It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
Sunday, November 03, 2024
Rashida Tlaib refuses to endorse Kamala Harris as Gaza war takes toll on Dem voter base
Anders Hagstrom
F0X NEWS Sat, November 2, 2024
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., refused to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris at a rally in Detroit, Michigan on Friday.
Tlaib appeared alongside fellow "squad" member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and members of the United Auto Workers union. While Ocasio-Cortez and other speakers threw their support behind Harris, Tlaib only urged Michiganders to get out and vote and didn't mention Harris, according to the Detroit News.
"Don’t underestimate the power you all have," she told rally-goers. "More than those ads, those lawn signs, those billboards, you all have more power to turn out people that understand we’ve got to fight back against corporate greed in our country. … We’ve got to make sure that the nonpartisan part of the ballot gets filled in."
Tlaib has been heavily critical of the Biden-Harris administration's handling of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. Her stance mirrors that of many Muslims and Arabs in the U.S., a demographic that has a large representation in Michigan.
Tlaib issued her most stark rejection of the Harris-Walz ticket in September during an appearance on MSNBC. She said at the time that she had many consituents come to her saying they did not feel their could support Harris and she told them, "there’s other people on this ballot that support a ceasefire. There’s other people on this ballot that can protect our community."
There are multiple third-party candidates for president on the ballot in Michigan, including Jill Stein and left-wing activist Cornel West.
Harris' campaign is attempting to play both sides of the Gaza conflict, appealing to Jewish voters in Pennsylvania by highlighting her support for Israel's autonomy, while condemning the violence in Gaza in ads aimed at Michigan Muslims.
A report from CNN on Friday put a spotlight on the Harris campaign's divergent Facebook ads.
"And let me be clear- I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself," Harris says in the Facebook ad, which had been taken from her DNC convention speech. "And I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that a terrorist organization called Hamas caused on October 7, including unspeakable sexual violence and the massacre of young people at a music festival."
Anti-Israel protesters disrupt Vice President Kamala Harris with chants of 'Kamala, Kamala, you can't hide, we won't vote for genocide!' as she speaks to several thousand attendees at her presidential campaign rally in Detroit.
After an edit, Harris adds, "And know this: I will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend our forces and our interests against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists."
Meanwhile, the Harris campaign launched a separate ad, this one aimed at Arab-Americans in Michigan, expressing solidarity with civilians in Gaza.
"What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is devastating," Harris says in the ad. "We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering and I will not be silent."
In another speech featured in the same ad," Harris says, "Our common humanity compels us to act."
The video itself is captioned as "VP Harris has been working to end the suffering in Gaza."
Up next
AOC rallies with the UAW in Detroit, says a Harris victory will be delivered by the working class
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
The United Auto Workers Union (UAW) is a fighting union, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said Friday night while rallying with members in Detroit.
Speaking outside Solidarity House, the international home of the UAW, Ocasio-Cortez looked out at the crowd of a few hundred union members, thanking them for all the doors they’ve knocked for Vice President Kamala Harris and for the work they’ve done to protect the working class.
“UAW is going to be the union that protects women’s rights in America. UAW is going to be the front line in defending our democracy in America,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “I’m here because if there’s any place that I want to be on the precipice of such an important moment, it’s with you all.”
The UAW is raising the bar for every working American, Ocasio-Cortez said, not just for autoworkers.
Last year the union waged a historic 46-day strike against Detroit’s “Big Three” automakers — Ford, General Motors and Stellantis — and won new contracts to meet their demands. However, the union is still putting pressure on Stellantis to make good on its promises.
What can be won at the bargaining table can be taken away in the halls of justice, UAW President Shawn Fain said at Friday’s rally. That’s why the UAW gets involved in politics and is fighting just as hard in the election as they did on the picket line.
On stage overlooking the Detroit River, Fain quoted former UAW President Walter Reuther, saying, “There’s a direct correlation between a ballot box and a bread box.”
“The billionaire and corporate class don’t stop their attacks at the bargaining table,” Fain said. “They don’t stop at the workplace. They don’t stop at the border. They will take every inch that we give them. And the UAW founding leaders made it our responsibility to engage politically.”
Detroit is where solidarity was built, Fain said, and America was built by solidarity, not billionaires or politicians. And on Tuesday, the UAW is betting on the fall of former President Donald Trump, who has railed against union organizing.
