Some liberal critics of President Biden say his “tone-deaf handling” of the Israel-Hamas conflict shows he is out of touch with most Americans and should pull the plug on his reelection campaign.
The Step Aside Joe Campaign, led by RootsAction.org, said Mr. Biden is turning a blind eye to polls that show most Americans want a de-escalation of violence in Gaza.
“Since the heinous October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas, President Biden has been a vocal backer of Israel’s ’right’ to wage a horrific bombing campaign on the people of Gaza in the name of “self-defense,” the hard left group said in a statement. “Biden’s failure to call for a ceasefire reflects that he is badly out of step with public opinion.”
President Biden’s one-sided embrace of total war in Gaza is further weakening his prospects for reelection, they said.
Citing news reports and polls, the Step Aside Joe campaign said the Biden response is turning off key parts of his base - in particular, Arab and Muslim Americans, as well as younger voters and voters of color.
“In view of the president’s tone-deaf handling of the increasingly deadly Middle East crisis, the Step Aside Joe campaign renews its call for Biden to move aside to make way for new Democratic leadership and an open presidential primary process,” the group said. “The horrifying prospect of a Trumpian return to power urgently calls out for a stronger Democratic ticket.”
Mr. Biden last week became the first president to visit Israel during a time of war.
The trip came on the heels of the Hamas terrorist attack that left more than 1,300 dead, including more than 30 Americans, and roiled the Middle East.
Israel has countered with airstrikes and has been preparing for a ground invasion of Gaza.
The conflict has infuriated corners of the Democratic Party.
Mr. Biden, meanwhile, assured Israelis during his trip to Tel Aviv that they “are not alone” and said the U.S. would make sure “you have what you need to protect your people, to defend your nation.”
In addition to providing $100 million in humanitarian aid for Palestinians caught in the crossfire, Mr. Biden also has pressed Congress to approve a $105 billion package - most of which would go to helping Israel and Ukraine in the midst of two wars.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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