United States President Joe Biden has reiterated his commitment to continue his struggling re-election campaign, affirming to voters in Michigan that he is the preferred choice despite mounting pressure for him to withdraw from the race.
“I am running and we’re going to win,” he declared to a crowd holding signs in his favor at a rally in Detroit.
“I’m the nominee,” he asserted on Friday. “I’m not going anywhere.”
The 81-year-old Biden is still facing challenges regarding his mental acuity and calls to step down following a poor debate performance against former President Donald Trump on June 27.
Reporting from Detroit, Al Jazeera’s John Hendren noted the significant Arab and Muslim American population in Michigan, particularly in Dearborn, south of Detroit.
“In the primary, Biden received around 600,000 votes in Michigan, winning comfortably over other contenders, but approximately 100,000 voters voted ‘uncommitted’, mostly Arab and Muslim Americans and young Americans dissatisfied with his handling of the Gaza conflict,” he explained.
“Therefore, Biden needs to sway these voters. However, he is also struggling with support from Black, young, and Hispanic voters. His polling numbers are lower than in the previous election, presenting a widespread challenge for him. He is not garnering the same support he did four years ago.”
Throughout his Michigan tour, Biden maintained his stance that a second Trump presidency would endanger the country.
“Do you truly want to return to the chaos of Donald Trump’s presidency? Back when the United States lost three million jobs,” he questioned.
Biden also outlined his plans to enshrine abortion rights, enact the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, raise the minimum wage, and move towards banning assault weapons within the first 100 days of his second term—goals requiring Democratic majorities in both congressional houses.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Democratic senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters were absent from the Biden rally, but various union and religious leaders attended.
Union Auto Workers president Shawn Fain praised the president for supporting “the working class.”
However, a coalition of lawmakers, donors, activists, media outlets, and celebrities have urged Biden to step down and allow another nominee to lead the party.
‘Save Palestinian Lives’
Protesters gathered at the Biden rally in Detroit to voice concerns about the escalating casualties in Israel’s Gaza conflict, which has claimed over 38,000 Palestinian lives, predominantly women and children.
Activist Lexis Zeidan, speaking to Al Jazeera, emphasized the protesters’ shared objective of “saving Palestinian lives.”
Zeidan, a key figure in the “uncommitted” movement, revealed that hundreds of thousands of voters nationwide cast protest ballots against Biden’s Israel policy during the primaries.
“The aim was to make him understand that if he didn’t heed the people’s demands for a permanent ceasefire… he would lose the White House,” she stated.
Zeidan suggested that Biden could potentially regain support in the crucial battleground state if he swiftly changes his approach.
The US remains a staunch supporter of Israel politically and militarily. In a recent post, Biden alluded to progress in ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire, stating that both Israel and Hamas had agreed to a “framework” he proposed six weeks ago.
Nonetheless, ceasefire talks in Egypt and Qatar mediated by international parties have yet to yield an agreement.
Community advocate Suehaila Amen expressed that Arab and Muslim Americans in the Detroit area feel marginalized and disrespected due to Biden’s unwavering endorsement of Israel’s Gaza campaign.
“He is complicit in war crimes and genocide. He continues to support and enable the slaughter of innocent civilians in Gaza,” Amen criticized.
“Biden demonstrates to the global community that he prioritizes granting his allies free rein to commit atrocities, with our tax dollars funding the killing of innocent men, women, and children. He is a disgraceful leader for our nation.”
