Whom Shall I Vote For? That is the question American Arabs are asking and answering today.
No American candidate for the presidency should ever take the vote of any demographic group for granted, especially when the families and friends of that group overseas are under the threat of being killed by U.S.-supplied weapons. However, it’s not easy to determine who the majority of Arab Americans will support on November 5.
The Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump (78), is rolling the dice in hopes of reclaiming the White House. On the Democratic side, Vice President Kamala Harris (60) is making her case that she can connect with the aspirations of most Americans, Arab Americans in particular. Both sides have a fight on their hands.
Trump’s recent rally in Michigan was an attempt to win over the majority of Arab American voters. Billboards lining Michigan highways and campaign visits highlight Trump’s promise to “stand for peace” in the Middle East while casting Harris as one-sided and unsympathetic to Arab American interests.
However, Trump has not publicly announced a strategy for ending the war through a ceasefire if elected. In fact, he reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “Do what you have to do,” signaling support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. On the other hand, many Arab Americans are frustrated by what they see as insincerity from Vice President Kamala Harris on issues that matter to them.
A young Lebanese American voter from Tampa, Florida, Pierre Mokhtar, 26, shared his views on the election and who he’s voting for.
Mokhtar said, “The first time I ever voted was in 2016. I voted for Donald Trump. My intention is to vote for him again........