#democratic primary

[phoenixyfriend]

Michigan just gave us the rhetorical weapon that could push Biden and the DNC to turn their backs on Israel.

Okay so this is amazing news. Michigan was going to be a key state in the push to get Biden, and the DNC as a whole, to start pressuring Israel, and they have just proven that they have that power.

Background: Michigan is a swing state, and it has 16 votes in the electoral college. Winning Michigan was a major factor in Biden's win back in 2020, and much of that rested on the Arab-American vote. It was also a major factor in Hillary Clinton's loss to Donald Trump in 2016. She lost the state by ten thousand, seven hundred votes.

Praxis: For obvious reasons, Arab-Americans are incredibly upset with Biden's support for Israel, and support in that demographic has gone from 59% in the 2020 election to less than 17% now. As a form of protest, Arab-Americans in Michigan started a campaign to get voters to check "uncommitted" in the Democratic primary. This is an actual box that can be checked, though some less-organized pushes also suggested writing in 'ceasefire' like New Hampshire primary voters did.

The goal was to get at least 10,000 'uncommitted' votes, as that is how many Hillary lost by.

As Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, the first Arab mayor of this majority-Arab city, said:

"We're not sizable enough to make a candidate win, but we're sizable enough to make a candidate lose."

(Source: NPR, 2/25/24)

Result:

As of 10:49 PM EST, 2/27, there are thirty-nine thousand uncommitted votes, according to CNN, which is doing live coverage.

NPR was reporting 30k at 10:14.

As a caveat, New York Times is saying that each of the last three Michigan Dem Primaries had about 20k uncommitted votes, so the 35k isn't all the push for pro-Palestine stances in Congress, but that's still a jump of almost 20k, which is way, way more than the goal.

And they aren't done counting the votes yet. Barely 30% of votes are in. The goal has been blown out of the water.

Other states are reaching out for advice on how to replicate the results.

This is big news.

So can we relax?

Fuck no.

Do what Michigan did. Vote in the Dem primary, and vote uncommitted or write in "ceasefire."

But on a more daily basis, if you have a Democratic candidate, lean on this.

Tell them it will be repeated elsewhere.

This could very well lose the election for Biden and more. The Democrats can't afford another four years of Trump, and they know it. The loss of Michigan can and will tank this election for them, especially since other states that helped Biden win, like Georgia, were also won on demographics that are growing increasingly upset by the situation in Gaza.

Go to the Michigan section of this post and use that in your calls and emails.

But remember. Call your reps. Call your senators. Call your governor, if you'd like. And if they're a Democrat, you bring this up. Be polite, the staffer isn't making these decisions. They might just be an intern. But bring it up and tell them that we are going to lose the presidency if we do not sanction Israel and actually pressure them into not only pulling out of Gaza and the West Bank, but paying reparations.

#michigan #united states #michigan primary #primary voting #democratic primary #current events #phoenix politics #voting #praxis #politics #pro palestine #gaza #palestine #israel #2024 election

[memingursa]

Incredible thread

#joe biden #politics #democratic primary #democratic party #democrats #liberals #2024 #genocide joe

[politijohn]

Source

Did not mention any of the following words:

Abortion

Climate

Environment

Gun

Immigrant

Justice

Labor

Union

Worker

LGBTQ

Trans

Gay

Source

Source

The party that keeps asking to lose

#politics #us politics #government #Joe Biden #the left #centrism #neoliberalism #democratic primary #news #current events

[iwriteaboutfeminism]

With 96% of the votes counted in Minnesota, an AMAZING 19% of voters selected "Uncommitted" in the Democratic Primary, a total of 45,752 votes so far!

#uncommitted #minnesota #democratic primary #us politics #2024 elections #ceasefire now

[a-queer-seminarian]

Curious to see what tactics are most popular to voice our rage about how Biden is aiding and abetting Genocide.

If anyone with real political savvy has knowledge about which tactic is most effective, please reblog with a comment!

