Michigan governor says not voting for Biden over Gaza war ‘supports second Trump term’

MicroWave@lemmy.world to politics @lemmy.world – 470 points – Michigan governor says not voting for Biden over Gaza war ‘supports second Trump term’
theguardian.com

Gretchen Whitmer responds to calls by some Democrats to vote ‘uncommitted’ in Michigan’s primary on Tuesday

Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan governor, pushed back on calls to not vote for Joe Biden over his handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict, saying on Sunday that could help Trump get re-elected.

“It’s important not to lose sight of the fact that any vote that’s not cast for Joe Biden supports a second Trump term,” she said on Sunday during an interview on CNN’s State of the Union. “A second Trump term would be devastating. Not just on fundamental rights, not just on our democracy here at home, but also when it comes to foreign policy. This was a man who promoted a Muslim ban.”

Whitmer, who is a co-chair of Biden’s 2024 campaign, also said she wasn’t sure what to expect when it came to the protest vote.

Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat who is the only Palestinian-American serving in Congress, urged Democrats last week to vote “uncommitted” in Michigan’s 27 February primary.

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Why do you think the neoliberals running the DNC will let ranked choice happen?

FPTP is the only reason neoliberals and Republicans can get elected, while they control both parties, we'll never get rid of it.

To get ranked choice, progressives first have to replace neoliberals, and then win so many elections it doesn't matter what Republicans want.

RCC isn't the cure, it's what we do after we win. Because it's not going to happen until after we win.

For anyone confused or refuting this in their mind, look up the DNC's history on ranked choice and the efforts they've used to stop it. The only effective legislation passed in a few states was done by citizens with outside state help.

Any reason it can't be done by referendums brought forward by the voters. Just need so rich Hollywood types to put up money and support.

It's complicated and I could go into details about every nuanced situation for a few hours. A few highlights,

There are 24 states that do not provide for statewide citizen-initiated ballot measures (link)

Alaska for some reason is my favorite example

Ballot Measure 2 supporters spent nearly $7 million and campaigned for a year and a half ahead of the election (outside state support). Brett Huber, campaign manager of the leading vote-no group, said his team “had a short amount of time and a lot less money, and we tried our best” (opponents to RCV). Ballot Measure 2 has received the support of 50.55% of Alaska’s voters (link)

So its slightly possible, with millions of dollars from outside state support, years to campaign, and catching the main political parties unaware of your movements.