Arab Americans Shift Away From Nader, Toward Kerry

Arab American voters’ support of Sen. John F. Kerry has solidified as backing for independent candidate Ralph Nader has eroded, according to a poll released Tuesday by the Arab American Institute.

The poll, which surveyed 500 Arab American registered voters in the battleground states of Florida, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, showed Kerry with 54% of their support, President Bush with 28% and Nader with 3.5%. Nearly 15% of voters surveyed were undecided.

Kerry’s support among Arab Americans is his highest since the institute began conducting the polls in February.

Nader, a Lebanese American who at one point had 20% support among Arab American voters, will not appear on ballots in Ohio or Pennsylvania.

Nader’s “lower numbers are reflective of the fact that [Arab Americans] are beginning to make a choice,” said James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute. The poll was conducted by his brother, John.

Bush was once a favorite among Arab American voters, garnering 45.5% of their vote four years ago, according to exit polls.

During that campaign, Bush courted Arab American leaders and promised a crackdown on racial profiling of the group.

But the aftermath of Sept. 11, the Iraq war and heightened scrutiny of Arab Americans under the Patriot Act have alienated many in the group and diminished their support of the president.

“There is a shift. No doubt there is a shift,” James Zogby said. “I’ve actually never seen anything quite like it.”

The Bush campaign says Arab Americans remain an important constituency.

“We were honored to have the support of Arab Americans and Muslim Americans in 2000, and we’re working very hard to maintain and build upon that support,” campaign spokesman Scott Stanzel said.

Arab Americans number 1.2 million nationwide, according to census data, with many in swing states.

The Arab American Institute estimates that half a million likely Arab American voters combined live in the swing states of Michigan, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania.