization due to all the racism directed their way.

[goforit]

16. I should hope so!!!..Bush /Cheney has got ethnic cleansing on their mind

They're one scarey duo!!!

[struggle4progress]

17. kick

:kick: