Rashida Tlaib Refuses to Endorse Kamala Harris for President Due to Gaza Policy

[Polybius]

Source: The Algemeiner

US Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) refused to issue an explicit endorsement of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Thursday, instead encouraging voters to throw their support behind candidates who support a ceasefire in Gaza.

While speaking on a panel at the Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, an event sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Tlaib expressed dismay over Harris’s unwillingness to adopt policies advocated by the pro-Palestinian movement. The Michigan congresswoman suggested that the Harris campaign was taking a “risk” in angering voters by continuing to support Israel’s defensive military operations against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in Gaza.

Tlaib told moderator Mehdi Hasan, a progressive journalist and prominent critic of Israel, that some of her constituents in Michigan did not want to cast a ballot for Harris, the incumbent US vice president, because they “don’t want blood on my hands.”

“I tell them, ‘OK, but there’s other people on this ballot that support a ceasefire. There’s other people on this ballot that can protect our community,'” Tlaib said.

Read more: https://www.algemeiner.com/2024/09/13/rashida-tlaib-refuses-endorse-kamala-harris-president-due-gaza-policy/

---

I knew we should have ran a strong primary opponent against Tlaib. Why didn't we?

[iemanja]

1. She's supposed to be a Democrat

She better fucking get with the program or find a new job.

[Palpatine]

2. Why is it

that in the debate, the mods did not ask ANY questions about the Gaza war?! It's a fucking important issue! They covered the Ukraine war -- how could they pass over Gaza?!

[TwilightZone]

3. They each had a question about the war.

Question to Harris:

LINSEY DAVIS: Turning now to the Israel-Hamas war and the hostages who are still being held, Americans among them. Vice President Harris, in December you said, "Israel has a right to defend itself" but you added, "It matters how." Saying international humanitarian law must be respected, Israel must do more to protect innocent civilians. You said that nine months ago. Now an estimated 40,000 Palestinians are dead. Nearly 100 hostages remain. Just last week Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there's not a deal in the making. President Biden has not been able to break through the stalemate. How would you do it?

Question to Trump:

LINSEY DAVIS: President Trump, how would you negotiate with Netanyahu and also Hamas in order to get the hostages out and prevent the killing of more innocent civilians in Gaza?

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/harris-trump-presidential-debate-transcript/story?id=113560542

[NoRethugFriends]

6. Making stuff up? Question to her is below

[JohnSJ]

8. You asked the same question an hour ago in another thread and it was answered. Why are you asking it again?

They did, and VP Harris made her positive very clear. Israel has a right to defend itself, there needs to be
a ceasefire with the hostages returned, provide help for the civilians in Gaza, and work toward a two state solution.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

9. Makes one go hmmm, what have we got here? nt

[JohnSJ]

11. Indeed.

[stopdiggin]

19. thanks, guys - for keeping on top - and calling out when needed.

a question asked once ...
something quite different than just stirring ...

[yardwork]

49. Emperor Palpatine has spread his last lie on DU.

[TwilightZone]

4. This was completely predictable, and her endorsement isn't crucial.

Moving along....

[Butterflylady]

5. I agree......

[KPN]

71. Me too.

[PortTack]

23. Agree...still she continues to do these kinds of things. My question to her...have we, the Dems not supported

You despite disagreements? Geez

[wolfie001]

29. Outside of a few metro areas, she has little support

I like her but this misguided thinking just helps the fat orange madman. Makes zero sense. The Israeli people are the ones who need to correct this. We can apply diplo pressure but fucking c'mon.

[NoRethugFriends]

7. But no blood on her hands if Trump wins?

[Beastly Boy]

10. There are over 700,000 constituents in Tlaib's district

There are a total of 100,000 Democrats who voted "uncommitted" in the primaries in the entire State of Michigan.

Simple math suggests that her agenda does not represent the majority of her district.

