President Joe Biden easily won Michigan’s Democratic primary Tuesday, in a contest that saw a grassroots effort to cast protest votes over his handling of the war in Gaza. Biden’s victory over his main rival, Rep. Dean Phillips, was never in doubt, but the “uncommitted” movement still managed to secure two delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
The “uncommitted” movement, which allowed voters to register a protest vote once morest Biden’s support of Israel during the Gaza conflict, received 13% of the votes. While this may seem significant, it is worth noting that when former President Barack Obama ran for re-election in 2012, the “uncommitted” share in Michigan’s Democratic primary was 11%. Furthermore, Biden’s strong performance in all three official primaries so far indicates that most of the “uncommitted” voters will ultimately come around and support him in the general election.
However, it cannot be ignored that a minority of the Democratic Party is deeply upset with Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza, particularly among Arab, Muslim, and young voters. Michigan, with its large Muslim population, will be a critical battleground for the Biden campaign in its efforts to win back these voters.
The results of the Michigan primary also highlight the fact that nearly one-in-five Democrats in the swing state chose another candidate or registered a protest vote. In the 2020 election, Biden won Michigan by only 154,000 votes, making it clear that he has little margin for error in the state. This is especially important considering Michigan’s must-win status for the Biden campaign in the November general election, where he is likely to face former President Donald Trump once once more.
The implications of the Michigan primary results are being heavily debated within the Democratic Party. While some see them as a disappointment for both sides, others argue that there needs to be an urgent course correction to win back the upset voters. Rep. Ro Khanna, a progressive Democrat, emphasized the need for a strategy to reconnect with the community and a healing period before Democrats are comfortable with Biden’s leadership once more.
Looking ahead, it is clear that Biden will need to reunify a party that has splintered over the war in Gaza. While there are concerns regarding the timeline for this reconciliation, it is important to note that Biden has finished above 80% in all three official primaries held so far. This indicates a strong base of support for him, despite the discontent among some factions of the party.
In conclusion, the Michigan primary results shed light on the discontent among a minority of the Democratic Party regarding Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza. While the protest votes and support for the “uncommitted” movement may not significantly impact Biden’s chances in the general election, they highlight the need for a course correction and strategy to win back upset voters. Michigan, with its large Muslim population, will continue to be a key battleground for the Biden campaign’s efforts to reconnect with these voters and secure victory in November.