Protest vote gains momentum in Michigan, posing challenges for Biden
Michigan Democrats Vote “Uncommitted” in Protest of Israeli Ceasefire
In a bold move, over 100,000 Michigan Democrats cast their votes as “uncommitted” in the recent presidential primary. This protest vote was organized by anti-Israel activists who aimed to pressure President Joe Biden into calling for a ceasefire in Israel.
The outcome of this vote is concerning for the Biden campaign and highlights the growing anti-Israel sentiment within the Democratic party.
The “Listen to Michigan” campaign, led by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.), encouraged anti-Israel voters to choose “uncommitted” instead of voting for Biden in the primary. Tlaib’s sister spearheaded the campaign, which included phone banks and statewide organizing efforts.
While it remains unclear how many voters were expressing their opposition to Israel, the pro-Gaza protest organizers will likely view this vote as a victory. Biden received 81 percent of the vote, while “uncommitted” garnered 13 percent.
The goal of the anti-Israel activists was to demonstrate their political power and push Biden into supporting a ceasefire. Michigan, with its significant Arab population, was seen as a crucial state where support for Gaza could impact the election outcome.
Michigan is a key state for Biden to secure the presidency, and a significant boycott by Arab-American voters during the general election could jeopardize his chances.
Surpassing the organizers’ claimed goal of 10,000 votes, the “uncommitted” campaign received over 100,000 votes—a number that political experts consider substantial compared to past Democratic primaries.
According to the Michigan secretary of state’s office, “uncommitted” received approximately 19,000 votes in 2020, 22,000 votes in 2016, and 21,000 votes in 2012.
Michigan is home to over 300,000 Arab Americans, making it one of the largest populations outside of the Middle East. David Dulio, director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Oakland University, emphasized the potential impact of this campaign, stating, “It’s big enough to cause a lot of trouble for the Biden campaign.”
However, Dulio believes that the campaign needed to garner support from at least 10 or 15 percent of the electorate to claim true success—a benchmark that it did achieve.
The last significant campaign to mobilize “uncommitted” voters in Michigan’s Democratic primary occurred in 2008 when over 230,000 Democratic voters, around 40 percent of the electorate, chose “uncommitted” to show their support for then-presidential candidate Barack Obama, who was not on the state’s ballot.
Recent polls indicate a growing shift among Democrats, with more favoring Palestinians over Israelis in the Middle East conflict, according to a Gallup poll conducted last spring.
White House officials met with pro-Hamas activists in Dearborn, Mich., this month in an attempt to address concerns that Biden has not shown enough support for Gaza. At least seven Biden officials held discussions with Osama Siblani, publisher of the Michigan-based Arab American News, who has praised Hamas and Hezbollah as “freedom fighters,” as reported by the Free Beacon.
What role did the “Listen to Michigan” campaign, led by Rep. Rashida Tlaib, play in organizing this protest vote?
Icans could have serious implications for his campaign. This protest vote highlights the divide within the Democratic Party when it comes to their stance on Israel.
The “Listen to Michigan” campaign, led by Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a vocal critic of Israel, played a major role in organizing this protest vote. Tlaib’s sister spearheaded the campaign, which utilized phone banks and statewide organizing efforts to encourage voters to choose “uncommitted” instead of voting for Biden. This campaign targeted anti-Israel voters and aimed to pressure Biden into supporting a ceasefire in Israel.
While the exact number of voters expressing their opposition to Israel through this vote is unclear, organizers of the protest will likely perceive it as a victory. Biden ultimately received 81 percent of the vote, but “uncommitted” garnered 13 percent. This sizable percentage shows that there is a significant portion of Michigan Democrats who are dissatisfied with Biden’s stance on Israel.
The significance of Michigan in this protest vote cannot be understated. With its substantial Arab population, support for Gaza could sway the election outcome in this crucial state. Biden needs to secure Michigan to secure the presidency, and a significant boycott by Arab-Americans could have detrimental effects on his campaign.
This vote and the growing anti-Israel sentiment within the Democratic Party raise concerns for the Biden campaign. It is crucial for Biden to assess the concerns of these voters and take steps to address them effectively. By engaging with anti-Israel activists and finding a way to bridge the divide, Biden can maintain the support he needs to win in November.
Overall, the protest vote by Michigan Democrats choosing “uncommitted” highlights the lingering tension and division within the Democratic Party when it comes to Israel. This vote serves as a wake-up call for the Biden campaign, emphasizing the importance of addressing the concerns of anti-Israel activists and working towards a resolution that satisfies both sides. Failure to do so could have serious consequences for Biden’s campaign and broader party unity.
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