The "Abandon Biden" initiative has rebranded as "Abandon Harris," shifting its focus towards Vice President Kamala Harris in the run-up to the presidential election.

The campaign now aims to sway Muslim-Americans and their allies against Harris by criticizing her policies on Gaza and encouraging votes for third-party candidates, Fox News reported.

Origins and Evolution of the Campaign

The campaign initially began in Dearborn, Michigan, targeting President Biden's administration for its pro-Israel stance. As discontent grew, the focus shifted to Harris following Biden's exit from the presidential race in July.

Post-rebranding, "Abandon Harris" has expanded its operations to key swing states, including Wisconsin and Minnesota, aiming to replicate the influential voter turnout seen in Michigan's primaries, where over 100,000 uncommitted ballots were cast.

Strategic Shifts Following Leadership Change

The transition from Biden to Harris as the Democratic presidential candidate prompted a strategic shift in the campaign's focus. Launched on August 19, "Abandon Harris" seeks to capitalize on perceived missteps by Harris during a rally in Michigan.

According to campaign statements, Harris' responses at the rally underscored her alignment with policies the campaign opposes, particularly U.S. military support for Israel amidst the Gaza conflict.

Public Statements and Campaign Messaging

The Abandon Harris campaign stated, "This action is a direct response to Kamala Harris' support for the ongoing genocide in Gaza," reflecting a stark condemnation of current U.S. foreign policy as managed by the Biden-Harris administration.

The campaign articulated in a fiery release, "We are not interested in hollow rhetoric, empty platitudes, or shallow calls for a ceasefire while the Biden-Harris administration continues to send weapons to Israel, enabling the indiscriminate slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza and fueling a wider regional conflict."

Non-Endorsement Stance and Political Strategy

The Abandon Harris campaign has not formally endorsed any third-party candidate but strongly encourages support for alternatives to the main political parties. "At this time, we have not issued an endorsement of any specific third-party candidate. If and when that changes, we will announce it," explains the campaign's recent release.

The campaign strategically supports third-party candidates to challenge the current political status quo, particularly regarding U.S. policy towards Israel.

Explicit Non-Support for Trump

The Abandon Harris campaign explicitly states that it does not support former President Donald Trump, despite its opposition to the Democratic ticket. This stance stems from the campaign's disagreements with both major parties' policies, especially those related to foreign affairs and national security.

"We remember Trump's decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, as well as his stance during Gaza's Great March of Return. We have consistently urged voters not to support either the Democratic or Republican parties while also making it clear that sitting out the election is not an acceptable option," said a spokesperson from the campaign.

Impact on Polls and Voter Sentiment

Current polls show Harris maintaining a slight lead in both Michigan and Wisconsin despite the vigorous campaign efforts. This suggests a complex electoral landscape where various factors influence voter sentiments beyond single-issue campaigns.

The "Abandon Harris" campaign, however, remains undeterred and believes its targeted approach can sway enough voters to impact the election outcome significantly.