[disappearingboy]

12. Perhaps.

But given the closeness of results in the past couple of elections, don't you think this non-endorsement might cost Harris the state of Michigan this time around?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

17. No, but thanks for the concern. nt

[Beastly Boy]

18. No.

Numbers suggest that Harris will not even lose Tlaib's district, not even in the unlikely event that all of Michigan's 100,000 "unaffiliated" Democrats were to reside in it.

We are talking about a relatively insignificant group of people having their fifteen minutes of fame.

[KPN]

31. "Insignificant group"? Or "insignificant number" of people?

Also, my sense is we are underestimating the number of young people nationally who are professing they will vote for Stein instead of Harris because of Gaza.

[Beastly Boy]

36. Both.

Considering that Harris polls better among young voters today than she did when she announced she is running, the number of single-issue young voters appears to be declining rather than rising. I couldn't find more detailed statistics specifically on the Palestine issue, but if the numbers are insignificant in Michigan, the hotbed of the "undeclared" movement, they are even less of a concern nationwide. The number of people voting for Stein was never significant (even in 2016, the Bernie supporting young people who voted for Trump outnumbered Stein voters by a margin of nearly 4 to 1).

And, the people in the "undeclared" camp making up such small proportion of the voting public, not only nationwide but specifically among Democrats in Michigan, certainly makes them an insignificant group, incapable of moving the needle in the Harris/Trump race, even though they made themselves conspicuous in getting disproportional levels of publicity nationwide.

[KPN]

58. I think its more that more younger people are voting rather than

number of single issue is declining. But, yeah, the percent single issue is probably declining as a result of more overall.

[cab67]

53. I don't get that sense about Stein voters.

I work on a college campus, so I'm surrounded by young people whom I hope are voters. Being a college campus, one encounters more left-leaning students than right-leaning.

The same is true of the faculty.

The only Stein supporters I've encountered (and, thankfully, they're few in number) are approximately my age (50's), and they're staunchly anti-war. They want us to disengage from Ukraine as much as from Israel. And they don't seem to care that their decision to vote for Stein is an act of deep selfishness.

Young voters aren't always happy about US policy toward Israel, but they're even more disgusted with the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the fact that Trump is a spiteful, functionally illiterate bigot who shows clear signs of cognitive impairment.

I've noticed the same thing on social media. The bulk of Stein's base, such as it is, is on the older side of the age spectrum. One that I know of Facebook claimed Harris' answers on Ukraine should disqualify her from the presidency. (This person also frequently uses the G-word in reference to Israel's approach toward Gaza.)

I haven't actually taken a poll, so maybe I'm off here, but that's been my observation.

[KPN]

59. Interesting. Im talking mostly with relatives from MI and MA.

Where are you located?

[cab67]

62. Upper Midwest

Red state, but we recruit a lot of students from the Chicago area.

My Facebook acquaintances are from all over the US, and those supporting Stein dont seem to be concentrated in any one area.

I sometimes wonder if younger voters, not having been out of high school that long, still know a bully when they see one.

[KPN]

66. Good question. They also tend to be

idealistic as opposed to realistic — as I was in my own younger years .

[PSPS]

13. Is AIPAC one of her financial backers?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

14. Why would AIPAC be one of her financial backers?

She stands for everything they oppose with regards to Israel.
Unless I'm missing something here, this doesn't make any sense.

[PSPS]

41. Look at what they did to Jamaal Bowman

[MarineCombatEngineer]

47. Ok, and?

What's that got to do with AIPAC being Rashid's financial backer?
AIPAC certainly wasn't Bowman's financial backer, so I don't see the connection here, again, unless I'm missing something here.

[Oopsie Daisy]

55. I can state with great confidence that YOU are not missing anything.

[Polybius]

57. He deserved it

He was replaced with a much better Democrat.

[Cha]

63. Bowman did that to Bowman

by not paying attention to his Constituents.

Thankfully George Latimer Won.

