In addition to writing this column each week, I write novels. I'm just finishing up a work of historical fiction set during the presidential election of 1968. When checking the news each morning, I feel as though I'm watching a reboot of that stormy year.

Let me explain.

A focal point for early protests against the Vietnam War was the campus of Columbia University in New York City. Protesters occupied Hamilton Hall there on April 30, 1968. Masked anti-Israel protesters smashed the windows of Hamilton Hall, barricaded themselves inside and raised the Palestinian flag exactly 56 years later, on April 30, 2024.

Antiwar demonstrations in 1968 culminated at August's Democratic National Convention in Chicago. In a violent confrontation broadcast by the major TV networks, police met protesters in "The Battle of Michigan Avenue."

Students and others who wanted to end the war in 1968 got the opposite of what they wished for. A majority of voters sympathized with the police and law and order against the scruffy, anti-Establishment demonstrators. In the November 1968 election, Democratic candidate Hubert Humphrey, who promised a ceasefire in Vietnam, was beaten in the election by Republican Richard Nixon, who claimed to speak for the silent majority. Over 20,000 members of the American armed forces lost their lives in Vietnam during the Nixon presidency.

The tactics of the pro-Palestinian Arab, anti-Israel protesters show similar signs of backfiring. The takeover of buildings by privileged college kids is no way to win the hearts and minds of the independent voters who will decide the presidency in November. The success of Nixon in 1968 was based on an appeal to the silent majority. The situation is not all that different today. In the 2020 presidential election, 73% of voters were white, and 60% did not graduate from college.

Khymani James, an undergraduate leader of the anti-Israel protests at Columbia, said on video, "Zionists don't deserve to live." While James has been banned from campus, Republican members of Congress are hammering away at universities for not doing enough to protect Jewish students. Campus protesters argue for divestment from Israel by university endowments. At the same time, Republican lawmakers are threatening to cut off federal aid to universities where antisemitism endangers Jewish students. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has put in his own two cents worth: "Students joining in hate-filled, antisemitic protests at any public college or university in Texas should be expelled."

By a twist of fate, this year's Democratic National Convention will be held in August in Chicago just like in 1968. Will there be televised protests again? No doubt. The Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, the Anti-War Committee, Students for a Democratic Society at the University of Illinois and others are laying the groundwork for marches. One anonymous Democratic senator has warned those going to the convention, "Wear your body armor."

Raucous protests tending toward antisemitism and violence at a party's national convention will only repel swing voters. At the same time, Biden's policy in the Middle East is not satisfying the pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel views of many in the younger cohort of his past supporters. College Democrats of America has issued this statement: "As representatives of youth across the country, we reserve the right to criticize our own party when it fails to represent youth voices."

Support for Israel over Hamas is lowest among 18- to 24-year-old Americans but is at 90% of those among those over 55, according to a recent poll. Another poll shows Biden's support has slipped since 2020 by 15% among voters aged 18-29. If those numbers persist, Biden's path to victory appears steep indeed.

The tactics of pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel demonstrators show every sign of pushing Trump toward victory this year just as the tactics of anti-war demonstrators pushed traditional Democratic voters toward Nixon in 1968.

What would a Trump return portend? Of course, he is no friend of Muslims. Remember his attempted Muslim bans?

And what about the Israel-Hamas war that rages on now? He has told Israel to "get it done. Get it over with and get it over with fast..." His administration would "fully support Israel defeating, dismantling, and permanently destroying the terrorist group Hamas." He's added that Hamas fighters "will burn forever in the eternal pit of hell." He would also bar Gaza residents from entering the country. Rep. Ryan Zenke, a former Trump cabinet member, has gone further by introducing legislation that would allow deportation of Palestinians passport holders already in the United States.

The tactics used by the protesters almost seem intended to ensure the defeat of President Biden even as he supports humanitarian aid and minimizing civilian deaths. Of course, he also supports Israel's right to defend itself.

In 1968, the activities of protesters brought their nemesis to the White House. In 2024, the same outcome looks conceivable if not probable.

See what I mean about a reboot?

A renaissance man, Keith Raffel has served as the senior counsel to the Senate Intelligence Committee, started a successful internet software company and written five novels, which you can check out at keithraffel.com. He currently spends the academic year as a resident scholar at Harvard. To find out more about Keith and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators website at creators.com.

DIST. BY CREATORS

Photo courtesy of Keith Raffel