Joe Biden is alienating allies for an enemy he can neither defeat nor appease. This, as they say, is a beginner’s mistake.
I’m talking, of course, about Mr. Biden’s threat that the United States would withhold weapons from Israel to invade the city of Rafah, which the Associated Press calls “Hamas’ last major stronghold in Gaza.”
In doing so, Biden has ceased to be a loyal friend to Israel, an ally that legitimately views Hamas as an existential threat.But he’s also distancing himself Political Here we are, America’s allies. And while we can debate the ethics of urban warfare in Gaza, what seems less controversial is the idea that this is a shrewd political move. Admittedly, that seems very stupid.
Indeed, the October 7 attack and kidnapping all but ensured that parts of the American Progressive Coalition would split as long as the Gaza war continued. But until this week, that section could be dismissed as mostly young militants.
Mr. Biden’s latest move has already disappointed many mainstream Democrats, including but not limited to elected officials, who support Israel and form the core of Mr. Biden’s campaign.
Meanwhile, does anyone really believe that the young radicals on college campuses, the same leftist demonstrators who call Biden “Massacre Joe,” will be appeased by Biden’s latest half-measure?
It’s no secret in politics that you can’t be everything to everyone, and that even if you try to please everyone, you’ll end up pleasing no one. If you try to tear the baby apart, you will end up in the worst possible situation where no one will be happy.
Mr. Biden does not seem to be familiar with these rules of politics. He did not trade norms to win over young radicals, he simply chose to anger both groups.
But it’s actually worse than that. In what could be a very close election, Biden is also limiting his appeal to Never Trump conservatives, who make up a significant portion of the Republican primary vote.
Biden’s comments about Rafa were immediately criticized by Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and others. “It sent a terrible message,” he said.”, and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) called it “wrong and dangerous”
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley criticized Biden’s decision. “can not forgive”He added, “Israel didn’t start this war, Hamas started it. Withholding ammunition will help the enemy win and endanger the lives of Americans, including the hostages still held in Gaza.” If Haley was looking for an excuse to reluctantly support Donald Trump, she may have found it.
Why does this matter? Just this week, Haley (who hasn’t campaigned in recent months but continues to garner votes) won more than 21 percent of the vote in Indiana’s Republican primary. To be sure, some of these Republican primary voters have probably already decided not to support Trump, and others will inevitably fall in line with the Republican standard-bearer. But certainly some of these never-Trump conservative voters or was— can win over Biden voters.
That’s because traditional Republicans (and I include myself here) still believe in a strong national defense. We still believe in internationalism and the unwavering support of our allies. We still believe in moral clarity. And with the exception of the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal (a big exception, to be sure), Biden was in a better position to be the candidate of people with these views. That is, until this week.
as Atlantic’s David Frum pointed out that“Biden will seek reelection in November on a foreign policy record that includes the debacle of leaving Afghanistan, inconclusive wars in Europe and the Middle East, and no new trade deals.” There had to be a clear success. Israel’s war could have been that too. But it’s too simple.
It’s like he’s about to lose.
Next, rub salt into the wound. Zero self-consciousnessBiden’s official X account Tweeted the following words: “As long as I’m on my watch, when we make a promise, we keep it. And we don’t leave anyone behind.”
So how is it possible that someone who has been involved in politics for so long would make such an obviously stupid political mistake?
One theory is that Mr. Biden is doing what he believes is the right thing from a substantive policy standpoint. Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said that unfortunately, “he has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue for the past 40 years.”
Another theory is that he was infatuated with young people and captured by a White House staffer who was decidedly more progressive than Biden.
In any case, the situation is not good for the incumbent president, who has already lost the trust of many Americans. If Biden wants to fix this problem before defeating Donald Trump in November, he will have to stop trying to tip the game in Trump’s favor.
My friend and former boss, Morton Blackwell, a top leader in the conservative movement, likes to say, “You can’t make friends of your enemies by making enemies of your friends.” This is a truism that 81-year-old President Joe Biden has yet to learn.
