Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed

Is Kamala Harris sabotaging her Michigan bid?: Foreign Policy

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Foreign Policy
  • 2 Nov 2024 15:54
3 Min Read

Emma Ashford, a columnist at Foreign Policy, highlights the convergence in Trump and Harris's positions on Israel as particularly noteworthy, especially as many voters seek clearer, differentiated stances.

Listen
  • x
  • US VP Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event at Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence on the Scott Northern Wake Campus of Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina, August 16, 2024. (AP)
    US VP Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event at Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence on the Scott Northern Wake Campus of Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina, on August 16, 2024. (AP)

A peculiar aspect of the 2024 political campaign is the nearly indistinguishable position held by Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, and Donald Trump regarding "Israel" and the ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Emma Ashford, a columnist at Foreign Policy, pointed out that this lack of differentiation is striking, especially in a landscape where many voters are looking for clear stances on such critical issues.

Recent comments from Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance suggested that US and Israeli interests might not always align perfectly.

Furthermore, reports indicated that Trump has urged Netanyahu to wrap up the ongoing war by Inauguration Day.

These developments imply, as per the author, that Republicans may be taking a more nuanced and strategic approach to Middle East policy than their Democratic counterparts.

'A complete mess'

In Ashford's view, this shift suggests that it reflects a growing recognition within the Republican Party of the complexities involved in U.S.-"Israel" relations and the broader geopolitical landscape in the region.

Furthermore, she suggested that the Harris campaign is attempting to carefully balance its approach to appeal to both Arab and Jewish voters in different states.

Related News

China-US trade falls 10.4% in H1-2025 to $289.36 billion

Senate blames Secret Service failures for Trump assassination attempt

"Tactically, however, it’s a complete mess."

In further detail, Ashford argued that the Harris campaign's strategy is fundamentally flawed. In Michigan, home to a significant Arab population—particularly of Lebanese descent—Harris appeared alongside Liz Cheney, a staunch proponent of the Iraq War. Compounding the misstep, the campaign enlisted former President Bill Clinton to address voters, where he emphasized that Israelis have been in the region longer than Islam has existed. 

This approach, according to the author, underscores a lack of sensitivity to the concerns of Arab voters and raises questions about the overall effectiveness of the campaign.

The Trump campaign has been taking advantage of the situation, as per the author.

No great choices for Arab Americans

During a rally in Michigan, Trump referenced Liz Cheney, noting her father's role in the invasion of the Middle East, which he claimed resulted in the killing of millions of Arabs. Additionally, the campaign contacted an activist who was removed from a Harris campaign event in an effort to film a commercial addressing that incident, as pointed out by the author.

"Arab American voters in Michigan don’t have great choices," she said.

A potential Trump administration is expected to follow a comparable trajectory regarding "Israel", with many of his supporters and campaign representatives having voiced racist remarks about Muslims. However, polling in Michigan shows that Trump and Harris are closely matched. According to the author, even minor changes in voter support for Trump, or a decrease in voter turnout, could significantly impact the election outcome.

The author concluded by questioning whether the Harris campaign is genuinely aiming to lose Michigan, suggesting that the campaign's current strategies may inadvertently lead to such a scenario.

"Is the Harris campaign actually trying to lose Michigan?" Ashford asked.

Read more: 'Israel’s' Lebanon escapade: The cause of Kamala Harris's WH woes

  • United States
  • Kamala Harris
  • Israel
  • Gaza genocide
  • War on Lebanon
  • Lebanon
  • US elections 2024
  • Gaza
  • Michigan
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS