Ron Paul Could Capitalize on Michigan Primary Gaffes

There will be a low voter turnout.  Those who are likely to show will be the type of outspoken supporters that have made Ron Paul a viable candidate in the race for President of the United States as opposed to those just voting on the individual perceived as "more electable". 

At stake: 30 GOP delegates; 0 Democratic delegates. Because Michigan broke party rules by moving up its primary, it has been stripped of half its GOP delegates and all its Democratic ones. Leaders of both state parties expect to regain the lost delegates at their respective conventions, but Barack Obama and John Edwards pulled their names off the ballots. 

Another potential jolt for the Paul campaign: Because the Democratic ballot will not count, Michigan's large Arab community (mostly ignored) will likely sway towards the Texas Congressman.  The Midwestern state boasts the most organized Arab community in the United States and is a key proving ground for the Republican candidates.  500,000 Arab Americans (or 5 percent of the total population) estimated by the Arab American Institute live in Michigan

"The Bush administration has alienated Arab Americans," said Osama Siblani, president of the Dearborn-based Arab American Political Action Committee, pointing to policies on the Middle East and the War on Terror.

Siblani said that Libertarian candidate and Texas Representative Ron Paul, who has issued scorching denouncements of Bush and his Mideast policy, will probably be the GOP candidate to attract the largest number of Arab votes.

Polls showed Paul in high single digits.  He was listed with +2500 odds to win Michigan at Sportsbook.com.