Biden’s Support Drops Among Arab-Americans Amid Concerns Over War
New polling reveals that President Joe Biden’s support among Arab-Americans has dramatically plummeted, posing another demographic hurdle for his re-election campaign. The survey, conducted by the Arab American Institute, shows a significant decline in support, with only 17% of Arab-Americans expressing their intention to vote for Biden in the upcoming presidential election, compared to 59% in 2020. This reflects a remarkable 42% drop in support within the community. Furthermore, the president’s approval rating among Arab-Americans also saw a decline, falling from 74% to 29%.
James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute, referred to this shift as the most dramatic he has ever witnessed in such a short period of time. The decline in support is primarily attributed to the Arab-American community’s negative response to Biden’s positions and handling of the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. Concerns are mounting among foreign policy experts that this conflict could escalate into a larger regional and international crisis.
The Arab American Institute’s polling reveals that Biden’s support among Arab Americans has fallen by 45 points over the past three years. Notably, 18 points of that decline occurred between April and October 2023, following the renewed violence between Israel and Palestinians. Two-thirds of Arab voters expressed dissatisfaction with Biden’s handling of the conflict, contributing to their negative attitude towards the president.
Arab Americans are also grappling with the consequences of the conflict, facing renewed waves of discrimination. The survey found that 70% of Arab American Muslims reported experiencing discrimination, while 74% of all Arab Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 faced similar challenges.
The poll also carries significant implications for the Democratic Party’s ambitions to regain control of Congress in the upcoming elections. Historically, a majority of Arab voters identified themselves as Democrats. However, for the first time in 26 years, the survey shows that the majority no longer align themselves with the party. Only 23% of Arab voters currently identify as Democrats, compared to previous years when Arab Democrats outnumbered Republicans two to one. The number of Arab voters identifying as Republicans has risen to 32%, and a record 31% identify as independent.
These shifting dynamics could have a crucial impact on key battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan, where the Arab population accounted for 2% and 5% respectively. In the 2020 election, Biden won these states by thin margins of 1.2% and 2.8% respectively. The Arab-American vote in these states could potentially swing the election towards either party.
In light of the survey results, Arab Americans have indicated their preference for the Republican frontrunner, Donald Trump, over Biden in the 2024 presidential election. The poll found that 40% of Arab Americans would vote for Trump, while only 17% would support Biden.
As the 2024 election approaches, it is clear that Biden must address the concerns and disillusionment within the Arab-American community. Failure to do so could significantly impact his chances of securing their support and potentially influence the outcome of the election in crucial states.
