U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump each secured overwhelming victories in the Democratic and Republican presidential primaries held in Michigan on the 27th (local time), setting the stage for a rematch in November as expected. However, in the Democratic primary, Arab Americans have cast a flood of 'uncommitted' votes in protest against the Biden administration's support for Israel, signaling warning signs for President Biden's reelection bid.
Biden Wins Democratic Primary, Trump Sweeps Republican Primary
According to AP News and others, President Biden recorded 80.1% of the vote with 31% of ballots counted. His competitors, Marianne Williamson and Dean Phillips, received 3% and 2.8% respectively. With virtually no intra-party competition, this was a predictable landslide. Former President Trump also continued his undefeated streak in the Republican primary, securing 67.0% of the vote with 41% of ballots counted. The only remaining challenger, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, trailed with 27.9% support.
Accordingly, barring any surprises, the two former and current presidents are set for a rematch in the November general election. Biden and Trump are expected to secure the delegates needed to officially clinch their party nominations as early as mid-March.
Local media, including AP News, reported that as soon as voting ended at 9 p.m. Eastern Time across all Michigan precincts, both Biden and Trump were declared winners. Trump stated, "If we win Michigan, we win it all," adding, "Our simple goal is to win on November 5." President Biden has yet to release any official statement.
Flood of 'Uncommitted' Votes...Biden Faces Arab American Discontent
One of the early focal points ahead of this primary was how many 'uncommitted' votes would be cast within the Democratic Party. In Michigan, home to a large Arab American population, a campaign encouraging 'uncommitted' votes has been underway as a protest against the Biden administration's support for Israel.
Notably, the 'uncommitted' votes revealed on this day confirm the alienation of Arab American voters from President Biden. With 31% of votes counted, the 'uncommitted' tally exceeds 40,000 votes, far surpassing the 10,000 votes targeted by the campaign group 'Listen to Michigan.' For context, in the 2016 presidential election, Trump's margin of victory over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in Michigan was 11,000 votes.
The Washington Post (WP) reported, "Democratic leaders have begun to worry about Biden's chances of winning Michigan, which has the largest Arab American and Muslim populations," adding, "They express deep anger and a sense of betrayal over Biden's support for Israel's military operations in Gaza, which have claimed around 30,000 lives." The Guardian also noted, "While Biden faces no major challengers in this primary, his victory could be undermined by backlash from Arab Americans and young voters." Michigan is considered one of the key battleground states that will determine the outcome of the presidential election.
Trump's Weaknesses Persist...Gap with Haley Falls Short of Expectations
Former President Trump, who continues his undefeated streak, also confirmed persistent anti-Trump weaknesses in this primary. Although the final results are not yet in, the current gap in support between Trump and Haley is much narrower than initially expected. Previously, congressional media outlet The Hill estimated through polling analysis that Trump led Haley by 48.7 percentage points in Michigan.
For Trump's camp, which has already moved beyond the primary to prepare for the general election, the fact that anti-Trump votes still account for 30% even in a battleground state is a concern.
Haley also claimed that the Michigan primary results reveal weaknesses for both Trump and Biden. This is interpreted as her assertion that she would be more competitive than Trump in a one-on-one matchup against Biden. Olivia Perez-Cubas, a spokesperson for the Haley campaign, stated in a press release, "As long as Trump leads, the Republican Party will continue to lose to the socialist left." However, pressure for Haley to withdraw within the Republican Party is expected to persist.
The New York Times (NYT) reported, "Both Biden and Trump won in Michigan," but added, "The results show how both candidates continue to face ongoing vulnerabilities within their parties."
Meanwhile, 81-year-old President Biden joked about former President Trump on NBC's late-night show aired that day, saying, "He's as old as I am." This was a jab at Trump's age, a concern among American voters. Biden said, "He's about as old as me, but he can't remember his wife's name," adding, "What matters is how old a person's mind is." Trump, who is four years younger than Biden, was recently reported to have mistakenly called his wife Melania by the wrong name at a conservative event.
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