EDIT: not all ballots have an "uncommitted" or write-in option. If you haven't voted yet and you're curious about what your options are, search online for "[your state] sample ballot" or "[your state] protest ballot" (the second option will show you news about any orgs in your state with recommendations for how to vote to make your protest heard)

#palestine #united states #democratic primary #election 2024 #voting

[oursonwithagirl]

❗️to people living in

these states❗️ ⬇️

alabama ❗️

arkansas ❗️

california ❗️

colorado ❗️

maine ❗️

massachusetts ❗️

minnesota ❗️

north carolina ❗️

oklahoma ❗️

tennessee ❗️

texas ❗️

utah ❗️

vermont ❗️

virginia ❗️

THERE IS A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY BEING HELD TODAY (super tuesday) 3/5!

many movements are calling for voters to vote UNCOMMITTED to put pressure on the administration and their support of palestinian genocide 🇵🇸

think it’s fruitless? here’s michigan:

not only did biden lose over 100k of his base, but a few days later, kamala harris came OUT OF NOWHERE and called for an immediate ceasefire

they’re getting scared - keep the pressure up, and FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸

#palestine #free palestine #us politics #super tuesday #democratic primary #vote uncommitted #gaza #democrats

[igottatho]

Today I wanted to share this CNN clip for Americans. You probably heard about the Democrat primaries in Michigan - 100k voters turned out and cast their ballots “Uncommitted” rather than choose the binary of Red v. Blue. If you’ve been paying attention, you know that Americans have been hounding all of the DNC powers ceaselessly. If you’ve been attention, you also know that Biden has had so many opportunities to end the Genocide in Palestine. You also know that Biden dangles the carrot (while eating ice cream) and then removes it (after that MI primary).

It’s important to reframe the binary vote; Biden isn’t going to “defeat” Trump, and Trump isn’t going to “win” - Biden is holding our hopes for a better future hostage. DNC should be courting our vote, not withholding peace for it.

Wisconsin voters are apparently turning out in similar numbers to utilize their voter power, “Uncommitted”. They need to see that we’re paying attention to the difference between their (empty) words and their (in)actions.

I hope this video and my words help give you the confidence to challenge people in your life who are bogged down in helplessness. I hope that you follow Mehdi on social media - if you aren’t already.

Don’t forget to click your Arab.org links, and talk to someone today about Palestine.

“Hope is not so much a comfort, as a necessary requirement.”

#free palestine #palestine #gaza #free gaza #voting #please vote #get out the vote #vote blue #vote democrat #michigan #Wisconsin #democratic primary #primaries #us presidential election #2024 presidential election #uncommitted #mehdi hasan #cnn #cnn news #use your power #use your voice #don’t feel helpless

[gallifreyriver]

Why you NEED to vote!!

This is so serious. Do not withhold your vote. It's not going to send the message you think it is.

It never will. It will not be the 'devastating blow' or 'learning lesson' to the Democratic party as a whole- they won't learn a thing by you withholding your vote. It won't help Palestine- if anything it will make you complicit in whatever further harm comes to Palestinians when your "protest" results in Trump/the Republican Party winning the election, because they've already stated that they will back Israel no matter what.

Know what sends a better message than not voting? Voting for the other candidate, or voting "Uncommitted," in the primary.

So many of you are forgetting about the Primary!!

Currently there are two other notable* Democratic candidates (Dean Phillips & Marianne Williamson) and four notable* Third Party candidates (Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Chase Oliver, Jill Stein, & Cornel West). People have also been writing in Claudia De La Cruz. *In this context, notable means that a candidate appears on enough ballots to stand a chance to win a majority of the Electoral College, as according to Ballotpedia.

And let me tell you, even though only a few Democratic primaries have passed as of the writing of this post, their results already seem to be having the desired effect, because Biden started pushing harder for a ceasefire right after he lost 13% of the vote in the Michigan Primary to "Uncommitted."

