CNBC host stunned from a panel of Michigan voters

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:On Monday the Harris campaign kicked a local Muslim leader out of one of her rallies. They didn't offer an explanation for his removal. He had an invitation and was simply sitting in his seat when he was asked to leave:

https://www.metrotimes.com/news/detroit-muslim-leader-ejected-from-kamala-harris-rally-deepening-rift-between-democrats-and-arab-americans-37670193

Then they sent Richie Torres to Michigan to brag that the campaign hadn't made any compromises to Arabs in Michigan in order to get them to vote for Harris.

I am not sure that the Harris campaign understand how many Arab-Americans in Michigan have roots in southern Lebanon. As bad as things were because of Gaza, they have gotten exponentially worse. I have always thought that Harris would win this election and win it easily. But, if she loses, it will because of their treatment of Arab and Muslim Americans and that is completely self-inflicted.

SE Michigan resident here. Ahmed Ghanim, the man removed from Harris's rally, had an unsuccessful run during the Democratic primary and is a hardcore Jill Stein supporter. While it was a seriously bad move of the Harris campaign to eject him from the event, there is talk that Ghanim was not actually invited to the event and was using the invitation from someone else. Another rumor was that he was planning on creating a disruption. Not sure how true these are, but going with the narrative that Ghanim was a Harris supporter that was kicked out for being Muslim is not exactly true either.

As for the Arabic population in the Detroit metro, it's not completely surprising to hear this response from MSBNC however, the Arabic population has never been an ardent supporter of the Democratic party. What the media and most people aren't aware is that the Arabic population is vary diverse in Michigan and includes a significant population that is Catholic and traditionally been conservative and is very anti-abortion. In addition, Muslims have been aligning with republicans on social issues, such as book bans and is not very welcoming of LGBTQ+ people. See an example here: https://michiganadvance.com/2023/10/03/how-some-michigan-muslims-united-with-extremist-republicans-against-lgbtq-rights/

Moreover, there is a significant Jewish population throughout the state that is more aligned with Harris. The Harris campaign probably realizes that they will make more headway with these voters, their base in Detroit and Flint, and swing voters in areas like Grand Rapids.

This is so typical of the response from mainstream Democrats. There is a rumor of this and a rumor of that. Did they seriously kick this guy out because of rumors? Let's say he was going to stage a protest — something for which there is no evidence — can Harris seriously not handle that? In fact, a skilled politician could use that as an opportunity to speak to the issue.

It is simply not true that there have not been large numbers of ardent Democrats among the Arabs in Michigan. I used to do political organizing among Arab Americans and there was huge support among Muslims and Arabs from that area for Democrats. It's not a coincidence that is where Rashida Tlaib comes from.

At any rate, Democrats need to make up their mind. Either the Arabs don't matter, in which case there is no need or hang-wringing threads such as this. Or they do matter, in which cases someone should tell the Harris campaign. Either way, don't blame Arab Americans for not supporting Harris.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither side is immune from the effects of foreign interference and influence online. The far left and the far right are both a threat to democracy when they read terrible sources or don’t read at all. America will die due to irresponsible news for profit, bad blogs, and pretend journalism written and paid for by our enemies.

Your suggestion that Arabs and Muslims in Michigan are not informed about what is happening Gaza and southern Lebanon is insulting. They are probably better informed than you.

When people's families are killed, their homes are destroyed, and hundreds of thousands of people are turned into refugees, it is difficult to convince them to vote for those who are funding and supplying the killing and destruction.

Just an aside, aren't there a large number of Christian Arabs in Michigan?

There are Chaldean Arabs in Michigan.

While there are many Chaldeans and Lebanese Christians there are many Middle Eastern Muslims. The National Mosque is in Dearborn not DC or anywhere else in the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are talking about the YouTube video - that is an interview of three people. Doesn't foretell much.

Typical. They may not be the majority but there is a number worthy of being listened to.

[Anonymous]

Voting for your own deportation is quite the message.

If Trump wins, they’ll be gone by 2028. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when they return to Palestine. The whining will be epic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NBC host Yasmin Vossoughian asked a group of Michigan voter if any will vote for Kamala, none raised their hands.

The genocide in Gaza and Lebanon was their key issue. They felt marganlized and demunized by Biden adminstration.

Many of the panelists said they will vote for Jill Stein. Her support is bigger than polls indicate.

