Nader shouldn't withdraw from the battleground states unless and until the Democrats begin to make concrete changes in the electoral system that will improve third-parties' chances. Under no circumstances should he withdraw from the uncontested states.
>Even if I'm wrong, I know very few Nader supporters who will
>actually vote for him. I totally support his presence in this
>election, but I am going to vote for Kerry.
Many Arab-Americans, whose votes are concentrated in the key swing states of Michigan, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, will actually vote for Ralph Nader -- probably in a higher proportion than they did (13.5%, <http://www.aaiusa.org/PDF/AAvoters.pdf>) in 2004:
***** MI, FL, OH, PA Arab American Tracking Poll Reveals: Nader Cutting Kerry Support, Bush Job Performance Hits All-Time Low 3/10/2004 11:41:00 AM
To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor
Contact: Jennifer Salan or Rebecca Abou-Chedid, 202-429-9210, jsalan at aaiusa.org or rabouchedid at aaiusa.org, both of the Arab American Institute; http://www.aaiusa.org
News Advisory:
The Arab American Institute (AAI) will conduct a press briefing on Friday, March 12, at 10 a.m. to release results of its first-ever monthly tracking poll of Arab Americans. The poll will track Arab American voter preferences in the key swing states of Michigan, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania through Election Day 2004. Arab Americans in the four states represent a likely voter turnout of more than 510,000 voters (235,000 in Michigan, 120,000 in Florida, 85,000 in Ohio, and 75,000 in Pennsylvania). Zogby International interviewed 501 Arab American registered voters at the end of February who indicated a likelihood to vote in 2004.
Early results reveal that Ralph Nader's candidacy, while drawing potential voters from both President George Bush and Senator John Kerry in key swing states, has a significant impact on Arab American support for Kerry among both Democrats and Republicans who indicated that they would otherwise support Kerry. President Bush's overall job approval rating, 38 percent in January, has now dropped to an all-time low. Among the issues deemed to be "very important" in determining their vote, were Middle East policy issues including Iraq and the Arab-Israeli conflict.
"Arab Americans are concentrated in the must-win states of Michigan, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Historically we vote in higher numbers than average Americans. With the nation almost evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, no vote can be taken for granted. In the past, some campaigns avoided and even rejected Arab Americans and discussing our issues. That won't work in 2004," said AAI President Dr. James Zogby.
WHO: AAI President James Zogby
WHAT: Results of first-ever monthly tracking poll of Arab American registered voters in Michigan, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania
WHEN: Friday, March 12, 10 a.m.
WHERE: AAI, 1600 K St. NW (corner 16th & K, entrance on 16th across St. Regis Hotel) Suite 601
CONTACT: Jennifer Salan or Rebecca Abou-Chedid 202-429-9210, jsalan at aaiusa.org or rabouchedid at aaiusa.org
------
Founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is a nonprofit organization committed to the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent. AAI provides policy, research and public affairs services to support a broad range of community activities.
<http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=118-03102004> *****
Will John Kerry do _anything_ to win Arab-American votes? He would rather lose than do anything for Iraqis, Palestinians, and other Arabs.
Meanwhile, a slightly higher proportion of Blacks and Latinos support Nader than whites do:
***** Investor's Business Daily/Christian Science Monitor poll conducted by TIPP, the polling arm of TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence. March 1-7, 2004. N=828 registered voters nationwide.
"If the 2004 election for United States president were held today and the following were candidates for whom would you vote? Would you say Democrat John Kerry, Republican George W. Bush or independent Ralph Nader?"
George W. Bush John Kerry Ralph Nader Not Sure
% % % % ALL 41 44 6 8 Northeast 34 48 10 8 Midwest 39 47 4 10 South 44 41 6 7 West 44 42 6 7 Men 46 38 8 7 Women 37 50 4 8 Whites 46 40 6 7 Blacks & 21 62 7 9 Hispanics
<http://www.pollingreport.com/wh04gen.htm> ***** -- Yoshie
* Bring Them Home Now! <http://www.bringthemhomenow.org/> * Calendars of Events in Columbus: <http://sif.org.ohio-state.edu/calendar.html>, <http://www.freepress.org/calendar.php>, & <http://www.cpanews.org/> * Student International Forum: <http://sif.org.ohio-state.edu/> * Committee for Justice in Palestine: <http://www.osudivest.org/> * Al-Awda-Ohio: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Al-Awda-Ohio> * Solidarity: <http://www.solidarity-us.org/>