“Lesser Evil” Harris-Walz Ticket Pursues Pro-War Agenda

Four Questions and Answers Following the Democratic National Convention

[Following is an interview published originally in the August 28 issue of Workers Tribune (France) with Alan Benjamin and Mya Shone, members of the Editorial Board of The Organizer. The interview was conducted by Jean Allain.]

Question 1: At the Democratic National Convention, former President Obama, vice presidential candidate Walz, and UAW President Shawn Fain all spoke about the idea that a Democratic victory would be a fulcrum for workers and unions: What is your opinion?

The Democratic Party Convention kicked off with speeches from presidents of six national unions and the AFL-CIO. Thunderous applause rocked the hall as United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain revealed his bright red T-shirt emblazoned “Trump Is a Scab” (strikebreaker).

“For the UAW and for working people everywhere,” Fain declared, “it comes down to one question: what side are you on? On one side we have Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who have stood shoulder to shoulder with the working class. On the other side, we have Trump and Vance, two lap dogs for the billionaire class who only serve themselves.”

In fact, both parties are funded by and serve “the billionaire class”. Where they differ is in the most effective method to control the working class.

The Democratic Party, despite its rhetoric, is no “friend of labor.”

Democrats have not delivered on labor priorities – such as a ban on striker replacement and a federal law to strengthen the right to organize – even when the party controlled the presidency and both houses of Congress. Moreover, Democratic presidents have intervened to thwart strikes, just as Biden did in December 2022 against the railroad workers. 

It is long overdue for labor to break with the parties that serve the masters and forge a working-class party that advances and fulfills our interests.

Question 2) Many Democratic voters, at the instigation of the party’s “left,” had voted “uncommitted” in the primaries to express their protest against Biden’s policy in Gaza. Was there an attempt to make the convention take a position on the genocide of the Palestinian people?

The Democratic Party platform calls for “an immediate and lasting ceasefire deal” without any reference to an embargo on arms sales to Israel. The 30 “uncommitted” out of 4,700 delegates did not have the forces to change the Party platform.

They proposed to have a pediatric intensive-care doctor describe the horror she witnessed in Gaza. But their persistent attempts to bring the issue of Palestine to the convention floor fell on deaf ears. Their fallback proposal of having a Palestinian American address the convention also was denied.

Not even a last-ditch effort from UAW leadership made a difference.

“If we want peace, if we want real democracy, and if we want to win this election,” the UAW warned in a post on X, “the Democratic Party must allow a Palestinian American speaker to be heard from the DNC stage tonight.”

Instead, Vice President Harris concluded the convention on Thursday by stressing forcefully her unequivocal support for the Zionist state and its “security,” that is, the longstanding position of U.S. imperialism. Her brief mention of the massive death toll of Palestinians in Gaza and lip service to Palestinian self-determination came across as obligatory empty rhetoric.

The daily street protests of tens of thousands at the DNC, however, stressed the connection between U.S. involvement in the war against the Palestinian people and attacks on basic rights, defunding education, housing, and healthcare in here in the U.S. But again, the protesters were ignored.

Question 3) The convention is being held at a time when Ukrainian troops armed by NATO are invading Russia. Were there any voices at the convention against the war and the hundreds of billions poured into it?

No. The opposite was true. The final day of the convention especially paid homage to the U.S. military, U.S. military alliances, and the importance of increasing U.S. military strength. Featured were Democratic Party members of Congress and the Biden administration who served in combat, such as Arizona Senator Mark Kelley, who flew 39 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm, and Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, who lost both legs after the Black Hawk helicopter she co-piloted was struck in 2004 during the rampage against Iraq.

One of the major points made by former Illinois representative Adam Kinzinger, one of several prominent Republicans who spoke at the DNC, was that “The Democrats are as patriotic as us.” While Kinzinger said that he may differ with Democrats over some policies, he asserted that “they are as eager to defend American values at home and abroad as we conservatives have ever been.”

One of the major points made by former Illinois representative Adam Kinzinger, one of several prominent Republicans who spoke at the DNC, was that, “The Democrats are as patriotic as us.” While Kinzinger said that he may differ with Democrats over some policies, he asserted that “they are as eager to defend American values at home and abroad as we conservatives have ever been.”

Year in and year out both political parties approve the “defense” spending budget without question, even while they carry on interminable arguments over the crumbs they allocate for childcare, education, housing, and the environment. More than one-half of the U.S. discretionary budget is devoted to paying for past, current, and future wars — $916 billion for 2023.

Rather than decry the impact of the cost of war, Kamala Harris stated instead, “I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world.”

Question 4) One of the notable speakers at the convention was Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a leading figure of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). What are her policies and objectives?

AOC, as she is commonly known, is a rising star in the Democratic Party as well as a central leader of DSA. She was a featured speaker on opening night of the convention, where she urged the American people to support Harris and Walz.

She has been co-opted fully into the Democratic Party leadership and is clearly aiming to rise in its hierarchy. Her only comment about Gaza was that there were both dead Israelis and Palestinians – and Kamala Harris is working tirelessly for a ceasefire. A prominent leader of one of the twin parties of U.S. imperialism, she remains a top figure in DSA, soiling the concept of socialism like many have done before her.

Independent voices of union activists, however, were heard in Chicago’s streets throughout the four-day convention. The Real News Network spoke withs unionists gathered behind a banner that read: “Organized Labor Stands with Palestine.” A Chicago teacher unionist told TRNN:’

“I think we have to do things like take work action — action on the docks that are providing shipping services to bring material to Israel’s war. We have to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, but we must also stop sending aid to Israel. Stop sending bombs and weapons. …

“The [Democratic Party] candidates are not going to get a guaranteed vote from everyone just because we don’t want Trump. Obviously, we don’t. Nobody wants another four years of that nonsense, but it’s sad that these are our only two options. I see Kamala as just Biden 2.0. We need to have a Labor Party. We need to have other parties that can have candidates that people will want to support and vote for.”

We agree. The trade unions must break with the Democratic Party and build a Labor Party rooted in the unions and oppressed communities.