CNN Presents: All Over The Map – The Cracks in the Blue Wall

Overview

In this episode of "All Over The Map," host John King explores the shifting political landscape in the Midwest, specifically Wisconsin and Michigan—two states once considered reliable pillars of President Biden's "blue wall," but where cracks are appearing in his coalition. Through in-depth conversations with community members, the episode examines voter skepticism, the impact of economic issues, the fallout from the Israel-Hamas war, and how alienation among key Democratic demographics could affect the 2024 election outcome.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The Midwest Turns Uncertain

• John King opens by outlining the journey from Pennsylvania (a Biden stronghold) to the evolving battlegrounds in Georgia, before arriving at Wisconsin and Michigan ([00:00]).
  • Wisconsin and Michigan are trending away from Biden, and voter dissatisfaction is rising, especially over economic and international policy issues.

2. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Economic Anxiety & The Fractured Black Vote

Interview with Erik Jones, Milwaukee Real Estate Agent & Political Observer

• Economic Vitality as Core Issue ([01:18]–[02:34])

  • "What [Biden] needs to do is get dollars into these communities. You bring opportunities, you bring jobs, you get votes." – Erik Jones ([02:25])
  • The disappearance of middle-class jobs and economic opportunities weighs heavily, fueling disconnection from politics.

• Frustration with Both Parties and Leadership Stagnation ([02:34]–[03:18])

  • "Both parties need new blood that are working towards the middle and not working towards the edges and the fringes of the parties." – Erik Jones ([02:34])
  • Jones expresses frustration that neither party has introduced fresh, centrist leaders.

• Reactions to Trump’s Conviction & Systemic Inequality ([03:22]–[04:35])

  • Many in the Black community feel a sense of injustice: "So wait, I can't rent an apartment with a felony and he can be president with 34?" – Erik Jones ([03:38])
  • Trump’s legal issues have sparked outrage and highlighted perceived double standards.

• Biden’s Performance: Incremental Progress, Lingering Skepticism ([06:12]–[07:45])

  • While job growth is noted, Jones feels policy impact has not been deep or fast enough to win over skeptical voters.
  • "Sometimes the best thing you can do is to not mess it up...The votes come from the bottom, the money comes from the top." – Erik Jones ([06:53])

• Risks of Third-Party Candidates & Black Voter Fragility ([09:05]–[10:54])

  • Even modest defection to third parties could doom Biden: "Biden's screwed. Simply put, he cannot win this city...with a third party candidate stealing votes." ([09:35])
  • "It doesn't take much for [Black voters] to get off you. It really doesn't." – Erik Jones ([09:53])

• Impact of Gaza Conflict on Michigan & National Democrats ([11:02])

  • Erik notes, "He's probably going to lose Michigan because of Palestine. To be frank and honest with you, there are so many people that are pro Palestine, all they see is blood on his hands." ([11:13])

3. Dearborn/Detroit, Michigan: The Gaza War’s Political Fallout

Interview with Ibrahim Gazal, Palestinian-American Law Student

• A Once-Reliable Democratic Voter Becomes Disillusioned ([13:01]–[14:36])

  • "Last election we were told to vote Biden to save America, and that's what we did...But coming around this year, I don't know if I'm voting at all. But I definitely will not be voting for Biden." – Ibrahim Gazal ([13:46])

• The Human Toll of War and Alienation from Biden ([16:35]–[17:16])

  • Ibrahim shares the trauma of losing 25 relatives in Gaza: "It's been stressful just seeing people that look like me and just human beings ... being killed day in, day out. And what's worse is as an American, I have to see my government funding it." ([16:35])

• Younger Voters and Conditional Support ([18:47]–[20:25])

  • Aid and statements by Biden do not sway him: "There's a big difference between speaking and doing." ([18:47])
  • "He needs to condition the arms trade with Israel. It's as simple as that." – Ibrahim Gazal ([20:30])
  • Ibrahim hasn’t closed the door on voting for Biden: "The only reason I haven’t closed the door is because I think Biden still has an ability to change course and set a precedent for the future." ([22:51])

