The poll results present important details about the Arab American community. It shows, for example, that are heavily immersed in the American political process and have strong party loyalties. At the same time the poll demonstrates that Arab Americans have strong views about Middle East issues which this year resulted in a shift in voting preferences for more than 25 percent of the over all community. Both elements, partisan activists and swing voters are important to the future of Arab American empowerment. Partisans ground the community in the process and provide continuity, leadership and access.
Swing voters are also an asset since they serve to create competition for Arab American votes.
There are those who do not understand or appreciate the complexity of the overall Arab American community. Arab Americans are from many countries, of many religions and many generations-but they still largely agree on several critical questions and identify as a community. What is more important is that in measuring the results of this poll against those of earlier polls, we find that the intensity of concern about issues and the feelings of identification as an Arab American community is, in fact, growing among the generation of Arab Americans who are born in the United States. It is important to keep all of this in mind as Arab Americans realistically plan their future political work. The important goal is to continue to forge a consensus on issues of concern and not to attempt to force agreement on candidates.