Vice President Harris’s sudden emergence as the likely Democratic presidential nominee raises a new question: Will those who voted “uncommitted” in protest of President Biden’s Israel-Gaza policy during the primaries rally around her?
Thirty-six delegates representing 'uncommitted' voters in swing states were slated to cast ballots at next month’s Democratic National Convention after a movement to punish Biden during the primary season over his administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
Now observers are watching to see how the voters most critical of Biden respond to Harris, who could defuse some of the tension within the party, but will also face scrutiny about how she will address the conflict.
“Kamala Harris needs to somehow separate herself from Biden on Israel/Palestine, pledging to be more evenhanded, less Israel-right-or-wrong,” said Jeff Cohen, co-founder of RootsAction.org, who coordinated an effort urging Biden to resign called “Step Aside Joe.”
“If she does that, she could win not only votes but the activism of key groups that helped Biden-Harris win in 2020: young activists, racial justice organizers, Arab and Muslim activists and leaders.”
“The ball is in her court,” Cohen said.
Biden’s handling of Israel’s war in Gaza has badly divided the Democratic Party, and weakened him politically.
It contributed to the president’s stumbles with both Black voters and young voters, and it was the most contentious point in his relationship with his party’s progressive wing.
Some progressives only reluctantly backed Biden given what they see as an existential threat in the prospect of a second term for former........