Of course it's not perfect, but if 13% in one state could have even that much sway, imagine what could be accomplished on Super Tuesday* if everyone went out and did the same in their states? That's what could actually stand a chance at getting the Biden administration (and rest of the Democratic party) to scramble towards doing what we want. Withholding your vote won't do shit, I'm sorry. They only notice/care where the cast votes go- not votes that are absent. And unfun fact, Trump was elected by only about 25% of eligible voters. We got Trump because so many people (43%) DIDN'T vote in 2016. This is why turnout is such a big deal- your vote absolutely does matter. *Super Tuesday [March 5th] is the day where several [15] US states hold their primary election.

Need another reason? There are 468 seats up for election. All 435 seats in the House, and 33 seats in the Senate. That is huge.

Currently Republicans hold majority in the House. This is a chance to change that- to flip seats! We have the chance to tip the scales further away from fascism instead of further toward it- But we can only do that if people get out and VOTE. Vote in the primary to choose your candidate, and then vote again in November to try and secure a blue majority and actually get shit done.

Do not withhold your vote!

Withholding your vote isn't a rebellion, it's silencing your own voice. It's complicity in whatever bad thing happens when the bad people win. It's an active sabotage of the things you supposedly want.

And to those who think "Oh who cares if things get worse for us! People in Palestine are already suffering in unimaginably worse ways!" I need you to reflect, and realize that trying to punish yourself because you feel guilty that you're not suffering with them will not help them. It's not "solidarity." It's not heroic. I'm having trouble finding the right words, but to think it comes anywhere close is a slap in the face to those actually suffering. If anything it will only make their situation even worse if Trump wins. Again, the Republican party has already stated it's intentions to back Israel no matter what.

You need to make sure that your actions aren't just you trying to assuage your own guilt because you feel bad that you can't help more. And you need to make sure that you aren't holding these guilty feelings over the actual needs of Palestinians and that you're not speaking over them in your "activism."

I'll say again, Do not withhold your vote. Do not silence your voice.

We have a chance to make this better, but we can only do it if we all do the work- and voting is the bare minimum of said work.

So make sure to get out and vote in your primary!

#vote #us politics #usa politics #election 2024 #primaries #democratic primary

[biblicalhorror]

Hey, Colorado folks! Our ballots are due March 5, less than a week from today. Colorado Palestine Coalition is trying to keep up the momentum from the Michigan primary and get as many people to vote "noncommitted" as possible! Please spread the word and sign this pledge if you're in the state of Colorado!

#colorado #also if some of my non-colorado followers could reblog this to help me spread the word i would really appreciate it!! #colorado politics #colorado primary #free palestine #colorado socialists #colorado palestine coalition #political action #democratic primary

[possessionisamyth]

Won't the democratic party go with Biden no matter what? Isn't that what they did with Hilary and Bernie?

Here's an article explaining what happened with Bernie's campaign.

I highly recommend everyone read it in full since it's going to be way more nuanced than anything I could come up with as a summary explanation.

But before he fell, the democrats in power were absolutely scared shitless of Bernie winning the primary. So much that they were prepared to shift rules just in case he got the majority vote anyway [X].

The problem is very nuanced, but it seems like the core issue is that the people yelling about him online didn't show up the same way at the polls. This could be a result of so many things, gerrymandering being a major issue for voters of color especially, but the most consistent thing when it comes to elections for Gen Y and Z is that waxing about progress online and taking no action in real life doesn't lead to success.

Your parents and grandparents and shitty racist uncles and aunts and cousins are going to the polls. Are you?

#us politics #democratic primary #presidential race

[mypatchworkreflection]

""Many New Yorkers are struggling with the question of whether to show up for Tuesday's presidential primary. We're urging voters to use their voice at the ballot box to send a clear message to President Biden that he must correct course on the war on Gaza," said New York Working Families Party co-directors Ana María Archila and Jasmine Gripper in a statement."

#us politics #democratic primary #free palestine

[silverfox419]

It's Primary Season

And that means the opportunity to vote Biden out. If you are in one of the states that allows ballot access for her, which you can find here as well as the dates, I implore you to vote for Marianne Williamson in your state's democratic primary election.

