Arab residents we spoke to support Obama, but with some skepticism

On a Tuesday evening in Dearborn Heights, Mich., I asked people on the street their opinion on Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s visit to the Middle East. The Dearborn area has one of the largest Arab-American populations in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

I wanted to know if they thought the extended, multination visit would help the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan by reversing President Bush’s policy, if it would change Obama’s platform on troop withdrawal from Iraq, or if they thought it was all a big publicity stunt.

Continued – Most people said they were for Obama and his trip, but some were skeptical of his political promises. One man, Mahmoud Nasser of Dearborn Heights, who did not want his response on camera, had a very solemn air when he spoke about both presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain and Obama.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for [Obama] to go over there. It shows he’s a rookie, and it’s all a big photo op. What’s happening there is beyond him.

He and his wife chuckled when I asked if he thought McCain would do a better job.

“Just because [McCain] was captured 30 years ago doesn’t mean he’s credentialed and experienced enough to run the country,” Nasser said. “I’m not voting in this election.”

The rest of the people Michigan Messenger spoke to had different takes on the situation, but some skepticism was also evident in their responses.