Why Is Kerry Losing Arab-American Support? Dr. James Zogby, Arab News

[Gloria]

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=51795&d=22&m=9&y=2004


Why Is Kerry Losing Arab-American Support?
Dr. James Zogby, Arab News

WASHINGTON, 22September 2004 —

SNIP


The most recent Zogby poll of Arab-American voters in key battleground states shows that while John Kerry still leads George Bush, his lead has been cut almost in half. In July, for example, Arab-American voters gave Kerry a 54 to 24 point lead over the incumbent President. By September, that lead had shrunk to 49 percent for Kerry and to 31.5 percent for Bush.

(SNIP)

What they wanted was a challenger with a message as clear as their anger. Some are not finding that in John Kerry’s message. And so it appears that what is happening among Arab-Americans is happening among many other potential Kerry supporters around the country. And this is why the Kerry campaign’s sluggish performance among Arab-Americans can be said to send an important warning signal.

Recall that Arab-Americans gave a slight plurality of their votes to Bush in2000 . Today, almost 70 percent of Arab-Americans want a change in the White House. But if only 49 percent of Arab-Americans see Kerry as bringing the change they want, then there’s trouble ahead.

There are still six weeks to go before the election and a great deal can change. But if Kerry is to energize his base and regain lost ground, then his campaign should pay attention to all the canaries that have stopped singing.



— Dr. James J. Zogby is the president of Arab American Institute. For comments or information, contact [e-mail] or http://www.aaiusa.org

[Kahuna]

1. Now that Kerry has stated clearly and plainly that he WOULD NOT

have invaded Iraq, his Arab American support should return.

[zulchzulu]

2. I heard an interview with Zogby about this issue

Frankly, I was puzzled by the idea that Kerry is somehow not paying attention to Arab-Americans.

If you look at his record and see/read his speeches, he is utterly committed to civil rights for ALL people.

I'm not sure Kerry should don an Arabian Gulf Style Dishdash or a Kufis to prove that he's for Arab Americans. Should he take up playing a mijwiz?

Chill out...