By Chethana Janith, Jadetimes News
Whether It’s Biden or Someone Else, Gaza Remains Top Priority for 'Uncommitted' Voters: Activists Who Protested Biden’s Handling of the War During Democratic Primaries Say They Will Maintain Pressure No Matter the Nominee
As Democrats nationwide pressure President Joe Biden to abandon his reelection bid, voters aligned with the “uncommitted” movement protest his handling of the war in Gaza crisis. They refuse to support any nominee who doesn’t commit to a permanent ceasefire.
“I think it would be a big mistake for the Democratic Party to switch gears but stay the course on this particular issue that has galvanized so many people in an unprecedented way,” said Halah Ahmad, a policy analyst and spokesperson with Listen to Wisconsin. “They should let that policy die with this administration and move towards being a party that stands by its actual values, which are meant to be anti-war, pro-peace, and pro-human rights — in direct contrast to everything a Trump candidacy stands for.”
The anti-war movement to vote “uncommitted” instead of supporting Biden took off earlier this year ahead of Michigan’s Democratic primary in February. Advocates for the protest vote later launched chapters in other critical swing states, including Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, garnering more than half a million votes in over a dozen primaries. The movement has secured support for at least 25 delegates at the upcoming Democratic National Convention.
Activists told The Intercept they will advocate for an anti-war agenda at the convention in August and withhold their vote in November unless an adequate candidate steps up. They list policy priorities such as support for a permanent ceasefire and opposition to the pro-Israel lobby.
Despite the Biden campaign's insistence that he will not step aside, many Democrats appear to be lining up behind Vice President Kamala Harris as an alternative candidate, with some Democratic governors being floated as well.
“My No. 1 criteria for any candidate is opposing the genocide in Gaza,” said Saad Farooq, an uncommitted voter in Massachusetts. Farooq doubts the Democratic National Committee would select any candidate who takes a stance against Israel’s ongoing war. He would support Green Party candidate Jill Stein if she were on the ballot in Massachusetts.
Cole Sandick, who left his primary ballot in New York blank, said his apprehension over supporting Biden stemmed entirely from his handling of the war on Gaza. “The rest of his presidency has been imperfect but better than I thought it was going to be, and I was fully on board to vote for him prior to October 7,” Sandick wrote. “All I want from an alternative candidate is simply some moderation on this issue. Some commitment to a ceasefire, some recognition of the carnage, and some concern for civil liberties.”
Sandick said he would support Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer or Harris. “Nominating Biden at this point is a death sentence.”
Shaneez Hameed, an uncommitted voter in California, also said the war in Gaza is a red line for him. “Any new candidate will have to stop the genocide in Palestine and be open to making changes with the Supreme Court and filibuster,” Hameed wrote. “Or else, nothing changes, and there is no point in voting.”
Hameed mentioned Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., as a candidate who might fit the bill, but conceded that there is no “realistic chance of him being nominated.” Hameed said he wasn’t familiar with Harris’s policies, “but if she even entertains the idea of a ceasefire, I will vote.”
Harris reportedly pushed the White House to be more sympathetic toward Palestinian suffering in public statements about the war. In March, Harris called for an “immediate ceasefire” and urged Israel to increase aid to Gaza. “No excuses,” she said. However, reports surfaced that National Security Council officials had watered down parts of her speech.
“We have to have a goal that we start working on right now, for peace and for an equal measure of security for Israelis and Palestinians,” Harris said later that month. “Palestinians have a right to self-determination and dignity, and we’re going to have to work on that.”
For some activists, Harris’s association with Biden makes her candidacy a nonstarter. Mohamed Hussein, an uncommitted voter in Minnesota, said he didn’t want anyone from the current administration replacing Biden. “I would have no faith in them to speak up when they can’t even speak up to the obvious circus going on,” he said. “Harris is guilty by association. She’s either okay with Biden running again or unable to talk him out of it. Both are bad qualities in a president.”
Hussein added he was interested in a governor possibly replacing Biden on the Democratic ticket because they might be less tied to D.C. politics. “I feel like they’re less likely to be influenced by people in Washington,” he said.
Will Dawson, an uncommitted voter in Washington, D.C., named several factors that could switch his vote from the Green Party’s Stein to another politician. First on his list is a promise to call for an immediate ceasefire and fight the influence of the pro-Israel lobby and AIPAC in Congress.
“This candidate would also ideally work toward pulling further away from the Israeli colonial project, repealing our absurd financial support, ending AIPAC, and pushing for a nationwide boycott like [South Africa] during apartheid,” Dawson wrote. The candidate would also have to push to reform the Supreme Court. “The candidate would have to promise to push for justice impeachment and expand the courts. If a replacement candidate met both of these requirements, I would absolutely consider switching my vote from Jill Stein. I might even canvass for them!”
As uncommitted voters list their conditions, concerns around backing a candidate who supports Israel’s war are spreading within the Democratic Party apparatus. One DNC delegate, who requested anonymity, expressed reservations about supporting Biden. “Do I really want to contribute to Biden being our nominee? Do I want to vote for someone who’s supporting a genocide? No.”
