Social conservatism and anti-Communism had Arabs (Muslim and Christian) strongly Republican prior to 2001.
Wow, that's so obvious that it's easy to overlook. I'd still expect Arabs in Dearborn to be fairly Democratic because of their industry though.
This swing reminds me of the gigantic Hasidic swings in New York. Looks like everything balanced out. Kerry lost one group of voters so he could gain another. Except Democrats gained Arabs as a permanent base. Between 2000 and 2006 Dearborn went from giving Stabenow 43.5% to giving her 59.8% with the biggest swings being in Arab precincts.
Isnt Spencer Abraham of Arab ancestry?