Why are Michigan’s “uncommitted” voters challenging Joe Biden?

The Democratic primary organizers in Michigan are hoping that a high percentage of “uncommitted” votes will convey to Joe Biden and the Democrats that they disagree with their position on the Gaza crisis, which may have an impact on their support in the November election.

An important swing state is Michigan, where Arab and Muslim Americans comprise a sizable portion of the electorate.

This choice is a component of a movement against the party’s and the president’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The crowd erupts in cheers at a watch party hosted by Listen to Michigan, the organization driving the campaign, when spokesperson Abbas Alawieh declares that the number of votes cast as “uncommitted” has surpassed 11,000, accounting for more than 73% of the total vote so far reported. This is approximately equal to the margin of victory that Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton achieved in 2016, which was the group’s objective.

Alawieh said, “This is a resounding victory for our country’s pro-Palestinian, antiwar movement.”

Before the November election, Rep. Dean Phillips, the Democratic candidate with little chance of winning, told CNN that Biden’s problems go beyond the “uncommitted” vote in Michigan.

“I’ve been trying—albeit unsuccessfully—to wake my party up from its delusion about the president’s eligibility to run in this election for over eighteen months,” Phillips said.

In Michigan, the undecided vote isn’t even his greatest concern.

The campaign is not a first of its kind.
When there was only one contender on the ballot in 2012—President Barack Obama—”uncommitted” received almost 10% of the vote. Obama and Edwards withdrew their names from the race, and “uncommitted” finished second behind Clinton with almost 40% of the vote in 2008, the year the Democratic National Committee punished Michigan for pushing up their primary. The organizers said that this example served as inspiration.

Prior to tonight’s primary, the Biden team is cognizant of the attention that the “uncommitted” vote campaign is receiving in Michigan.

In addition to focusing on people who disagree with their stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Biden campaign will also stress that they are attempting to engage with other Michigan voters. They will emphasize their attempts to win over Black voters and women, who are critical to the Democratic base, as well as union supporters, with whom Biden spoke in Michigan last month.

Voters who lack commitment will bring the battle to Chicago.
Abraham Aiyash, the Democratic floor leader in the Michigan House of Representatives, said that his party will bring its anti-war campaign to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

He said, “We’re heading to Chicago.”

“We will be advancing and expanding this anti-war movement at the Democratic National Convention.”