[iemanja]

15. How do you figure that?

[sarisataka]

16. Really?

[TwilightZone]

39. Your query makes one wonder if you know what AIPAC is.

I suspect not, though there's a lot of that going around.

[PSPS]

40. AIPAC wants to undermine democrats to help trump and, by extension, bibi. See: Jamaal Bowman

[MarineCombatEngineer]

48. You're still not making any sense here,

if AIPAC's goal is to hurt Dems, then why would they finance Rashid's campaign.

[yardwork]

50. Nonsense.

[Oopsie Daisy]

56. That is plainly false.

>> AIPAC wants to undermine democrats
That is plainly false. It is a lobbying group based in the United States that advocates pro-Israel policies to the Congress. In fact, it was a DEMOCRAT who defeated Bowman... so this clearly disproves the assertion that AIPAC exists to "undermine Democrats to help Trump".

[Cha]

64. No They Don't.

[betsuni]

69. A misunderstanding of the nutty AIPAC conspiracy theory, which is that AIPAC only funds "establishment" Democrats

(establishment meaning same-bad-corrupt-immoral as Republicans) to rig primary elections against "progressive" Justice Democrats types ("progressive" meaning anti-establishment). Bowman, Tlaib, Bush are JD, AIPAC would never fund them according to the rules of the nutty CT. Cori Bush's comments about AIPAC's diabolical fantasy conspiracy against her are especially ... interesting.

[AZLD4Candidate]

20. Another Tulsi in the making.

[Polybius]

22. Worse

But a lot different. Her main thing is hating on Israel and waiving a Palestinian flag, all while winking at Hamas.

Tulsi's thing was supporting Syria's President Assad, who looks like a Sunday School teacher compared to Hamas.

[SunSeeker]

21. OFFS, Tlaib, there are NO "other people on this ballot that can protect our community" besides Harris.

[PortTack]

24. Exactly

[wolfie001]

30. Yep!!! nt

[Susan Calvin]

78. I am so sick of people

Who do not appear to understand that we are currently stuck with a binary system. Not supporting Harris is supporting Trump.

[Lonestarblue]

25. She's crazy if she thinks Trump, the only other candidate who could win, would be better for Palestinians.

Trump told Bibi to send all the settlers he wanted to the West Bank when he was president. Today he would most likely tell Bibi to just finish killing all the Gaza population so Jared can build luxury resorts there with a cut for his father-in-law.

[KPN]

32. She doesn't think that. Most of the protestors are professing support

for Stein.

[Lonestarblue]

34. Stein can't win, but a vote for her helps Trump win.

[KPN]

67. True. Sadly, they know that, but with limited experience lean

toward voting for Stein anyway. I communicate with some young folks leaning or decisively going 3rd party. They tend to be idealistic and think if not now, when. They want a better world and are impatient. I try to instill some realism in them, snd have made some dents. It’s important to agree with them about their goals I find, bit then lay out the realities. I’m hoping I have influenced at least some of them — I feel I have.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

65. Which is essentially a vote for Been A Dick Donald,

[KPN]

70. See response above. You/we can have an impact on these folks if you/we try. It's.

all about how you/we go about it. I feel like I have moved some to a more realistic position.

[TBF]

68. She is throwing a temper tantrum because Harris doesn't have the exact policy she wants.

She knows full well that a vote for Stein is a vote for Trump.

Trump's comment on Israel is that Bibi needs to "finish" faster. He means clear out Gaza so developers can start working on the coast.

Rashida is an idiot if she thinks there can be any other outcome to this stunt of hers.

[EllieBC]

72. She's an accelerationist.

She thinks if Trump wins it will force a huge swing to her side.

It won’t because there won’t be a her side. There won’t be any other elections and she will likely never have a job again. And then she can cry she didn’t know.

[Aussie105]

27. A lot of Americans are asking, I imagine . . .

why America is supplying the bombs that are killing innocent Palestinians.

If not outright indignant about it, like Rashida, they must at least feel some guilt or queasiness?

