As the 2024 presidential election approaches, President Joe Biden faces a significant challenge in securing support from Arab American and Muslim voters, a key part of his 2020 coalition. This shift in sentiment is largely due to Biden’s unwavering support for Israel amidst its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman to serve in Congress, was an enthusiastic supporter of Biden in the 2020 election. However, her silence on his 2024 reelection bid, along with other Muslim leaders, speaks volumes about the growing discontent within these communities.
Many Arab Americans and Muslim voters have expressed their unwillingness to support Biden’s reelection due to his stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. This sentiment extends beyond voters, with Democratic strategists warning of a potential struggle to find surrogates willing to advocate for Biden among key voter groups.
The Biden administration appears to be grappling with a lack of Arab American and Muslim leaders willing to meet with White House officials. Furthermore, no Muslim or Arab American groups have endorsed Biden’s reelection bid so far.
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, the city’s first Arab American and Muslim mayor, declined a meeting with Biden’s campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, stating that it was not a time for electoral politics but a time for policy change.
Despite the administration’s efforts to engage with these communities, the lack of support is becoming increasingly apparent. The president’s campaign trail is often met with cries of “Genocide Joe” and “ceasefire now,” reflecting the growing discord within his own party.
Adrian Hemond, a Democratic strategist based in Michigan, warns that Biden should be concerned about the lack of support he is receiving from these communities. He suggests that many voters may choose to stay home due to dissatisfaction with their options.
Despite outreach efforts, the administration has failed to quell frustrations among sections of Biden’s 2020 coalition. Many prominent Muslim American elected officials and community leaders who supported Biden in the last election cycle are now skeptical and angry.
The Abandon Biden campaign, a national campaign working against Biden’s reelection efforts, operates in crucial swing states such as Michigan, Minnesota, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. The campaign was created after Biden failed to respond to calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Some Arab American and Muslim voters have expressed that even if Biden’s campaign ramps up their outreach, it may be too late. They feel used and believe that no amount of outreach can reverse the decisions made by the administration.
Some Michigan voters have even stated that they would rather support a third-party candidate or Trump if it means Biden will lose in 2024.
As the 2024 election approaches, Biden faces a significant challenge in securing the support of a key part of his coalition. His stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict has alienated many Arab American and Muslim voters, and it remains to be seen how this will impact his reelection bid.