How divisive issues could dictate who takes over White House
3 Min Read
US voters are expressing dissatisfaction with the current administration's handling of the war on Gaza, and this sentiment will likely influence their choices in the upcoming elections.
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Protesters march to the Democratic National Convention at the United Center after a rally at Union Park Monday, in Chicago, on August 19, 2024. (AP)
A report by Foreign Policy on Friday underscored how voting patterns in the US influence foreign policy by highlighting three key points about American voters.
First, the economy or immigration typically tops the list of issues that matter most to them. Second, most Americans feel the country is on the wrong track. And third, foreign policy rarely ranks among their primary concerns.
A Gallup poll from March reveals that only a third of Americans are satisfied with the nation’s global standing, while nearly two-thirds express dissatisfaction, according to Foreign Policy.
This disconnect is further underscored by the visible presence of pro-Palestine protesters outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, demanding an end to US support for "Israel", knowing that these protesters were notably absent from the official platform inside.
Biden has faced significant backlash from progressives, young voters, and Arab Americans due to his support for "Israel" amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The discontent remains, even with Vice President Kamala Harris now leading the Democratic ticket.
Michigan, a critical swing state with the highest concentration of Arab Americans, could be pivotal in the tight race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Harris. During Michigan’s Democratic primary, over 100,000 voters cast "non-committal" ballots as a protest against Biden’s "Israel" policy, signaling potential trouble for Democrats in the general election.
The Foreign Policy added that Harris has remained largely silent on her foreign policy positions, having yet to grant a major media interview since becoming the presumptive nominee. This silence adds to the uncertainty among voters who may opt to abstain or vote without commitment.
In this context, foreign policy—especially regarding Gaza and "Israel"—could serve as a litmus test for candidates’ character and competence, influencing voters who are closely monitoring these issues, as highlighted by Ronald Linden, a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh.
In a contradictory move, while fueling "Israel" with military aid, Biden said on Wednesday that pro-Palestinian protesters outside the DNC in Chicago "have a point," adding that "those protesters out in the street, they have a point. A lot of innocent people are being killed on both sides" and that the time has come to "end this war."
This comes as yet another instance of the US President issuing statements that directly contradict the administration's actions concerning "Israel", reinforcing the perception of continued complicity in the ongoing war.
The dissonance between rhetoric and policy underscores the broader frustration among those who see the US as actively enabling the war while paying lip service to humanitarian concerns.
