President Joe Biden won the Michigan Democratic primary on Tuesday, but over 100,000 voters cast their ballots for “uncommitted” in an organized campaign protesting U.S. support for Israel’s assault on Gaza. The major battleground state is home to one of the largest Arab American populations in the country, but the movement to vote “uncommitted” is now expected to spread to other states, including Minnesota and Washington. “I’ve rarely seen such an organic and authentic movement come together,” says former Democratic congressmember from Michigan Andy Levin. “We really need actual change in policy, and I think we sent that message strongly last night.” President of the Arab American Institute James Zogby says that Democratic voters need a reason to come out to the polls. “We gave them a reason with 'uncommitted.' Joe Biden’s got to give them a reason in November,” says Zogby. “There is genocide unfolding. People want it to end. The president either is going to have to act decisively to end it, or it’s going to have an impact in November.”

President Joe Biden won the Michigan Democratic primary on Tuesday, but over 100,000 voters cast their ballots for “uncommitted” in an organized campaign protesting U.S. support for Israel’s assault on Gaza. The major battleground state is home to one of the largest Arab American populations in the country, but the movement to vote “uncommitted” is now expected to spread to other states, including Minnesota and Washington. “I’ve rarely seen such an organic and authentic movement come together,” says former Democratic congressmember from Michigan Andy Levin. “We really need actual change in policy, and I think we sent that message strongly last night.” President of the Arab American Institute James Zogby says that Democratic voters need a reason to come out to the polls. “We gave them a reason with ‘uncommitted.’ Joe Biden’s got to give them a reason in November,” says Zogby. “There is genocide unfolding. People want it to end. The president either is going to have to act decisively to end it, or it’s going to have an impact in November.”

  • snipgan@kbin.social
    1·
    8 months ago

    Not a huge deal when compared to the last primary for a incumbent democrat president getting similar enough results.

    For reference in 2012 with Obama, who had no opponents in the primary, got ~11% undecided in around 195,000 votes.

    Whereas Biden got 13.2% undecided, while facing Dean Philips and Marianne Williamson, with way more voters with 760,000+ this time.

    So, a difference of ~2%-2.5% with conditions not related to the protest boosting those numbers. Not much to write home about I would say, but something Biden still has to focus on to help himself regardless.

    Doesn’t really mean much considering most would probably vote for for Biden anyway, seeing how this is more of a protest vote and Trump being the challenger again. And Trump being worse for not just Gaza but women’s rights, trans people, and the general state of Democracy in this country.