this post was submitted on 22 Aug 2024
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Did you actually read the speech? Because it makes a good point. They're trying to tell her how to beat Trump. Supporting Israel isn't actually necessary to beat Trump if poll after poll is actually saying a majority of Democrats disapprove of the way they're running the war. It hurts more than anything when you support unpopular policies.
I agree with the sentiment, and I support an end to the genocide in Israel.
But that's not how politics works. A majority of Democrats might disapprove of wearing blue hats, the important question is whether it will swing their vote. The key concept is "single-issue voters." For most Democrats, supporting a genocide isn't a deal-breaker. They might oppose it in polls, but they will still vote for Harris even if she doesn't criticize Israel. Meanwhile, there are a significant number of single-issue voters who support Israel, and will absolutely not vote for Harris if she criticizes Israel.
And they know Trump is an anti-semite.
But they will vote for Trump because he has the support of Netanyahu. Taking a stand on Israel will give Trump a target, a talking point he will ride into the ground.
The Democrats are trying to thread the needle, and doing a poor job of it. They have run the numbers, and decided that Biden can keep calling for peace while remaining a staunch ally, and Harris and Walz can be out listening to progressives on the issue, and neither side will be so pissed off that they turn up to vote against Democrats.
It would be a fascinating political experiment, if not for all the children dying because of it.
The name of the game this November is turnout. There are undoubtedly more people who support Harris than Trump, but will they vote? Touching the Israel issue is guaranteed to turn off a large block of voters, no matter which side you support. There's no winning this issue politically.
Either Harris or Trump will be president in 2025, choose which one more closely aligns to your values and policy goals. If you care about Gaza and Palestinians, I don't know how that choice isn't Harris.
Weird how they seemed way less scared to touch one side of the issue than the other. They should be more scared to touch the other side. The protests should be louder, more numerous, and more in their face.
What's the goal of the protests? For fewer people to vote for Harris or for Harris to change her position? Coming out against Israel, even if it's the proper position, is going to turn off a lot of voters. It seems these protests will, if they have any effect at all, cause fewer people to vote for Harris. A Trump reelection is a fundamental threat to every issue I care about. These protests are flawed at every level. Perfect should not be the enemy of good, and Harris is, unequivocally, a positive for Palestinians.
or choose neither and take a goddamn stand for once and show these puppets of the elites it is all or nothing
There is no "neither" option. One of them WILL be president. Let me save you time and there's never going to be a candidate but you agree with on every issue.
If you want to make a fundamental change in the electoral process, the middle of a general election isn't the time. You literally cannot change the process at this point.
Where’s Joe Biden now?
Do NOT say fundamental change can’t be made or started in the middle of a general election. Protest works and that scares some of you
I'm going to guess the White House, but I'm not sure, it wasn't my turn to watch him.
I assume you're alluding to Harris replacing Biden, which doesn't address my point. Dem and Rep running, one of them will be president.
The United States has a FPTP system, you're never going to get a third party candidate to win the presidency. You would need to reform the system.
You legally cannot change the election process two months before an election.
Protest is fine, but you should ask what your goal is. Trump is worse than Harris on Gaza, Palestine, and Israel. Frankly, it's not even close. So if your protest would cause people to not vote for Harris, then you're helping to elect Trump. Actions have consequences, just be sure you understand what they are.
For the record I'm for a Palestinian state and against genocide, but there are actions that further those causes and actions that don't.