Or are those deaths too easily explained away, too easily justified?

I've been in the Israeli/Palestine threads a bit, and there are no clear heads having a rational discussion.

[KPN]

33. Yes, a lot of younger Americans are talking about voting for

Stein instead of Harris for that exact reason. They see the Hamas raid/attack and hostage taking as response to years of attacks on innocent Palestinians in Gaza by Israel. And they see the US as enabling those attacks by providing weaponry.

[Beastly Boy]

37. No matter what your sentiment is, this is but one issue on the table in the next elections.

Last edited Sat Sep 14, 2024, 08:53 AM - Edit history (1)

And it doesn't affect American voters as directly as most other issues.

Sure, there will always be single issue voters who would vocally advocate for their cause of choice, but putting the faulty logic of withholding a vote for Harris to aid the Palestinians aside, polls show they are the minority incapable to influence the outcome of the elections.

[JustAnotherGen]

43. I have 7 voters in my family

Age 25 to 30.

Sisters boys - African American. One married to the daughter of Ivory Coast Immigrants one married to the daughter of Honduran Immigrants.

Sisters Daughter - African American married to the son of a Colombian immigrant.

Brothers daughter - African American, White and Puerto Rican.

In conversations and online - their chief concerns are gun safety (I have have 8 grands from these kids), affordability, small business tax credits (3 are small business owners), and racism . . . in America. Where it permeates everything in Rochester NY, Summit NJ, Dover NJ, and Chatham NJ.

My ivory coast Niece In Law - Registered as a Democrat after the convention and will be a first time voter at 28.

Their daily issues (all of them) do not include Ukraine or Gaza.

[Cha]

61. We're Asking Why is Hamas Hiding in Schools and

Places where Innocent Palestinians are. And Shooting Civiians who are only trying to get Aid.'

And, Why did Fucking Hamas Start this GD War knowing Full Well What would happen.

And Why the Hell are there No Bomb Shelters in Gaza?!!

[yagotme]

85. Well, there ARE bomb shelters in Gaza,

if you're an upstanding member of Hamas...

[EllieBC]

73. Are a lot of Americans that stupid?

Because what’s actually at stake in this election is shit going on in America.

If you don’t actually care about women, LGBTQ, and voting rights I guess you will hang your entire decision on what’s going on in the Middle East.

But then, maybe actually have the balls to admit you don’t care about women, LGBTQ, and the rights of all voters.

[no_hypocrisy]

28. Therefore . . . . .

US Rep. Rashida Tlaib trusts Donald Trump to take a firm hand against Israel and deny them munitions and funding to prosecute their war against HAMAS. Tell Bibi where to get off. Build a homeland for Palestinians.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight . . . . . .

[Vinca]

35. So there are 2 choices. If Trump wins, what does she think he will do? He'll say "nuke 'em."

[JustAnotherGen]

44. She doesn't care

And the African American and Latino/a young people in my family should know she's no ally. She doesn't give a shit about them.

[kansasobama]

38. Rashida looks at one side only

I agree there needs to be a ceasefire in Gaza. Harris and Biden have said so. They have clearly stated that a two state solution is required. It is Netanyahu and Hamas who always find something to not support the Biden plan. What does she want? She does not want to acknowledge the fact that Hamas did attack Israel. Israel's annihilation should not be supported, just as Gaza misery should not be. This is a convoluted dispute that won't be solved that easily. State Department policies cannot be changed just like that. US is obliged to send arms to Israel and Egypt. It is part of the foreign policy document. There is no evidence Hamas have become angels over the long haul. Granted, Netanyahu is missing the US oath.

Rashida is also naive. If Trump wins, you can forget any ceasefire. Netanyahu will raze Gaza to shreds. Gaza protesters will go to Guantanamo, see Proj 2025.

She is playing a very dangerous game. Besides, Netanyahu is not signing anything till after elections. He wants to see if Trump wins. If Harris wins, watch him change some.

