Presidential Primary: Biden vs Uncommitted
Overview
The Presidential Primary between Incumbent Joe Biden and challengers such as Marianne Williamson and Dean Philips has evolved into something else, as “Uncommitted” is being selected as a way to pressure policy toward a ceasefire in Gaza.
Challengers
Williamson and Phillips each received about 9 percent of the vote in Oklahoma[1] but performed less well in most other states, many of which didn’t permit them to appear on the ballot[2] and Phillips has dropped out of the race. Things I prefer about Williamson over Biden include her promotion of universal basic income, criticism of the electoral college, desire to reduce rather than increase military spending and end unconstitutional assassination and combat without congressional approval, support of safe havens and treating drug addiction as a health rather than criminal issue and many other issues.[3] She withdrew from the race in early February but “unsuspended” it a few weeks later[4] in reaction to the up-swell of uncommitted votes in Michigan, which is now the most impactful and relevant event of this primary.
The Uncommitted Movement
A permanent cease-fire and discontinuation of funding Israel military aid until it meets standards of human rights are issues supported by a majority of voters, especially democrats[5] — despite this, the United States government remains one of the most powerful diplomatic and military supporters of Israel, such as by repeatedly vetoing UN Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate cease-fire[6]
Usually Maryland has very little influence in presidential primaries due to falling later in the primary schedule, small population size, heavy democrat majority electorate and other factors. however, this year their is a major movement to maximize Maryland’s ballot option of “uncommitted” to influence presidential candidate and incumbent Joe Biden on international policy — specifically, withdrawing funding from Israel’s military violence visited upon Palestinian population centers[7]
After over 100,000 people (13% of the vote) chose “uncommitted” in Michigan[8], Biden began calling for a cease-fire and allowed the latest cease-fire resolution at the UN to pass[9]. So far at least 15 states have seen uncommitted get more than 10% of the vote against incumbent Joe Biden.
The two arguments against this strategy I’ve come across most often are 1) from those who support Israeli bombardment of Gazan civilian centers as an appropriate form of self defense against Hamas and other militants or 2) that this measure jeopardizes Biden’s election in swing states such as Michigan. This second line of thought is pushed hardest by right wing tabloids such as Fox and it’s affiliates[10] and seems largely inapplicable considering the uncommitted box is only available in the primaries, a process used to determine party candidates and policy — and not the general election[wusa9].
Conclusion
In this year’s Democratic Primary I endorse Uncommitted for President
Delegate to the DNC
A related part of the ballot is selection of delegate to the Democratic National convention. arcane and opaque rules determine who is permitted to run for DNC delegate, determined largely by party leaders rather than an open contest determined by Democrat voters [12].
The particular delegates themselves don’t matter much, it isn’t about them, their entire duty is to be the one to cast their vote for the candidate in parenthesis by their name — my simplest advice on this category is to vote for every Uncommitted candidate if you are in favor of that, and every Biden candidate if you are opposed to the Uncommitted option.
References and Further Reading
[1] https://results.okelections.us/OKER/?elecDate=20240305
[7] https://baltimorebeat.com/uncommitted/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/17/us-uncommitted-voters-biden-gaza
[10] https://www.foxnews.com/politics/growing-uncommitted-movement-could-cost-biden-pivotal-swing-state
