Michigan Primary To Offer Temperature Check On Biden's MidEast Strategy

President Biden will face a major test of his Middle East strategy at the Democratic presidential primary in Michigan today. The state, which has a sizable Arab American and Muslim American community, is at the centre of a grassroots effort, led by progressive Democrats, urging voters to back “uncommitted” on the primary ballot in protest of Biden’s “unconditional” support for Israel.

• Politico reports: “A more radical campaign under the banner of “Abandon Biden” has given up on him completely. A more moderate campaign calling itself “Listen to Michigan” is holding out hope that Biden can change course and back a permanent cease-fire. They are urging voters to send him a message in today’s Michigan primary by choosing “uncommitted” on their ballot.”
• Rep Ro Khanna (D-CA), a progressive Democrat with close ties to the White House, said that Biden’s more assertive push for a ceasefire in recent days is likely a response to the Michigan campaign: “This is happening because the president is hearing that a large part of his coalition wants this war to end.”
• The Listen to Michigan campaign is targeting around 20,000 'uncommitted' votes. If the campaign draws more than that, it would fire a major warning shot at the White House in a state which Biden likely must win in November.
• Rep Dean Phillip (R-MN) and author Marianne Williamson are also on the ballot. Results are expected at around 02:00 ET 07:00 GMT tomorrow.