Opinion: Election or Ideology? President Biden’s Dilemma

By Kohlton Holsapple

April 6th, 2024

President Biden at his infamous divisive speech in Philadelphia "the battle for the soul of the nation"

President Biden faces what could be the largest dilemma of his presidency.

Since the horrific events of October 7th, Israel has responded with the complete leveling of the Gaza strip. This has led to tens of thousands of civilian deaths and untold calamity for those who still endure in what is left of the strip. As an American, one could feel some detachment to these events being so far away geographically. However, Americans are more attached to the issue than they may think. The history of America being Israel’s largest ally goes back decades, with support both diplomatically and militarily. This has enabled Israel to build the most powerful military in the region, despite having a smaller relative population.

Unfortunately for President Biden, the conflict in Gaza is anything but in the rear view mirror. A failed ceasefire, sabotage on humanitarian aid and continuing casualties have mounted as the situation continues to escalate into what many are calling genocide of the Palestinian people. Regional tensions are at an all time high for the 2020s, with US Senators making bold statements to take the war directly to Iran, the most powerful backer of Hamas.

What does this have to do with President Biden’s upcoming re-election campaign? Nearly all of President Biden’s actions have pointed towards continued support of Israel through funding and arms, despite his rhetoric conveying the opposite. A large percentage of left leaning and far left democrats are pro-Palestine. They have been calling for a ceasefire. The President’s actions have left them less than satisfied, with many abandoning support for the elderly statesman, in spite of who is sitting in the aisle across from him in 2024. Many would rather not vote than support what they deem to be genocide. Getting voters to show up to the polls is a pivotal strategy for Democrats in 2024.

The President seems to be in the awkward position of having to choose between continued support of Israel, continuing a multi-decade long trend, or make a desperate bid to save his dwindling hopes at re-election. To win back his former pro-Palestine supporters, President Biden will need to go beyond rhetoric. As long as he is continuing to send arms and financial support to Israel, he risks permanently losing a large chunk of his base. This combined with one of the lowest approval ratings ever as a President, chances at re-election seem like a longshot. Luckily for the President, his opponent is almost equally disliked.

The grim reality of politics coming before the lives of thousands may be more striking now than it ever has been for the general public. Americans will need to choose in November between radical establishment, and radical anti establishment. There is a glimmer of hope outside the two party chaos with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. boasting the best bid at election for an independent candidate in decades. Kennedy, too, however comes with his own baggage, being perhaps the biggest supporter of Israel between the three candidates. Unfortunately for the United States, another divisive election cycle with millions of Americans feeling betrayed by the system could be forthcoming.

President Biden has a choice to make, the lives of thousands of innocents and his chance at a re-election, or the continued support of a nation that seems to have little regard for innocent civilian life as they continue their invasion of the Gaza Strip. Israel relies on the support of the United States. Do not be fooled, this conflict is Biden’s to enable or end.

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