Okay, so I have already voted for Kamala.
Having said that, I will also say that I am tired of the lectures from the wide range of folks on the left--including Bernie and The Nation--about how important it is to be "inside the tent" where the Democrats in power will listen to us. So, we are supposed to vote for Harris because then we will be listened to.
If only I had that same optimism. Here's the thing: in 2024 there were people already inside the tent who were telling Biden to stop the genocide. Not only were they ignored; they were time after time accused of antisemitism by spokespersons for the president. So much for that argument. And it has always been so.
So I get it. I voted for Kamala Harris because she will overall be better than Trump. In the Middle East, I am not so sure. The vote scolds tell me that I should vote for Harris and then I will be at the table to influence policy. My experience has always been that those running the party and deciding policy have a different attitude toward the left: knock on doors for us, send us your money, and give us your vote. Then shut the fuck up because we know what's best. (The Democratic Convention was full of Republicans, but no Palestinian Americans.) The powers in the Democratic Party heed the oligarchs. Different oligarchs that the Republicans maybe, but oligarchs nonetheless.
I hope Harris wins the election on Tuesday, but expect little change in foreign policy in general, and Gaza in particular.
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