"We can stop this now. Have a ceasefire now. (...) There never was a military solution. (...) It's more than a humanitarian pause. Let's stop this." -Marianne Williamson on Israel and Palestine

However, I also want you to know who and what you're voting for. You can find her stances on various issues all listed on her website, organized by issue so you can easily look into what's most important to you.

It's a long shot, but this is what we can do to reject Biden's complicity in genocide. Please, do your part.

From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free!

Edit: Unfortunately, on Feb 7th, Williamson has dropped out of the race. However, she is still on most ballots. Another option if she is not on your ballot is Dean Phillips. His stance on Israel and Palestine are iffy, but he has criticized Biden's approach and seems mostly on-board with a ceasefire.

This is also a good time to say I fully support Green candidate Jill Stein, as she is vocally anti-genocide, as well as pro-worker and climate action.

#palestine #free palestine #palestinian genocide #gaza #free gaza #gaza genocide #ceasefire #ceasefire now #2024 presidential race #marianne williamson #marianne 2024 #politics #us politics #democratic primary #important #con says #these are the states where she's on the primary ballot: #south carolina #nevada #michigan #arkansas #california #colorado #iowa #massachusetts #minnesota #oklahoma #texas #utah #vermont

[iwriteaboutfeminism]

#illinois #girl i guess voter guide #uncommitted #gaza #ceasefire now #us politics #2024 elections #democratic primary

[phoenixyfriend]

Someone come have angry anxious frustration with me about the Biden campaigners being quoted in this cast.

(Not the reporters themselves, they're fine.)

I cannot emphasize how important it is to call your reps.

Threaten not to vote. Remind them that every Uncommitted vote in Michigan is another seat that may not vote at all. Trump does not need people to vote for him so long as they don't vote, especially in Michigan.

This is the swing state of this election.

Leverage Michigan, leverage Bushnell, leverage everything you can.

Leverage that Netanyahu has directly credited US support for Israel's ability to continue massacre Gazans.

Do not let them brush this under the rug.

#current events #democratic party #democratic primary #presidential primaries #Joe Biden #npr #npr politics podcast #united states #Michigan #Phoenix Politics #Spotify #Israel #Palestine #palestine israel conflict

[memingursa]

#joe biden #democratic primary #racism from the biden camp shock #free gaza #free palestine #gaza #palestine

[learnwithmearticles]

Third Party Vote

A third party is any political party other than the dominant two in the nation - in the U.S.A., these are the Republican and the Democratic parties.

The third parties of the U.S.A. include the Libertarian party and the Green party.

Libertarian beliefs emphasize personal rights to property and participating in a free market. Generally, they do not align with progressive goals due to three key beliefs; everyone’s right to own guns; segregation of education standards; and voluntary taxes1. Overall, they want less government control.

Taxes are extremely annoying and inconvenient, and the allocation of them has not been optimal in many years, but the lack of them would cause extreme losses to programs that help people survive, including social security and certain healthcare plans2. Likewise, while decentralized education can have many benefits for students, the education disparities between states is drastic, and further decentralization will likely exacerbate education inequalities3.

But the purpose of this article is not to debunk the goals of specific parties. Instead, I aim to explain the unfortunate effects of third-party voting in general elections. Specifically, I will explain why some people prefer the Democratic party or the Green party, and why we must be careful when voting this year.

The U.S.A. Green party has goals of strong, definitive measures to address environmental degradation and climate change, institutions that perpetuate inequities, and unsustainable military practices4. Progressively, they are possibly the strongest pushers for change, and they criticize and claim to avoid the corruption and hypocrisy of the Democratic party.

The most likely Democratic candidate for presidency in 2024 is Joseph Biden. During his 2021-2024 presidency, Biden has made Medicare able to negotiate drug prices, including insulin which became capped at 35 dollars per month for seniors5. He also funded vaccination campaigns to address the COVID-19 pandemic, helped protect marriage equality for LGBT+ and interracial people, worked on achieving debt relief, and many more positive goals5. Most recently, he pardoned individuals federally charged with simple possession of marijuana, a major proclamation to correct some failures in the justice system15.

