Ahead of the November US Election
Warning to Biden Administration in Democratic Primary
from Arab American Communities with Large Populations
"Victory could be rendered meaningless." "Arab American and young voters are expressing deep anger and betrayal." Ahead of the U.S. presidential election this November, the Democratic primary held on the 27th (local time) in Michigan saw a flood of 'uncommitted' votes. This is a reaction by Arab Americans protesting the Biden administration's support for Israel, serving as a kind of warning.
According to AP News and others, President Biden recorded 80.7% of the vote with 42% of the ballots counted. He won by a landslide as expected, with virtually no major competitors. However, what draws attention in this Democratic primary is not Biden's victory but the 'uncommitted' votes. In Michigan, where many Arab Americans reside, a campaign encouraging 'uncommitted' voting has been ongoing as a form of protest against the Biden administration's support for Israel. Therefore, this primary has been regarded as a test to gauge Arab American public sentiment.
With 42% of the votes counted, the 'uncommitted' votes have reached a staggering 13.5%, exceeding 52,000 votes. This far surpasses the original goal of 10,000 votes set by the campaign group 'Listen to Michigan.' For context, in the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump won Michigan by a margin of 11,000 votes over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
The results of the day are seen as a clear confirmation of the resentment among Muslims in the U.S. toward President Biden, who has fully supported and backed Israel. Michigan, considered one of the key battleground states that can decide the outcome of the presidential election, has a Muslim population ratio (2.4%) more than double the national average (1.1%). Notably, these Muslim voters played a crucial role in Biden's victory over former President Trump in the last election.
The Washington Post (WP) reported, "Democratic leaders have begun to worry about President Biden's chances of winning the election in Michigan, where the largest populations of Arab Americans and Muslims reside," adding, "They express deep anger and betrayal over Biden's support for Israel's military operations in Gaza, which have claimed around 30,000 lives." The Guardian also noted, "President Biden has no major competitors in this primary," but warned, "His victory could be overshadowed by the backlash from Arab Americans and young voters."
The campaign group Listen to Michigan condemns the large-scale casualties in Gaza caused by Israeli airstrikes and demands that the U.S. halt military aid to Israel. Rayya Erabeh of Listen to Michigan stated, "President Biden risks losing Michigan in November," adding, "The numbers after the primary will be important enough for President Biden to listen to Michigan's voice."
Accordingly, it is anticipated that President Biden will have to adjust his policies away from a solely pro-Israel stance to appease Arab Americans and progressive voters. His earlier warning at a press conference that Israel's attacks on Hamas were excessive is seen as part of this context. Former Democratic Congressman Andy Levin warned, "If President Biden does not change his (Middle East policy) course, it will be very difficult or impossible to defeat former President Trump."
Meanwhile, in the Republican primary held simultaneously in Michigan on the same day, former President Donald Trump won as expected. With 56% of the votes counted, Trump secured 67.5% of the vote, continuing his undefeated streak in the primaries. The only remaining competitor, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, garnered 27.3%, falling short. However, this margin is smaller than initially expected, indicating that nearly 30% of the party remains firmly anti-Trump.
Unless there are surprises, a rematch between the two former and current presidents is expected in the November election. Biden and Trump are anticipated to secure the delegates needed to confirm their candidacies as early as mid-March.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
