Netanyahu is ready to sacrifice Israel’s hard-won international legitimacy for his personal political needs. He will not hesitate to take Biden down with him. — Thomas Friedman, NYTimes 2.28.24
President Biden won Michigan’s general election, in 2020, by about 150,000 votes, and Mr. Trump carried it in 2016 by about 11,000 votes. Yesterday, 13 percent of democrat primary voters in Michigan voted “uncommitted.” And while people are mulling over the percentage of people who voted “uncommitted” this math doesn’t capture the substantial number of people who stayed home in protest. The number of democrats who voted in the 2024 primary was 757,209. In 2020 the total number of dems who voted in the primary was 1,584,397. What’s a hundred percent difference between friends?
There were a number of reasons we could muster up for the lower turnout. Yet, when you look at the 13% who voted “uncommitted” we must acknowledge many of the people who remained home did so because they couldn’t muster up the energy to vote for an administration who was supporting what is going on in Gaza. No they aren’t going to ever vote for Trump. But they aren’t getting out of bed to support Netanyahu’s proxy. And the protests of democrats in Michigan are certainly spreading to other states. We are kidding ourselves if we come up with a plan to address Michigan without applying the same plan to all states.
There are two battles which need to be lodged if Biden is going to get a second term — Trump and Netanyahu. And Netanyahu’s administration is already taking this battle on. In laying the embarrassing icing on thick, Ben Gvir put it so embarrassingly succinct, “we are not another star in the American flag." And the far right in Israel knows that Trump is going to do nothing to stop them. By battling a tepid Biden approach, Bibi gets to make points with his base by telling Biden to go screw and supports Trump — the coddler of dictators, the hater of judges. And if you doubt who Bibi is pulling for, Biden or Trump, we best remember his speech to congress in 2015.
If you doubt the damage this is causing Biden, go look to see what Trump has said about the war — little to nothing. In one of his rare comments, Trump has said that America should take a “hands-off” approach. Trump also suggested Israel do a better job with “public relations.” Clearly, Trump understands that Israel and Biden are getting hammered with the “public relations.” Trump likely giggles at the sucking noise Biden is going to hear as his base stays home. Trump understands that you serve your base red meat early and often. You don’t support a war which makes your base vote “uncommitted.”
The presidential election is going to be won/lost by a sliver. Statistically, and morally, the hardcore democrats, supporting Biden better let him know, loud and clear, abandon your support of the crazy Right-wing in Israel or get ready to lose. And tough words are not going to help. Historical, demonstrative, and actual U.S. government protest against the human tragedy in Gaza is needed.
And Biden doesn’t have months to straighten this out. The point of no return is days away. If you support Biden, let him know. Fix this now, not tomorrow. We love you, we are here for you, we want you to win. Don’t give anyone a reason to stay home. Serve your base some morally appropriate red meat.