President Biden’s co-chair for the 2024 campaign, Mitch Landrieu, pushed back against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ comparison of the anti-Israel protests on college campuses to the events of the 1968 election. Landrieu dismissed the comparison as an “over-exaggeration,” stating that the circumstances today are very different from those of the past. Sanders had drawn parallels between Biden’s handling of the protests and President Lyndon B. Johnson’s lack of support for the Vietnam War in the lead-up to the 1968 election.
Sanders expressed concerns that Biden’s stance on Israel and the ongoing conflict could alienate young people and the Democratic base. The protests on college campuses have intensified in recent weeks, with calls for schools to sever financial ties with Israel and declarations in support of Hamas. Biden condemned the violence and antisemitism taking place on campuses, but faced criticism for taking days to address the nation publicly. Analysts have drawn similarities between Biden’s handling of the situation and Johnson’s approach to the Vietnam War.
During his remarks on the issue, Biden denounced antisemitism and Islamophobia, stating that there should be no place for hate speech or violence of any kind in America. However, his comments were met with criticism for equating antisemitism and Islamophobia in the same breath. Critics have drawn parallels between Biden’s comments and former President Donald Trump’s remarks following the Charlottesville riots in 2017. Landrieu defended Biden’s leadership in addressing the protests, emphasizing the importance of the First Amendment and the right to peaceful protest.
Critics of the president’s handling of the situation have condemned Biden for taking nine days to address the anti-Israel campus protests on camera, despite previous condemnations from the White House. The delay in addressing the issue on-camera has fueled further criticism of Biden’s approach to the protests. Landrieu reiterated the president’s commitment to peaceful protest but emphasized the need to end violence when it arises. The president’s handling of the protests has sparked strong opinions on both sides of the issue, with supporters commending his leadership and critics questioning his response.
As protests on college campuses continue to escalate, President Biden faces mounting pressure to address the situation effectively. His co-chair, Mitch Landrieu, defended Biden’s handling of the protests, praising his strong leadership and commitment to peaceful protest. The comparisons drawn between Biden’s approach to the protests and historical events such as the 1968 election highlight the complexity of the current situation. With passionate opinions on both sides of the issue, Biden’s response to the anti-Israel protests will continue to be closely scrutinized as the conflict unfolds.