This presentation of the panel is odd. The host isn't "stunned"; she reacts exactly like she does when one person says they're voting for Trump. I have no idea how representative these voters are, but the "HOST IS STUNNED" framing is silly.

https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/lebanese-american-voters-in-michigan-say-they-feel-neglected-by-biden-and-harris-222143557582

During Trump's presidency, the Israel-Palestine and Israel-Lebanon conflicts were more controlled, with fewer large-scale escalations. His strong pro-Israel stance, like moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, sparked tensions but didn’t lead to the massive violence seen under Biden. Trump brokered the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and Arab nations, and consistently vowed to end "endless wars."

Under Biden-Harris, the conflict has intensified, most notably with the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in over 1,400 Israeli deaths and a devastating military response in Gaza. This followed the May 2021 conflict, highlighting the growing instability.

Interestingly, while many Middle Eastern communities in the U.S. may not like Trump personally, they do appreciate his stance on ending wars—something Biden-Harris hasn’t committed to as strongly, especially as violence escalates in the region.

You didn't mention the Palestinian deaths.

[Anonymous]

A vote for Stein is a vote for Trump. The whole point of the Stein campaign is to get Trump elected.

They come right out and admit it.

And here we have Arabs and Muslims working to get islamophobe Trump elected, who wants to ban them from the country. Anyone voting for Stein has been duped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NBC host Yasmin Vossoughian asked a group of Michigan voter if any will vote for Kamala, none raised their hands.

The genocide in Gaza and Lebanon was their key issue. They felt marganlized and demunized by Biden adminstration.

Many of the panelists said they will vote for Jill Stein. Her support is bigger than polls indicate.

This presentation of the panel is odd. The host isn't "stunned"; she reacts exactly like she does when one person says they're voting for Trump. I have no idea how representative these voters are, but the "HOST IS STUNNED" framing is silly.

https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/lebanese-american-voters-in-michigan-say-they-feel-neglected-by-biden-and-harris-222143557582

During Trump's presidency, the Israel-Palestine and Israel-Lebanon conflicts were more controlled, with fewer large-scale escalations. His strong pro-Israel stance, like moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, sparked tensions but didn’t lead to the massive violence seen under Biden. Trump brokered the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and Arab nations, and consistently vowed to end "endless wars."

Under Biden-Harris, the conflict has intensified, most notably with the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in over 1,400 Israeli deaths and a devastating military response in Gaza. This followed the May 2021 conflict, highlighting the growing instability.

Interestingly, while many Middle Eastern communities in the U.S. may not like Trump personally, they do appreciate his stance on ending wars—something Biden-Harris hasn’t committed to as strongly, especially as violence escalates in the region.

You didn't mention the Palestinian deaths.

Sad if anyone here believes Trump gives two shits about Palestinian deaths. Let's be clear, Stein isn't about getting Stein elected. The Stein campaign knows she is unelectable. The whole point of her campaign is to get Trump elected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

To understand why Muslims in Michigan are moving away from Harris, see the video above. It's not just about this election alone but thinking long term about the two party system.

The assumption that Trump will be worse for Gaza is not necessarily true and just a fear mongering tactic by the democrats

That’s an entirely inaccurate statement.

Trump will be worse for everyone in a Democracy. How is that wrong? I assume Muslims here prefer democracy.

Oh boy. What kind of democracy are you talking about? Have you tried telling that to Palestinians? We’ll wait.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NBC host Yasmin Vossoughian asked a group of Michigan voter if any will vote for Kamala, none raised their hands.

The genocide in Gaza and Lebanon was their key issue. They felt marganlized and demunized by Biden adminstration.

Many of the panelists said they will vote for Jill Stein. Her support is bigger than polls indicate.

Voting for your own deportation is quite the message.

You are either admitting that non-citizens vote in federal elections or are ignorant that only US Citizens can vote in federal elections.

Which is it?

No. Stephen Miller just gave a whole speech about denaturalizing them and sending their anchor babies with them. It’s terrible that the people who will be affected are not paying attention. They want all Muslims gone.

[Anonymous]

If this was a group of women advocating for Stein over Harris, they would be roundly dismissed and mocked. Because some of these Arabs are men, of course, it's somehow Harris' fault and not their's. And Jeff, you really need to check your male entitlement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Resulting in a Trump victory, which will only further empower the Israeli right. Very effective.

Yea, Arabs and Muslims who don't vote for Harris are following a "cut of my nose to spite my face" strategy.

Do they really think Trump will be good for Arabs and Muslims in the ME?

