Washington, D.C. | www.mpac.org | July 21, 2024 — President Biden's decision to end his campaign for re-election is a testament to the resilience of American democracy. Despite its flaws, our political system continues to ensure that the will of the people is heard. As the Democratic Party pivots to discuss a new presidential ticket, we must be clear about what led us here.
Biden's decision was not only driven by a poor debate performance or a lackluster campaign in the subsequent weeks. As early as March of this year, MPAC urged Biden to heed the voices of Americans speaking their conscience about the genocide of the Palestinian people.
Despite positioning himself to serve another four years in the White House leading into October 2023, his response to the events of October 7th alienated many within his party, and the broader American public. This misalignment with the will of the people became painfully clear and eroded his support base, particularly among young voters and voters of color, who overwhelmingly disapproved of Israel’s militaristic agenda.
President Biden was already trailing Trump in the polls going into the June debate, and his cratering support within his own party was undeniable given the results of the primaries in Michigan and Minnesota. As Democrats look to select their next nominee, they must recognize the significance of Biden's approach to Gaza and the broader implications for the party's future.
An April CNN poll found that 81 percent of voters under 35 disapproved of Biden’s policy on Gaza and Israel. The party must now select a nominee with a markedly different approach to foreign policy—particularly concerning the Israeli genocide—to win back the support of young people, voters of color, and progressives who have become disillusioned with the party over the past nine months.
Democratic leaders often proclaim that democracy is on the ballot. They must now act accordingly. The Democratic Party now has an opportunity to realign with the values and desires of the people and nominate a candidate that unequivocally supports a permanent ceasefire and the halting of weapons shipments to Israel. This shift is not just a strategic necessity to win back disenchanted voters but a moral imperative to reflect the will of the American people and American values.
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