Uncommitted voters take on added influence amid swirl over Biden future

Voters who spurned Biden for his Gaza stance could play a crucial role at the Democratic convention.

Following Joe Biden's dismal debate performance and requests from some prominent Democrats to replace him, the hundreds of thousands of anti-war voters and the delegates who represent them have gained new prominence in the US presidential contest.

More than 700,000 supporters voted in the Democratic primary for "uncommitted" candidates after a movement began in Michigan to persuade Biden to call for a cease-fire in Gaza and end US funding and arms sales to the Israeli government.

These voters elected 29 uncommitted delegates to the Democratic National conference, a small but outspoken group that will utilise their position at the nominating conference to advocate for an end to the war. The uncommitted vote is made up of likely Democratic voters who have constantly stated that they oppose Trump and used the primary process to send a message to Biden.

Their message has not altered, though uncommitted delegates reported hearing from more individuals about their potential involvement in the convention since last week's debate. Their only platform is a perpetual truce and an arms embargo, and they continue to focus on Biden, who is still president.

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“People are like, you guys have 10 times the power you did before,” said Asma Mohammed, an uncommitted delegate to the DNC from Minnesota and one of the organizers behind the uncommitted push there.

“The way I was looking at it is, we always have had power. Our story has consistently been powerful, and we have over 700,000 voters that we have been engaged with, who were previously just not going to show up or didn’t know how to engage in this election.”

The uncommitted movement developed swiftly across several states, gaining traction among voters who wanted to express their opposition to the United States' involvement in the war but were otherwise unwilling to commit to Biden, despite the fact that they do not favour Trump and do not want him to win. Following Michigan, it had strong showings in Minnesota, Hawaii, and Washington.

Throughout the campaign, uncommitted leaders have regularly stated that they would support Biden provided he agreed to their anti-war demands - and they have repeated this promise now, at a moment when Biden requires all possible support.

“We’re not hinging our advocacy on whether or not President Biden decides to remain the candidate,” said Abbas Alawieh, a spokesperson for Uncommitted National Movement and an uncommitted delegate to the DNC from Michigan. “Regardless of whether or not he decides to remain the candidate, he remains the president through January 2025, and we need him to stop supplying weapons long before that.”

Since the protest began, Biden has called for a cease-fire in Gaza. However, Alawieh clarified: "If the president is serious about delivering a ceasefire, he needs to stop supplying the weapons that are preventing a ceasefire."

The uncommitted movement has heard from Biden delegates across the country who support the anti-war platform, and the uncommitted delegates hope to collaborate with them at the DNC to demonstrate to the president - or any other potential nominee - that the party's base does not support US funding of the war, Alawieh explained.

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The Uncommitted National Movement is open to the idea of an open convention if it becomes a viable option, but it will not back any specific candidate, and any candidate seeking its support must agree to an arms embargo.

They have offered Biden, through contacts on his campaign, in the DNC, and at the White House, to mobilise people for him if he implements a weapons embargo. It'd represent "an opportunity for us to unite in both saving lives now and in preventing Donald Trump from getting into the White House again" , according to Alawieh.

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They haven't heard back from Biden's campaign yet, but are hoping to.

Mohammed and other Democrats are concerned that they may lose votes in November because people will not turn out. Biden can become the candidate that undecided people desire by utilising his influence to advocate for an end to the war, which might transform his chances.

A fresh candidate has unique issues, such as name recognition. There is no easy road forward. Mohammed believes Biden will remain the nominee, which strengthens the case for continuing to put pressure on him over the war. And she believes he can yet win if he recruits undecided votes.

“I think we still need to push him to be better. Because right now, half the nation is disappointed.”