Many people from an Arab or Muslim background who are American Citizens today really appreciate the American Values and Freedom. This is why they are living here in the USA (instead of living in a Muslim country) and why they are proud American Citizens. Many of these American Voters have realized that George W. Bush is the best president that America can have. They consider that George W. Bush is good for them, he is good for America, and he is good for bringing peace in the rest of the world.
Arab American Voters Overwhelmingly Back Kerry
By Rolando Garcia
Reuters.com
July 15, 2004
http://www.aaiusa.org/news/aainews071504.htm
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Concern about civil liberties and the war in Iraq have pushed President Bush'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.
In the poll, conducted between July 9 and 11, 13 percent supported independent candidate Ralph Nader, 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.
Ashcroft has been targeted by rights groups for security measures introduced since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, some of which have impacted Arab-Americans, and Cheney is criticized by opponents for unwavering support for invading Iraq.
Bush narrowly won the Arab-American vote in 2000, but 69 percent in the latest poll said Bush did not deserve to be re-elected, including 30 percent of those who identified themselves as Republicans.
Although they comprise only about one percent of the national electorate, the 500,000 Arab-Americans expected to vote in these four swing states could make the difference in a close race, especially in Michigan where they make up 5 percent of the overall electorate.
Bush spokesman Scott Stanzel said the campaign was actively courting Arab-Americans and that Bush's support for an independent Palestinian state and his promotion of democracy in the Middle East would resonate with those voters.
Topping the concerns of those polled were the economy, national security and health care, but nearly two-thirds also ranked Iraq and civil liberties as "very important" issues.
The Patriot Act, an anti-terrorism law critics say threatens Americans' civil liberties, and the war in Iraq are the main factors souring Arab-Americans on Bush, said Zogby, who is also a member of the Democratic National Committee.
More than half of respondents supporting Kerry said their main reason was dislike of Bush, rather than support for Kerry's policies.
The poll was conducted by Zogby International, which is owned by John Zogby, brother of James. It had a margin of error of 4.5 percent.