[JustAnotherGen]

45. She's not naive

She's selfish.

[4lbs]

42. Oh her. She's such a "non-issue" that I forgot she existed these last three months.

Something tells me she's still trying to be relevant, but failing outside of her small, little, area.

[lees1975]

46. This is a simple issue.

1. Stop pushing demands that are completely unrealistic. They're not happening and this only makes things worse.
2. Harris is the only chance you have for American intervention in the Gaza War that will lead to a realistic solution and relief for the people of Gaza. Instead of incessant demanding, why not get involved in working toward a realistic solution?
3. You've now made the Israel-Gaza war a political issue and created sides. This defeats your purpose, if helping Gaza is your motive. It would be immoral to ride on the back of this as a political issue for yourself.

Think about it.

[quebedox]

51. Why does anyone think the sitting Vice President can/should undermine current foreign policy?

I really don’t get it. Even if Kamala supported an arms embargo, I would be furious if she said so. The current foreign policy is being set by the current President, and anyone worthy of being the next one would not undermine it.

Demanding they do so shows a total lack of understanding how these things work. Put pressure on her after she wins, people.

[Hotler]

52. Okay congress women but, if the orange one wins, no whining should his goon squad kick your door in

and arrest you for being a political enemy.

(snip) In an interview with the conservative outlet Newsmax, Trump seemed to float the possibility of imprisoning his political opponents if he becomes president again.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-floats-imprisoning-political-opponents-rcna155543

[Charlie Chapulin]

54. She can just go and vote for her pick of Russian assets then.

[iemanja]

60. I suspect she will vote for Harris

but she seems reluctant to publicly endorse her because of her constituents. I'm not making excuses for her. It pisses me off. She should be explaining to her constituents why Harris is better on the issue.

[swag]

74. I'll boo. Boo.

[LeftInTX]

75. Next cycle, the Michigan Democratic Party needs to censure her and run a primary opponent against her.

Tlaib can then join the Green Party.

[piddyprints]

76. Well, Rashida,

It's time for someone to introduce you to the facts of life. Your choices are to endorse Kamala Harris or de-facto endorse Donald Trump. Either vote for him or don't vote at all, it's all the same. If Donald Trump wins, that is the end. He will give it all to Bibi and you will have blood on your hands, as will your intransigent constituents. Kamala Harris does support a ceasefire. The principals are not agreeing. Maybe you should go have a word with them and see what you can do?

[Mike Nelson]

77. Huh?

... Biden and Harris have the better position on the war. Some want all the land to be Palestine. Some want all the land to be Israel. I like the Democrats' general position... ceasefire, return hostages, "two-state" without settlements, terrorism, and invasions. Maybe Tlaib wants this, but sees a different way to get there?

[Jose Garcia]

79. "prorect our community"

She's supposed to be representing a district im Michigan, not the Middle East.

[EllieBC]

81. Clearly she's unsure of where she's located.

Guess she doesn’t care about her US constituents and their rights that could be lost under Trump.

[betsuni]

82. She should be reminded, just in case she forgot what her job is.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

83. No reminder is possible, she's secure in her job.

She won the primary, running unopposed. The district is safely Dem, so she's got her job for the next two years.

I'll hold my nose and vote for her in the general election. Because she's Dem. Sort of.

[betsuni]

84. What I mean is her job is not an activist for one particular group, she represents all her constituents

and her party and the U.S., but she's sure she's right and everybody else is wrong.

[betsuni]

80. So the big huge "risk" is that unless Harris adopts "anti-Israel policy" and whatever

else this group thinks of when the goalposts move around, some of them won't vote for her, but she should totally trust they will if only she does what they say or else. Pinky swear!

She's supposed to rearrange foreign policy all by herself and disrupt delicate diplomatic activity just to pander for votes from people who don't know the meaning of genocide, ethnic cleansing, apartheid, and whine about their sad boo hoo feelings of being "neglected."