The Woman Who Couldn’t Speak at the Democratic Convention Speaks about The Election

I’ve often wondered in recent weeks how Ruwa Romman, a Democratic State Representative in the crucial battleground state of Georgia, feels as this election draws to a close. She knows as well as anyone the profound danger of a Trump presidency. But she has also seen more closely than almost anyone the failure of Kamala Harris’ campaign to fully recognize the humanity of Palestinians. She was supposed to speak at the Democratic Convention—but ultimately, was told no.

Just four days before election day, I’m honored that she’s agreed to speak to me, along with Palestinian-American Democratic Strategist Rania Batrice, who assisted the Uncommitted Campaign.

This Zoom conversation is for Beinart Notebook Paid Subscribers only.

It will be on Friday, November 1, at 1 PM Eastern. Paid subscribers will also get the video that same day.

Please join us.

Thanks,

Peter

Transcript

Hi. One of the things that I've really wondered about so much over the last couple of weeks is how does Ruwa Romman feel right now? You may remember that Ruwa Romman was the state representative from Georgia who should have been allowed to speak at the Democratic National Convention of Palestinian American, who was denied that possibility in which I think was one of the grave political and moral failures of Kamala Harris's campaign.

Now she's in Georgia, an absolutely vital state, just a few days before the election. What is she thinking about how badly this will hurt the Harris campaign, whether Harris can still win. Can she muster the enthusiasm to go out and really try to get people to support Harris

Given that grave, grave danger of a Trump presidency, or is that too difficult for her in this moment? I'm really honored that she has agreed to speak with me.

On Friday at 1 p.m. Eastern, along with another terrific Democratic political thinker, Rania Batrice, also a Palestinian-American, a political strategist who was very involved with the uncommitted campaign.

We're going to talk about what they think is going to happen in the election and how they personally have wrestled with what role they want to play, in an election where so much is at stake and where the dangers of a Trump presidency are so great, but where the emotional and moral barriers to full-throatedly supporting Kamala Harris, especially if you're Palestinian, are so great as well. So I hope many of you will join us Friday at 1 p.m. for paid subscribers to the Beinart Notebook.