The Impact of the Arab-American Vote

While Arab-Americans only represent one percent of all voters nationally, their votes should not be ignored. Arab-Americans make up fairly significant parts of the population in many swing states, including Michigan, Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Furthermore, the recent War on Terror has stirred the emotions of many Arab-Americans, which may lead to a record voter turnout for the Arab-American demographic. With that being said, the Arab-American vote is expected to overwhelmingly favor John Kerry. In a poll taken in July, Kerry had a whopping 30 point lead over Bush in the Arab vote, but 20 percent are still undecided. Kerry received a near unanimous endorsement from the Arab American Political Action Committee, but this is more a result of anger towards Bush than it is from approval of Kerry. "The Arab community right now will be voting against Mr. Bush, not for Kerry," said the publisher of Arab American News, Osama Siblani. Arab-Americans are unhappy with Bush for the war he started, for cutting down on civil rights, and for allowing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to escalate. Kerry has not particularly impressed Arab voters, but, because of the strong anti-Bush sentiment that resonates through the Arab community, he won't have to.

Works Consulted
Arab-American Vote Key this Election. 10 Oct. 2004. Fox News. 10 Oct. 2003
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,134895,00.html.