Mitch Landrieu, the national co-chair of President Biden’s reelection campaign, disagreed with Sen. Bernie Sanders‘ comparison of current college protests to those during the Vietnam War, calling it an “over-exaggeration.”
Sanders had suggested that the ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses could impact Biden’s reelection, likening it to the Vietnam War’s effect on President Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency. Landrieu acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but distinguished it from the Vietnam War, noting that people who lived through that time would agree it’s not comparable.
Landrieu emphasized that younger voters are concerned about climate, student debt relief, and their freedoms and that Biden has continued to call for humanitarian aid despite the Israel-Hamas war.
He reiterated Biden’s firm stance on resolving the hostage crisis and achieving a cease-fire as soon as possible. Sanders had expressed concern that Biden’s views on Israel and the war could alienate young people and the Democratic base, similar to Johnson’s situation in 1968. However, Landrieu downplayed this comparison, highlighting the differences between the two situations.
Biden addressed the college protests at the White House, condemning violent protests while defending peaceful demonstrations. He also rejected hate speech and violence, including antisemitism and Islamophobia. The situation remains complex, with ongoing debates about the best approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict and its impact on American politics.