He has also been complicit in the genocide against Palestinian people, with his administration cutting off aid to Gaza while providing Israel munitions6. He has used the military to attack protests in the Middle East7. Additionally, the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Afghanistan coincided with many service members’ deaths, and he has not achieved the cancellation of student debt that he aimed for8.

Problems with enacting change is that the Senate and the House of Representatives have a majority of Republican appointees, and six of the nine Supreme Court Justices were appointed by a Republican president. These demographics account for some of the issues regarding student loan debts and rights to autonomy and privacy, though Biden has worked to help constituents following the Supreme Court decision against Roe v. Wade5.

A Green party president would face similar setbacks, as checks and balances keep them from being able to completely dictate government decisions.

However, a Green party president such as Jill Stein would likely make good progress towards a more sustainable economy, equal rights, and alleviating climate change, based on her platform9. She would likely be a fantastic president. It is completely understandable why many people decide to vote for a third party, and why many young people, particularly on TikTok, say that they want to vote third-party.

I wish it was not this way, but current politics are not where they need to be for a third party candidate to win. A third-party candidate has never won the U.S.A. presidency before, even in their strongest years10.

When Jill Stein ran in 2016, the Democratic party won the popular vote but the Republican party won, and that responsibility is partially on third-party voters. If Stein’s voters had voted for the Democratic party, they would have won the electoral college11. Likewise, if every Democratic voter had voted for Jill Stein, the same would be true for the Green party.

Why is it fair to ask Green party voters to vote for the Democratic nominee instead of expecting Democratic voters to vote for the Green party, or for any ideal third party?

It isn’t. It is completely valid for people to want voting to be different. I am angry that I have to compromise on humanitarian values, as well. Politics should not be a two-party system. But not voting for Biden or whoever is the Democratic nominee creates an extreme risk of the Republican nominee winning, which would quickly send the U.S.A. further towards a loss of democracy and people’s rights.

Historic trends do not reflect positively on third party chances this year11. The Democratic party is giant and well-established with over 45 million loyal members unlikely to even consider a third party12. Voting for a third party is most likely to be considered a vote ‘stolen’ from one of the dominant parties13.

Keep in mind, these warnings are only pertaining to the presidency. Third parties have much higher likelihoods of success in smaller elections, such as city councils and mayoralties14. Hopefully, these trends will continue and the presidency will eventually not have to be as much of a compromise.

You are not wrong for wanting change. You are not wrong for being unsatisfied with inept government demographics. Continue to advocate for the nominees you most believe in, and please keep in mind the risks involved.

Additional Resources

1. https://www.lp.org/issues/

2. https://www.cbpp.org/research/policy-basics-where-do-our-federal-tax-dollars-go

3.https://learningportal.iiep.unesco.org/en/blog/learning-from-a-decentralized-education-system

4. https://www.gp.org/

5. https://www.whitehouse.gov/therecord/

6.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/01/30/biden-gaza-food-aid-hamas-civilians-strategy/

7.https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/11/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-coalition-strikes-in-houthi-controlled-areas-in-yemen/

8. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/22/joe-biden-presidency/

9. https://www.jillstein2024.com/principles

10.https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-younger-voters-will-impact-elections-responding-to-the-challenges-of-third-parties/

11.https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/11/11/13576798/jill-stein-third-party-donald-trump-win

12.https://news.gallup.com/poll/512135/support-third-political-party.aspx

13. https://theintercept.com/2024/01/22/biden-trump-president-election-third-party/

14. https://www.gpelections.org/greens-in-office/2023-july-01/15. https://www.justice.gov/pardon/presidential-proclamation-marijuana-possession

#voting #politics #us politics #american politics #elections #2024 elections #green party #libertarian party #third party voting #climate change #article #democratic party #democratic primary