Some voters in the important swing state of Michigan are dissatisfied with Biden’s Middle East policy – they showed him that in the primary election. Nevertheless, his victory was safe – just like Trump’s with the Republicans.
“If we win Michigan, then we win the entire election,” said Donald Trump from Florida, commenting on his fifth primary victory in a row. He most recently won South Carolina, the home state of his only remaining rival Nikki Haley, last weekend.
Last night, as expected, there was also a clear triumph in Michigan: Unlike the four previous primaries, Trump wasn’t even there this time. He may also have been pleased that Joe Biden also secured Michigan, but with a bloody nose.
“Neutral” instead of Biden
“I checked ‘uncommitted’ and not Biden,” said Democratic regular voter Jo-Anne at her polling station in Ann Arbor. Because he is financing the “terrible war” in Israel.
“Uncommitted,” roughly translated as “neutral”: That was the political term of the day in Michigan. “Uncommitted” ticks those who can’t warm up to any candidate – or, as here, want to give the front-runner a lesson. In the case of Biden because of his Middle East policy.
With a count of 83 percent, around 14 percent of voters chose this option, according to the AP news agency.
“USA for the dignity of the Palestinians”
“It’s no longer just the Arab or Muslim electorate,” emphasized Democratic consultant Alencia Johnson on CNN. The progressive wing of the party had called for Biden to be given a lesson with as many “uncommitted” votes as possible and to urge him to take a tougher stance towards the Netanyahu government in Israel.
“It’s about reaffirming that the US stands on the side of human rights and stands up for the dignity of the Palestinians,” emphasized Abraham Aiyash. The Democrat is a representative in Michigan and the highest-ranking Muslim in the state legislature. The campaign he supports had the goal of setting an example with around ten thousand “uncommitted” votes: it impressively exceeded this goal many times over.
Every vote counts
And that is likely to make the Biden camp nervous: In the swing voter state of Michigan, votes in the five-digit range can be decisive in the presidential election. In 2016, Trump won here by 11,000 votes over Hillary Clinton; In 2020 he lost here to Biden, who had a lead of around 154,000 votes.
“Biden must now deliver aid to Gaza again, if necessary with the help of the US military,” advises Ro Khanna, Democratic congressman from California, in a CNN interview. “He must push for a permanent ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages.” This is the only way to win back the protest voters in Michigan and like-minded people in other states: the US President must remain in charge in the Middle East, given the massive military aid that America is providing the Israelis.
Super Tuesday on March 5th
It is now eagerly awaited whether Biden will make a significant change of course before the upcoming Super Tuesday: primaries will take place in a total of 15 states on March 5th. The date is also important for Donald Trump: Nikki Haley wants to know it one last time on Super Tuesday.
Sebastian Hesse, ARD Washington, tagesschau, February 28, 2024 5:37 a.m