What's happened
Marianne Williamson has revived her Democratic presidential campaign after a surprising performance in the Michigan primary, finishing ahead of Rep. Dean Phillips. Over 100,000 Michigan voters marked 'uncommitted' in the primary, with President Joe Biden winning over 81% of the vote. Williamson's decision to 'unsuspend' her campaign comes amidst a backdrop of protest votes and challenges for Biden in Michigan.
Why it matters
Marianne Williamson's revival of her presidential campaign and the significant 'uncommitted' votes in the Michigan primary highlight challenges for President Joe Biden in winning over certain voter demographics. The protest votes signal dissatisfaction with Biden's policies, particularly regarding Israel and Gaza. The outcome of these events could impact the Democratic Party's unity and Biden's electoral prospects in Michigan and beyond.
What the papers say
Business Insider reports on the unexpected revival of Marianne Williamson's campaign and the high number of 'uncommitted' votes in the Michigan primary. Axios provides insights into the implications of the protest votes for President Joe Biden and the challenges he faces in winning over key voter groups.
How we got here
Marianne Williamson initially suspended her presidential campaign after facing significant losses to President Joe Biden in previous primaries. Her decision to revive the campaign follows a surprising performance in the Michigan primary, where she outperformed Rep. Dean Phillips. The protest votes marked 'uncommitted' in Michigan reflect dissatisfaction with Biden's policies, particularly related to Israel and Gaza, and highlight challenges for the Democratic Party in uniting its voter base.
More on these topics
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
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Michigan is a state in the Great Lakes and Midwestern regions of the United States. Its name comes from the Ojibwe word mishigami, meaning "large water" or "large lake".
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The Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with its main rival, the Republican Party.
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Dean Benson Phillips is an American businessman and politician from Minnesota. A member of the Democratic Party, he has represented Minnesota's 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2019.
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Marianne Deborah Williamson is an American author, lecturer, and activist. She has written 13 books, including four New York Times number one bestsellers in the "Advice, How To and Miscellaneous" category.