In its ongoing coverage of Biden's campaign, the Associated Press has reported that the President plans to visit Michigan on Thursday following his recent endorsement from the United Auto Workers Union.
In a simple statement the President of UAW, Shawn Fain stated "The UAW knows where we stand, and who stands with us - Joe Biden."
However, the President's visit to Michigan does not include meetings with Arab Americans who have continually grown frustrated with the President's support of Israel in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The state of Michigan currently has the highest density of Arab Americans in the nation. The Mayor of Dearborn, Abdullah Hammoud, has stated the following "Why not have a meaningful conversation for how you change course with a community that has first-hand accounts of what it's like to live in the countries where your decision-making is unfolding?"
The state of Michigan has made an interesting shift leaning more towards the Democratic party in recent years. To add on the party currently holds all levels of government which has not happened in over four decades according to the Associated Press. Democratic representative, Debbie Dingell has said that the party would need to build and maintain a strong pool of voters to maintain their position in the state.
Dingell also stated the following "Michigan is a purple state. I say that to everybody. "Clearly, the Arab American community matters. But young people have to turn out. They were very decisive two years ago in voter turnout. A lot of the union leadership has endorsed the president, but we've got to get into the union halls and do the contrast so people really understand what it's about. And we've got to make sure women and independents turn out. You know, we're a competitive state."
Biden's campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez has recently led a group of campaign advisors to the Dearborn area to meet with various core support groups across the country however her meeting with some community leaders was cut short as Arab American leaders declined to meet with her. Hammoud was one of those community leaders and has been quoted calling these meetings "Dehumanizing" as the meetings are focused on upcoming elections while people within his community are losing family members in Gaza.
Former Democratic state representative, Sherry Gay Dagnogo, also shared some words stating "The people in the Middle Eastern community are not confused. They are crystal clear on how Palestine has been handled versus Israel. Just to come and visit them without changing your positions is not going to move them. African Americans are not confused either. And so you can't just do visits. A visit is not enough." However, Democratic state senator, Jeremy Moss, who also represents one of the largest Jewish communities in the state does not see Michigan going red should it come down to Biden and Trump. Moss shared the following quote "Is the situation precarious now? Sure. There's no question about it. But we're coming really close to that binary choice. It will be Trump and it will be Biden. And I have to have faith in so many people who, number one, don't want it to be Donald Trump again. And number two, are going to acknowledge Joe Biden's achievements over the last year."
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues more and more will be looking to Biden for action. Especially following the recent attacks in Jordan and recent battles with Gaza's largest city has resulted in civilians being stranded in hospitals.
