Vice presidential candidate Tim Walz recently addressed Democratic Muslim voters in an effort to engage a group of voters who are considering defecting due to their discontent with the Biden administration’s handling of the situation in the Middle East. This virtual event, organized by Emgage Action, was the most direct effort by the Harris campaign to reach out to conflicted Muslim and Arab voters. Walz, who is generally well-regarded among his state’s large Muslim population in Minnesota, assured the audience that a Harris-Walz administration would be open to engagement and discussion, even in the presence of disagreements on certain issues. He expressed empathy for the pain felt by the Arab and Muslim community in light of the recent conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Arab and Muslim voters have historically supported Democratic candidates, but some are hesitating to support Harris due to perceived lack of outreach and policy concessions from the campaign. This hesitation could impact battleground states with significant Muslim and Arab populations, such as Michigan. At the Democratic National Convention, party officials denied a request for a Palestinian American to speak about the situation in Gaza, leaving activists frustrated. Some disaffected Muslim and Arab voters have turned to third-party candidates or considered staying home on Election Day. Emgage’s national organizing director acknowledged that the decision to support Harris may not be popular among all voters, but emphasized the importance of preventing a victory for Trump.
Despite their reservations, speakers during the event highlighted the potential risks of a Trump presidency for Palestinians and other issues that Democrats care about. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison emphasized that Harris does not have the authority to make decisions for President Biden, but urged voters to consider the larger implications of their choices. Former Rep. Andy Levin offered his personal contact information to anyone needing convincing to vote for Harris, stressing the importance of defeating Trump. Rep. Ro Khanna, a progressive Democrat, criticized the Biden administration’s handling of Israel but pointed out that the alternative under Trump would likely be worse for the Palestinian people.
Harris has been reluctant to distance herself from Biden on policy matters, but some speakers at the event suggested that her position on the Middle East may be more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause than Biden’s. While some Muslim and Arab voters may feel conflicted about supporting Harris, many recognize that the broader implications of a Trump victory outweigh their reservations. The speakers urged voters to consider the long-term consequences of their choices and emphasized that fighting for justice for Palestine may be more feasible with Harris and Walz in office. Despite concerns and reservations, the overall message was that a vote for Harris-Walz is seen as the best course of action for the community in the upcoming election.