• Generational Differences Among Arab-American Voters ([21:06])

  • "The older generation...are much more connected with where they immigrated from... For younger voters, we're stuck. Stuck in the sense that it's Biden or Trump." ([21:06])

• Third Party Dilemma & Consequences ([21:41]–[22:41])

  • "I mean, you know, they say a third party vote is just a throwaway. But...it can be a vote on principle; I can’t look myself in the mirror." ([21:44]–[22:00])
  • Even if it risks helping Trump, Gazal believes, "holding [Biden] accountable for how he's spending our tax dollars...I think that's a good thing." ([22:28])

4. Analysis and Commentary: Connecting the Personal to the Political

John King & Ally Malloy Reflect

• Anecdotes Reveal Broader “Cracks” ([24:11]–[25:22])

  • "People feel left out. They feel forgotten...it's not always the president’s fault, but he came there and asked for their votes." – John King ([25:22])
  • Older Black voters even considering abstention is "mind blowing...that's the most reliable voters in the Democratic coalition." ([25:46])

• Milwaukee as a Microcosm ([25:22]–[27:59])

  • Stories of residents from civil rights elders to young activists express deep skepticism or disinterest in voting, underscoring the seriousness of the “crack” in Biden’s base.

• Michigan’s Arab American and Youth Vote Volatility ([28:12]–[29:30])

  • More than 300,000 Arab-American voters reside in Michigan—double Biden's 2020 margin.
  • Key: If Gaza remains the motivating issue, Biden is "in deep trouble."

• Stability Hides Volatility ([29:30]–[30:54])

  • The race feels static because "so many people are unhappy with their choices."
  • Underneath, "there are a lot of pieces bubbling that have the potential...to add volatility": COVID, cost of living, Gaza, abortion, Trump’s re-emergence.

  “You can agree or disagree with them. That’s not the point. But you learn when you listen to them.” – John King ([30:45])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It starts with the dollar and it ends with the dollar." – Erik Jones ([02:33])
• "If a person doesn’t like the order that you bring to their life, chaos actually seems like a better option." – Erik Jones, on appeal of third parties ([10:16])
• "There are so many people that are pro Palestine, all they see is blood on [Biden’s] hands." – Erik Jones ([11:13])
• "Not in a million years would I like to vote for Trump. But coming around this year, I don't know if I'm voting at all. But I definitely will not be voting for Biden." – Ibrahim Gazal ([13:46])
• "As an American, I have to see my government funding it. So stressful." – Ibrahim Gazal ([17:16])
• "I still don’t know who I’m going to vote for. And I think that’s on Biden to decide how he’s going to earn a big population of young voters in this country." – Ibrahim Gazal ([22:00])
• "When you hear that woman say I might not vote...that is mind blowing..." – John King ([25:46])

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Highlights | |------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00–01:18| Introduction & framing | Midwest, Biden's "blue wall" under threat | | 01:18–11:02| Milwaukee voter Erik Jones interview | Economy, Trump impact, third parties, Gaza/Michigan | | 13:01–24:11| Detroit/Dearborn voter Ibrahim Gazal interview | Gaza trauma, Biden’s policies, youth/Arab vote | | 24:11–31:00| Reflections & analysis with John King/Ally Malloy | Trends in Black and Arab votes, turnout concerns | | 29:30–30:54| Stable yet volatile political environment | Causes and consequences of underlying tension |

Conclusion

This episode paints a vivid, nuanced picture of the fraying Democratic coalition in key Midwestern states, using the unfiltered voices of everyday voters. Economic disillusionment and the backlash over foreign policy—especially in Arab and progressive communities—pose significant obstacles for Biden’s re-election prospects. Crucially, the willingness of core Democratic voters to abstain, switch allegiances, or consider third parties could decide the outcome in 2024. Throughout, the podcast underscores the power of listening—and the potent consequences when leaders appear not to.