Biden should publicly distance himself from the protesters.

Viewpoint: Biden should distance himself from the demonstrators.

The Republican party is gathering more votes from individuals without a four-year degree, who may feel little empathy for students using college as a platform for anti-Israeli demonstrations rather than academic pursuit. Those who have not attended prestigious schools and see the Democratic coalition hesitant to criticize its rowdy campus factions might find themselves more aligned with the party perceived as favoring social tranquility. So far, the Democratic Party hasn't questioned these behaviors in time for the upcoming fall elections.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has identified the potential opportunity. On Wednesday, he led the House in a vote on the Antisemitism Awareness Act. Yesterday, he announced that House committees would investigate university policies for securing protection for Jewish students, including if institutions should be denied federal funds for their inaction in stopping harassment.

In the Senate, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has denounced students' "dangerous, radical political actions," inquiring whether these institutions prioritize teaching or radicalizing. Republican Ohio Senator J.D. Vance has intensified his efforts to impose taxes on elite universities' endowments, labeling higher education as "expensive daycare centers for privileged children."

Former President Donald Trump has tapped into this sensitive subject. On Tuesday, he uploaded a post on Truth Social featuring images of police detaining students in New York alongside President Joe Biden's voice, suggesting that a voice not many have heard endorses this radical behavior.

The muted voice in this situation can likely be attributed to Biden's attempts to walk a tightrope as the head of a party primarily representing college-educated voters, Israel-skeptical voices, and young people. He's striving for a response that respects the students' objectives while not condoning their blockades and extreme language. His initial statement about the demonstrations last week sought to balance both sides: "I condemn the anti-Semitic protests... I also condemn those who don't understand the situation with the Palestinians."

Biden's delicate maneuvering is problematic. The eye-catching footage of students seizing university buildings offers the White House an opportunity for a "Sister Souljah" moment - establishing a clear break from the radical faction to attract voters in the center.

For those who might not recall, Sister Souljah was a rapper who expressed a desire for violence against Whites during the 1992 Rodney King riots. In a successful bid for the presidency, Bill Clinton gained political points by expressing his disapproval of her remarks before civil rights leader Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition, risking some Black voting support in favor of more moderate and conservative white voters.

In today's electoral landscape, decisive action from the White House - similar to Johnson's legislative initiatives - could seduce politically moderate, college non-attendees (including Hispanic voters, who have been leaving the Democratic coalition). Progressive voters may not like it, but elections are won by catering to the median voter rather than the fervent base.

The White House seems to be waking up to the political dynamics. Following the occupation of Columbia University's Hamilton Hall on Tuesday, the administration's rhetoric sharpened. "Forcibly seizing buildings is not peaceful - it is wrong," stated a White House spokesperson. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on Tuesday described the reported antisemitic language at the Columbia protests as "abhorrent" and said that civil rights investigations of over a hundred campuses were underway.

However, Biden could maximize these developments by emulating Clinton and emphatically disassociating from the protesters' transgressions. This would involve executive actions to support these schools in holding perpetrators accountable. Trump's administration had similarly taken a hard line against universities, such as adding conditions to federal funding for ensuring a safe and equitable learning environment.

Similarly, Biden could use this moment to clash more fiercely with his left wing's agenda after years of obeying their wants. From permitting progressive factions to lead controversial issues like the replacement of the phrase "pregnant mothers" with "birthing people" or implementing disruptive economic policies, the current administration has been an arbitrary follower of liberal tendencies.

However, going after campus activists will not win the votes of many university students. The official student arm of the Democratic National Committee, posted on Instagram on Tuesday, supported the protesters and criticized the president's handing of the Gaza conflict. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether the students at Columbia and other elite institutions represent the broader electorate.

A recent survey from the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School revealed that among 18- to 29-year-olds, issues that receive significant media attention, such as student loan debt and the situation in Gaza, are far less significant in determining their political choices than practical issues such as inflation, healthcare, and housing.

Recently, CNN's Zachary Wolf reported that polls indicate Biden is having trouble appealing to younger voters. Misinterpretation of their interests could play a role in this. Attempting to connect with college activists and recent grads is unlikely to persuade undecided voters when the majority of Americans are not attending a four-year college.

However, Republicans should be cautious about attempting to gain political advantage at the expense of inflaming situations. Videos of police treating protesters roughly, like in some universities, might have undesired consequences. Additionally, comments like those of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who recently signed an executive order demanding universities to "establish appropriate punishments for antisemitic rhetoric on college and university campuses," may not be well-received. While anti-Jewish slogans are offensive, they are still considered free speech, and Republicans should avoid suppressing language protected by the First Amendment.

Instead, Republicans can learn from institutions such as the University of Chicago and the University of Florida. These schools enable students to freely express their opinions, but they're also clear on the importance of maintaining a peaceful environment for learning and promoting a thorough comprehension of intricate issues.

Supporting universities in maintaining public order on their campuses could help establish a more balanced position between the Biden administration and its more progressive supporters. This strategy, backed by concrete actions including the withdrawal of federal funding for institutions that fail to adhere to these standards, would likely reassure independent voters that they aren't backing a political party that is influenced by campus radicals.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators face off with Texas Department of Public Safety officers at the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday, April 24.

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Despite the Democratic Party's hesitance to criticize its campus factions, some individuals without a four-year degree may be swayed toward the Republican Party due to their perceived favoritism of social tranquility over anti-Israeli demonstrations on college campuses. This could lead to diverse opinions about the role of colleges in fostering political activism and balancing academic pursuit with protests.

The debate surrounding these opinions could affect the upcoming fall elections, as voters consider which party prioritizes their values and fosters a balanced environment on college campuses. Emphasizing the need for respectful and peaceful protests while addressing underlying issues could help political leaders garner support from both sides.

Source: edition.cnn.com