The Arab-American Vote

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There are 3.5 million Arab-Americans. They are 1% of the U.S. population and they comprise 5% of Michigan’s population. An article by Scott MacLeod in Time-Blog explores the findings of the Zogby International poll for the Arab-American Institute. Dr. James J. Zogby is founder and president of the Arab American Institute (AAI), so there appears to be a vested interest in the poll outcomes.

Arab-Americans were far more likely to support Obama if they were Muslim. Muslim respondents picked Obama over McCain by a whopping 84%-4%, while Orthodox Christians chose Obama by 47%-43% and Catholic Arab-Americans actually favored McCain over Obama, by 53% to 31%.

An analysis of the poll breakdown indicated that Obama’s lead was “somewhat soft” except among Muslims.

Arab-Americans were far more likely to support Obama if they were Muslim. Muslim respondents picked Obama over McCain by a whopping 84%-4%, while Orthodox Christians chose Obama by 47%-43% and Catholic Arab-Americans actually favored McCain over Obama, by 53% to 31%.

According to an article in CQ Politics, Arab –Americans and Muslim Americans are proud that Obama’s middle name is Hussein. Here is what Zogby told a crowd of Arab –Americans and Muslim Americans:

“Be proud of America when Barack Hussein Obama is nominated to be president of the United States,” James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute (AAI) and a former deputy campaign manager of Jesse Jackson’s 1984 presidential run, told the crowd between acts at a comedy club event Aug. 25 at Bar Standard.

See the Barack Obama Arab-American bumper stickers at Café Press

"All 3 of Obama's names are Arab. Obama is much more Arab than african so he really is the Arab American candidate. Arab's in America may now have representation. Israel is certainly well represented."

See Arab Americans For Obama

We are a community of Arab Americans who are working nationwide to elect Senator Barack Obama the next President of our nation. We believe in Senator Obama's message of hope, action and change. We believe that Senator Obama has the judgment to lead and the courage to renew America's promise.

See Aljazeera article Arab-Americans ‘backing Obama ‘