President Joe Biden is set to visit Michigan today, aiming to build on the momentum from the recent endorsement by the United Auto Workers (UAW). This visit comes as part of his strategy to secure votes from union members, a crucial demographic in his reelection bid, amidst a potential face-off with Donald Trump in 2024.
Michigan, along with other union-dense Midwestern states, played a pivotal role in Biden’s narrow victory in 2020. Trump, who is also vying for the union vote, met with Teamsters union leaders and workers in Washington on Wednesday, attempting to gain traction with this key voting bloc.
During his visit to Michigan, Biden will engage in an “informal” conversation with UAW members at a union hall near Detroit, a Biden campaign official revealed. The UAW leadership has expressed strong support for Biden, with UAW President Shawn Fain endorsing him as the clear choice over Trump.
However, the endorsement from union leadership may not sway all rank-and-file members, as evidenced in the 2020 campaign when many supported Trump despite the UAW’s endorsement of Biden. Trump’s strategy of appealing to disaffected voters in the Midwest who feel abandoned by the Democratic Party has shown some success, particularly among non-college-educated union workers.
Meanwhile, Biden’s visit to Michigan also highlights a growing political concern: the dwindling support among Arab-Americans due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The war has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leading to widespread outrage among Arab-Americans and calls for Biden to support a ceasefire.
Biden’s continued support for Israel’s campaign has cast doubt on his chances of repeating his 2020 victory in Michigan. His campaign has faced difficulties in securing meetings with Arab American leaders, with several local leaders declining invitations to meet with Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez.
Despite these challenges, Biden’s campaign continues to engage with local Arab and Palestinian-American leaders, as well as Hispanic and Black local elected officials. Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a vocal critic of Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, met with Chavez Rodriguez in Michigan on Friday.
As the president’s visit to Michigan unfolds, it remains to be seen how he will address the concerns of the Arab-American community, a significant demographic in this key electoral battleground. Recent public events have been marked by calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, including Biden’s remarks after receiving the UAW endorsement. The UAW has also called for a ceasefire.
The White House has refrained from providing details about the president’s visit to Michigan, stating that the trip is political in nature. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that the president has had meetings with Muslim and Arab leaders and that the administration understands the difficult times people are facing.