DETROIT, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign strategy has gone beyond typical political targeting, tailoring its Gaza conflict messaging to the specific audiences in swing states. The Harris campaign is deploying different ads to two critical, and ideologically divided, voter bases: Muslim communities in Michigan and Jewish communities in Pennsylvania.
This divide-and-conquer approach, while strategically designed, carries the potential to create even more distance between the groups, with indications of a campaign some say is already marked by duplicitous and deceitful messages depending on who the campaign is targeting.
A campaign of empathy for Michigan’s Pro-Palestinian voices.
In Michigan, where the large Muslim population includes more than 241,000 residents, Harris’s campaign ad adopts a tone of empathy and urgency, promising not to “be silent” about the suffering of Palestinian civilians. Her words resonate with those outraged over the casualties in Gaza, particularly in Dearborn, where pro-Palestinian activism runs deep. Harris’s stance appears crafted to speak directly to these concerns, showing her dedication to addressing Palestinian suffering – a message intended to soothe frustrations about her ties to an administration seen as supportive of Israel’s military stance.
A strong message in Pennsylvania in support for Israel’s security.
Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, home to over 434,000 Jewish residents, Harris’s message does a near 180. The ad airing here emphasizes that Harris will always stand up for Israel’s “right to defend itself,” targeting voters who prioritize Israeli security and resonate with a more hawkish stance. This ad portrays Harris as a steadfast supporter of Israel, in line with Pennsylvania’s Jewish communities who have grown frustrated with any perceived wavering from the administration regarding Israel’s defense.
A tale of two ads: Michigan vs. Pennsylvania.
These conflicting ads appear to be a desperate attempt to cover both sides, strategically broadcasting a sympathetic tone toward Palestinians in Muslim-dense Michigan, while doubling down on a pro-Israel message in Jewish-populated Pennsylvania.
The reason is obvious to most: Michigan’s large Muslim community could be key in securing votes in this crucial swing state, just as the support of Jewish voters in Pennsylvania could provide a much- needed edge in one of the country’s most politically charged battlegrounds.
But in trying to play both sides, Harris risks sounding insincere, and voters are noticing. In a media landscape where ads don’t stay confined to one state anymore because of the internet and social media, people can easily see both versions of her message.
Surprisingly, it was left-leaning CNN that broke the story, sparking swift backlash. Both Muslim and Jewish voters are now questioning whether Harris’s campaign truly understands their priorities – or is simply viewing them as a demographics to be easily manipulated.
Trying to please everyone often displeases everyone.
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The irony in all this flip-flopping is that Harris might lose support from both sides. Muslim voters in Michigan, many of whom see U.S. funding of Israel’s military as enabling the suffering in Gaza, are already skeptical of Harris’s place in the Biden administration. Her Michigan ad promises compassion, but her inability to take a firm stance in favor of Gaza peace efforts has frustrated many in Michigan’s Muslim communities, some of whom are now voicing disappointment with her approach.
On the other hand, Jewish voters in Pennsylvania are equally fed up with what they perceive as inconsistent support for Israel from Harris and the broader administration. Her Pennsylvania ad may emphasize Israel’s right to defend itself, but her flip-flop stance leaves many wondering if she’s genuinely committed to supporting their concerns or just looking to collect votes.
When in Michigan, Harris speak to Muslims; when in Pennsylvania, she pivots to Jewish voters.
The Harris campaign’s strategy raises a big question: does Harris stand by a clear set of principles, or is she merely a political chameleon shifting colors to suit local tastes? In her recent rallies, she clearly shows annoyance when pro-Palestinian protesters show up at her events, causing her to scowl at the offenders.
Trump secures Muslim support.
Trump, on the other hand, sensing an opportunity, has pivoted his campaign to target Michigan’s Arab- American population, a group some accuse him of largely alienating in his previous campaigns. During his recent appearance in Dearborn, Trump made promises of Middle Eastern peace and cast himself as the candidate willing to break the cycle of violence, saying, “You’re going to have peace in the Middle East” under his leadership.
His visit is being seen as an unprecedented attempt by a Republican nominee to sway Michigan’s Arab- American voters, who have historically leaned Democratic but have become increasingly disillusioned by the Biden-Harris administration.
Michigan Congresswoman Tlaib hasn’t endorsed Harris.
Meanwhile, Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) has refused to endorse Harris, highlighting deep divisions within the Democratic Party, especially on foreign policy. Her stance was evident at a United Auto Workers rally in Detroit on Friday, November 1st, where, despite a strong pro-union speech, she omitted any mention of Harris.
Up for re-election herself, the Squad member’s focus remained on local judicial races and union priorities, further distancing herself from the national Democratic ticket. Tlaib has been a vocal supporter of her sister Layla Elabed’s “Uncommitted” movement which had Democrats voting “uncommitted” during the primaries instead of for Biden as a protest vote and has not endorsed Harris for president.
By withholding support of Harris, Tlaib and the Uncommitted movement are signaling their frustration with the administration’s stance on Middle Eastern conflicts and is most likely hoping that other Arab- Americans do the same.
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