This summer, the UAW filed federal charges against Trump and his biggest donor, Tesla founder Elon Musk, asserting that they illegally intimidated and threatened workers, after the pair talked about labor practices during a live conversation on X.
The same evening the UAW was hosting its event in Detroit, Trump was hurling insults 20 miles north in Warren, saying Fain is a “poor, stupid fool.”
Several Democratic candidates and officials spoke at the event, including Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Kimberly Ann Thomas, a Democratic-nominated Michigan Supreme Court candidate. Thomas is seeking an eight-year term and is running against state Rep. Andrew Fink (R-Adams Twp.). Justice Kyra Bolden Harris, who was nominated by Democrats, is running for a partial, four-year term against Branch County Circuit Court Judge Patrick William O’Grady, who was chosen by Republicans.
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) encouraged voters not to forget the nonpartisan section of the ballot where state Supreme Court candidates are listed. The two seats up for grabs that will determine the partisan majority of the state’s highest court.
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
Attendees get UAW t-shirts a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
UAW President Shawn Fain speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
U.S. Rep Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
A sign outside a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
Attendees get UAW t-shirts a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
U.S. Rep Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
U.S. Rep Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
UAW President Shawn Fain speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
A sign outside a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
Michigan state Supreme court candidate Kimberly Thomas speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
UAW President Shawn Fain speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
And although Tlaib spoke ardently about her support for the UAW and the need to turn out the vote, she did not talk about Harris. As the only Palestinian American in Congress, Tlaib has withheld an endorsement for Harris out of disapproval for the Biden administration’s Gaza policy.
As Trump and Harris scrape for votes in all corners of Michigan, Arab-American voters and those who support the pro-Palestinian movement could be a crucial in a razor-thin race. Before Harris became the Democratic nominee, more than 100,000 Michiganders voted “uncommitted” instead of Biden in the Democratic presidential primary in an effort to draw attention to the violence in Gaza.
Trump, Harris and Green Party nominee Jill Stein have all secured endorsements from various Muslim and Arab-American leaders and groups.
But unlike Tlaib, Ocasio-Cortez and other members of “The Squad” are behind Harris this election. Winning the election for Harris is going to be hard work, but hard work is nothing novel in places like Detroit or the Bronx, Ocasio-Cortez said, adding that her New York neighborhood is like the cousin of Motown.
“We got the same fight and spirit out here. We got a chip on our shoulder because we know what it means to be underestimated, and we know what it means to come from a place where people want to talk down on us, but they actually don’t know the first thing about us,” Ocasio-Cortez said, a jab at Trump’s comments last month while in Detroit saying, “Our whole country will end up being like Detroit” if Harris becomes president.
There’s no shame in hard work, Ocasio-Cortez said, recalling doing her homework on other people’s kitchen tables growing up while her mother cleaned other people’s houses. She would later join her mother cleaning houses and then worked as a waitress before beating a 10-term incumbent to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Hell yeah, we’re gonna be like Detroit,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “We’re gonna knock on every door. We’re gonna turn out the vote, and we’re gonna remind people what happens when you forget where you come from. … Because Detroit will not allow a scab in the White House, not if UAW has anything to do with it.”
Trump is sowing seeds of division, Fain said, adding that he’s no different than bosses that attempt to halt labor organization in order to hold onto flimsy power at the expense of the working class. Disinformation is one of Trump’s biggest tools, along with turning members of the working class against each other.
But Michigan sees through the lies, Benson told the crowd.
Right now there is a “very serious, coordinated effort rooted in lies and misinformation and discord” trying to convince Michigan voters that the election doesn’t matter, that the results won’t be accurate, Benson said. This is Trump’s repeat of his attempts in 2020 to sow chaos amid the democratic processes, saying the election was “stolen” and inciting the violence of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Trump is trying to make voters feel small, like their voices don’t matter, Benson said, in an effort to roll back the advancements of democracy, advancements the UAW has also fought for.
“What those bullies don’t want us to do is stand up to them,” Benson said. “We’re going to stand up to anyone, anywhere, anytime who tries to stand in the way of our rights and our freedoms. We will stand up to bullies. We will stand up to lies. We will stand up to anyone who tries to take our voices away and say ‘Not on our watch.’”
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