Arab Americans Vote In Large Numbers

Juan Cole 11/02/2004

Arab-Americans vote in Large Numbers

I’m watching al-Jazeera, which is broadcasting from Dearborn. The guests are saying that the Arab-Americans came out to vote in very large numbers. A Chaldean Christian representative is saying that his community favors Bush, because his Iraq team is already in place, whereas Kerry would take six or seven months to get up to speed. A Shiite cleric is saying that his people will go for Kerry because Bush gave the Iraqis an occupation rather than liberation.

The general impression is that even Arab-American Republicans have turned against Bush.

About the Author

Juan Cole is the founder and chief editor of Informed Comment. He is Richard P. Mitchell Distinguished University Professor in the History Department at the University of Michigan He is author of, among many other books, Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires and The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Follow him on Twitter at @jricole or the Informed Comment Facebook Page