Rep. Rashida Tlaib urges Michigan Democrats to vote against Biden in the primary
In a video that was posted on X Saturday, the Michigan congresswoman urged her viewers to “vote without commitment” as she stood outside a site for early voting.
Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), a Michigan Democratic Representative, urges Democrats in Dearborn to vote against Joe Biden at the upcoming Democratic Primary in Michigan.
Tlaib, standing in front of an early voting site on Saturday, said: “If you want to make us louder then come here and cast your vote without commitment.”
She joined progressive activists in Michigan who are calling for voters to “vote uncommitted” at the Democratic primary in Michigan on February 27 in lieu of voting for Biden.
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The video of Tlaib appeared on the X page of “Listen To Michigan,” a group that encourages voters to vote in the primaries “uncommitted.”
Tlaib is a Palestinian-American who cited her dissatisfaction at the role of the Biden administration in the war between Israel Hamas.
“It’s also important to form a voting block, something like a bullhorn to say ‘Enough! We do not want a nation that supports bombs, wars, and destruction. We support life. We want to support the life. Tlaib stated, “We want to support every life that is killed in Gaza.”
She continued, “This way you can raise your voice.” Do not make us more invisible. “Right now, we are feeling completely ignored and unnoticed by our government.
Tlaib, who has criticized the Biden administration for its role in the conflict since the beginning of the war in Gaza, has called repeatedly for a ceasefire.
Tlaib addressed Biden at a December press conference, saying: “I repeat this because I hope that you hear me. You must listen to what the majority Americans and Democrats have to say. They worked hard to get you elected. You must represent us all, Mr. president. Not just some. Call for a cessation of fire now.”
Tlaib, who was elected to the House in November, a month after Hamas had attacked Israel, was censured for her remarks about the war. She used the phrase, “from the River to the Sea,” which Hamas has also used and that has been condemned as antisemitic by Jewish groups.
Biden’s victory in Michigan was only 3 percentage points in the 2020 presidential elections. The state will be critical for his path to victory this November.
Lavora Barnes, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, reiterated her support for Biden when asked about Tlaib’s message encouraging voters to remain undecided in the Democratic Primary.
She told NBC News that President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and the Michigan State Legislature were all elected for their commitment to Michigan’s workers, families, and communities. They kept those promises.
Biden, however, has come under fire from Muslim and Arab American leaders since the beginning of the Gaza war. Michigan has a large Arab American community, especially in Dearborn.
In the first week of this month, White House officials traveled to the state in order to meet with Muslim leaders and Arab Americans. Biden visited the state in February as well, but his purpose was to meet autoworkers after the United Auto Workers union endorsed him.
Our Revolution, the progressive political group founded by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), also encouraged Michigan Democrats to “vote uncommitted” during the primary. Sanders has disavowed the group’s positions, stating that he supports Biden’s reelection bid.
While the group is pushing for its members to vote against Biden, they will support him in November.
Our Revolution sent an email to its supporters saying, “Our Rev supporters should push Biden to make a change of course now on Gaza and increase his chances to win Michigan in November. We MUST defeat the right-wing Trump agenda!”
