With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, the spotlight is back on Vice President Kamala Harris, her performance, and her policies, particularly concerning the Middle East. The upcoming vote, poised to be fiercely contested, has stirred up complex emotions and opinions among various voter demographics, especially those concerned about U.S. foreign policy and its ramifications for communities affected by these policies.
At the center of this narrative is the recent surge of discussions surrounding Harris's approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Critics argue she has been complicit, if not outright supportive, of policies viewed as oppressive to Palestinian people. Dr. Michael Karadjis, writing for New Matilda, emphasizes the conflicting emotions voters face, particularly from Arab and Muslim-Americans. He points out the bleak dilemma many find themselves stuck between voting for Harris, who is backed by significant funding for Israeli military actions, and supporting former President Trump, who historically has threatened punitive actions against those who advocate for Palestinian rights.
Interestingly, recent polling data sheds light on this issue. According to surveys conducted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Arab-American Institute, support for Harris among Muslim and Arab voters varies significantly. Among Muslim-American voters, support for Harris and Green Party leader Jill Stein stood at nearly even, with both just over 40%, and only about 10% leaning toward Trump. Yet, for Arab-American voters, the support for both Trump and Harris is also around 40%, reflecting a growing disenchantment with Harris and the Democratic Party among these groups. Alarmingly, only 63% of Arab-Americans expressed enthusiasm about voting, down from the 80% typically seen during past elections.
This scenario presents Harris with formidable challenges. Many within these communities believe they are being asked to choose the lesser evil, which is something they are increasingly unwilling to do. For those who have lost family or friends due to violence stemming from U.S. policies, supporting Harris can seem like endorsing their oppressors. Harris's own campaign has occasionally faltered, struggling to engage young voters and those particularly disillusioned with her administration's stances. The expectation is more significant from her than from most candidates due to the historical reliance on Democratic support from minority communities.
Kamala Harris undoubtedly faces hurdles as she gears up for the election. Yet her supporters argue she has managed to mold the narrative around her candidacy, especially compared to the bleak outlook projected under President Biden. The New Republic posits Harris's ascension as somewhat miraculous, seeing how she turned what appeared to be imminent defeat for Democrats—by unseeding the old face of the party and re-establishing herself as someone willing to take up harder questions. The ability to transform public opinion, especially when previous polls suggested her unpopularity, marks her campaign as noteworthy.
At rallies and on social media, Harris has carefully crafted her message. Her campaign has focused on the everyman narrative, attempting to bridge the gap between ordinary voters' needs and presenting Trump as unworthy of another term. This method has had some success; recent surveys show her now polling fairly evenly with Trump on managing the economy—an issue of monumental importance heading to the election.
Despite this, there remains skepticism surrounding her political instincts and the clarity of her principles, particularly concerning issues like foreign policy. While she is credited with creating more cohesion among Democrats by taking command at pivotal moments, her actions and stances often spark debate among analysts and voters alike. Indeed, her reluctance many argue to fully break away from Biden's stances, especially on contentious issues like the Middle East, could potentially alienate key voter blocs within her base.
With Trump positioned as the notable counterpoint to her campaign, Harris's challenge amplifies. Trump, who was once propped up by accusations of weakness against Israel during Biden's presidency, has shifted significantly to brand himself as the “strong man” on the Israeli front. His stream of raunchy, inflammatory remarks at rallies has managed to attract segments of the electorate who feel disenfranchised or victimized by U.S. foreign policy. There's fear within certain communities, especially among younger voters, of Trump's ability to use his celebrity status to mask dangerous policies.
An alternate perspective argues Harris has created the chance for Democrats—leaving aside her direct policy decisions, which some view as lacking clarity. If the Democratic Party is to unify and counteract the potential rise of far-right politics, shoring up Harris's campaign efforts is pivotal. Harris's presence carries ramifications; she embodies the fight against fragmentation within the party.
Harris's political future remains intertwined with her foreign policy stance, contingent on her ability to sway skeptical voters to either stay engaged or come back to the Democratic fold. Her candidacy will, to some extent, determine whether younger generations view her as part of the solution for grassroots issues or yet another encapsulation of the status quo. The potential loss of support among traditionally Democratic demographics, especially Arab or Muslim-Americans, could spell trouble not just for Harris, but for the larger Democratic strategy headed toward November 2024.
It's clear, the dynamics of voting hinge not solely on opinions rooted deeply within local communities but are affected significantly by the national narrative surrounding leadership and representation. Harris’s ability to navigate her policies on the Middle East, connect with voters disillusioned by politics, and combat Trump’s rhetoric all hold weight as we march toward election day.