Cubans:Hispanics = Lebanese:Arabs

Trump is targeting them hard and he is micro-targeting the Lebanese community

He went on Lebanese TV and has said that the Lebanese part of this war needs to end. Harris has been silent as has Biden.
https://www.newarab.com/news/trump-promises-things-will-turn-out-well-lebanon

Tiffany's in-laws are Lebanese. Tom Barrack is Lebanese.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/17/us/politics/donald-trump-campaign-michigan-arab-americans.html

If Harris loses Michigan it is because of Lebanon not Gaza.

No she loses because of her support of Israel.

If she were to support the Palestinian aspiration to be free from the river to the sea she will also lose.

She supports a two-state solution, which other than genocide, is the only real path, regardless of how much either side destests it.

Agree that Harris supports a two-state solution

It doesn't matter what she supports. She has no power to make it happen and there is no domestic support in Israel for it. She won't cut the purse strings to Israel because they are not inclined toward a 2-state solution, so it's just talk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NBC host Yasmin Vossoughian asked a group of Michigan voter if any will vote for Kamala, none raised their hands.

The genocide in Gaza and Lebanon was their key issue. They felt marganlized and demunized by Biden adminstration.

Many of the panelists said they will vote for Jill Stein. Her support is bigger than polls indicate.

Voting for your own deportation is quite the message.

Right. Just like the mass deportations that happened during Trumps first term. Oh wait.. That didn’t happen

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Resulting in a Trump victory, which will only further empower the Israeli right. Very effective.

Yea, Arabs and Muslims who don't vote for Harris are following a "cut of my nose to spite my face" strategy.

Do they really think Trump will be good for Arabs and Muslims in the ME?

Cubans:Hispanics = Lebanese:Arabs

Trump is targeting them hard and he is micro-targeting the Lebanese community

He went on Lebanese TV and has said that the Lebanese part of this war needs to end. Harris has been silent as has Biden.
https://www.newarab.com/news/trump-promises-things-will-turn-out-well-lebanon

Tiffany's in-laws are Lebanese. Tom Barrack is Lebanese.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/17/us/politics/donald-trump-campaign-michigan-arab-americans.html

If Harris loses Michigan it is because of Lebanon not Gaza.

No she loses because of her support of Israel.

Why is her support of Israel a problem, but not Trump's even stronger support of Netanyahu?

Trumps support of Netanyahu is a way to garner favor and good will with him so he’d consider ending the war which is the best solution that both the IDF and Gazans are looking for.

Everyone in the area including other ME countries and Mossad /IDF itself don’t believe Hamas will be fully destroyed.

It’s time to come to a deal and end the war and go back to normal life

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NBC host Yasmin Vossoughian asked a group of Michigan voter if any will vote for Kamala, none raised their hands.

The genocide in Gaza and Lebanon was their key issue. They felt marganlized and demunized by Biden adminstration.

Many of the panelists said they will vote for Jill Stein. Her support is bigger than polls indicate.

This presentation of the panel is odd. The host isn't "stunned"; she reacts exactly like she does when one person says they're voting for Trump. I have no idea how representative these voters are, but the "HOST IS STUNNED" framing is silly.

https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/lebanese-american-voters-in-michigan-say-they-feel-neglected-by-biden-and-harris-222143557582

During Trump's presidency, the Israel-Palestine and Israel-Lebanon conflicts were more controlled, with fewer large-scale escalations. His strong pro-Israel stance, like moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, sparked tensions but didn’t lead to the massive violence seen under Biden. Trump brokered the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and Arab nations, and consistently vowed to end "endless wars."

Under Biden-Harris, the conflict has intensified, most notably with the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in over 1,400 Israeli deaths and a devastating military response in Gaza. This followed the May 2021 conflict, highlighting the growing instability.

Interestingly, while many Middle Eastern communities in the U.S. may not like Trump personally, they do appreciate his stance on ending wars—something Biden-Harris hasn’t committed to as strongly, especially as violence escalates in the region.

How will Trump solve the Israel-Palestine war or the Russian-Ukrainian war? What's his plans?

Why do you assume a voting 3rd party or abstaining will help Trump? As a PP mentioned above, many of these folks are more conservative than the Dems. You cannot pigeon hole all Muslim Americans into one party or another. It is really maddening that DCUM does not understand this. We’ve really lost the ability to walk someone else’s shoes. We only assume they have shoes or they don’t.

[Anonymous]

The entitlement of democrats is astounding. Racial politics at its finest.