Biden hindered by ‘uncommitted’ votes in 7 states on Super Tuesday
President Joe Biden Faces Growing Concern for 2024 White House Bid
President Joe Biden, as expected, easily won on Super Tuesday, but he couldn’t avoid a rising worry for his 2024 White House campaign: ”uncommitted” votes protesting his handling of the situation in Gaza and beyond.
Last Tuesday, in Michigan, over 100,000 Democrats voted for “uncommitted” instead of Biden, making up 13.2% of all ballots cast in that contest.
Biden once again encountered a significant number of protest votes on Tuesday night. Out of the 15 states and territories voting on Super Tuesday, seven had options for “uncommitted,” “no preference,” or “noncommitted delegate” on the ballot, and most saw a notable increase in those non-Biden votes compared to the 2020 primaries and caucuses.
Concerning Margins in Key States
Biden’s most concerning margin appeared in North Carolina, a critical swing state that he lost in 2020 but Democrats believe is highly winnable in 2024 following the Supreme Court’s 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade. With about 90% of the vote counted, 12.5% of Democrats voted for “no preference” on Tuesday night, compared to 1.64% in 2020.
Minnesota saw the largest jump in “uncommitted” Democratic primary votes, skyrocketing from 0.35% in 2020 to 20% in 2024 with about three-fourths of the vote counted.
In Alabama, 6% of Democratic voters supported “uncommitted” with three-fourths of the votes counted, up from less than 1% in 2020.
Colorado did not offer an uncommitted option in 2020, yet 7% of Democratic primary participants voted for “noncommitted delegate” in 2024 with over three-fourths of the vote counted.
Iowa, a state where Biden placed a distant fourth in the previous cycle, saw 3.9% of caucusgoers backing “uncommitted” this year compared to just 0.82% in 2020.
Nearly 10% of Massachusetts Democrats voted for “no preference” over Biden with about half the votes counted, while that same option received less than a half-percentage point in the last cycle.
Tennessee witnessed 8% of Democrats voting “uncommitted” on Tuesday night with 80% of the vote counted, up from 0.23% in 2020.
Michigan, with one of the largest Arab and Muslim American populations in the country, saw a decline in support for Biden due to his stance on Israel’s offensive. The Biden campaign and White House have been engaging in conversations with Arab and Muslim American community leaders to address concerns and are actively pushing for a ceasefire ahead of Ramadan in March.
Addressing the Protest Vote
The Biden campaign and White House are downplaying the protest vote in Michigan, emphasizing their efforts to engage with the Arab and Muslim American community and work towards a resolution. They are committed to listening and finding a two-state solution.
Democratic strategists believe that the crowded 2020 primary field contributed to the low number of ”uncommitted votes” and anticipate that the Democratic base will ultimately rally behind Biden when faced with the alternative presented by likely Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, in the general election.
“The president hears the voters participating in the uncommitted campaigns,” said Biden campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt. “He shares their goal for an end to the violence and a just, lasting peace — and he’s working tirelessly to that end.”
Biden is likely to face similar protest votes in the upcoming Democratic primaries in Georgia and Washington on March 12.
*EDITOR’S NOTE: Primary votes were still being calculated as of Tuesday night and will be updated.
Why did the number of protest votes in Aucus increase significantly in the 2024 Democratic primaries compared to 2020?
Aucus, saw a significant increase in protest votes as well. About 9% of Democratic voters chose ”uncommitted” in 2024, compared to only 0.9% in 2020.
Reasons for Concern
These growing numbers of protest votes raise concerns for President Biden’s 2024 White House bid. They highlight a dissatisfaction among Democratic voters with his handling of various issues, particularly regarding the situation in Gaza. Many voters believe that Biden has not been proactive enough in finding a peaceful resolution and addressing the root causes of the conflict.
Furthermore, some voters may also be expressing disappointment with Biden’s overall performance as president. They may believe that he has failed to deliver on his campaign promises and hasn’t shown strong leadership on crucial issues like the economy and healthcare.
Potential Impact on Biden’s Campaign
The increasing number of protest votes against Biden could have a significant impact on his 2024 campaign. If this trend continues and spreads to other states, it could undermine his chances of securing the Democratic nomination and weaken his position in the general election.
These protest votes also provide an opportunity for other Democratic candidates to gain momentum and challenge Biden for the party’s nomination. If a viable alternative emerges, it could split the Democratic vote and make it more challenging for Biden to secure the nomination.
Addressing Concerns and Winning Back Support
President Biden and his campaign team need to address these concerns head-on and find effective ways to win back the support of disgruntled voters. They must articulate a clear vision for the future and present concrete plans to address the issues that have led to this growing discontent.
Biden needs to demonstrate strong leadership and take decisive actions to address the situation in Gaza and other pressing matters. He must also work towards delivering on his promises and making significant progress on critical issues like healthcare and the economy.
Furthermore, Biden should actively engage with Democratic voters and listen to their concerns. Holding town hall meetings, participating in debates, and addressing voters directly can help bridge the gap and rebuild trust.
Conclusion
The growing concern for President Biden’s 2024 White House bid, as reflected in the increasing number of protest votes, highlights the challenges he faces in securing the Democratic nomination and winning the general election. To overcome these obstacles, Biden must address the concerns of dissatisfied voters, demonstrate strong leadership, and deliver on his promises. Only then can he regain their support and strengthen his chances of a successful campaign in 2024.
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