Former President Obama delivered a stern appeal to Black voters while campaigning for Vice President Harris in Pennsylvania on Thursday amid signs her support among the demographic may be softening.
“We have not yet seen the same kind of energy and turnout in all corners of our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running,” Obama said, referencing “reports I’m getting from campaigns and communities.”
“Now, I also want to say that that seems to be more pronounced with the brothers,” he said.
Obama said the choice between Harris and her opponent former President Trump “isn’t a close call” and described Harris as “somebody who grew up like you, knows you, went to college with you, understands the struggles and pain and joy that comes from those experiences.”
“You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses,” he said, adding Black male voters. “I’ve got a problem with that.”
“Part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that,” he continued.
The former president went on to say, “Women in our lives have been getting our backs this entire time.
“When we get in trouble and the system isn’t working for us, they’re the ones out there marching and protesting,” he added.
Obama made the comments at a campaign field office before the rally he held for Harris in Pittsburgh on Thursday evening.
At his Pittsburgh rally, Obama sought to appeal to a broader group of male voters.
“I’ve noticed that some men seem to think that Trump’s behavior of bullying and putting people down is a sign of strength,” Obama said. “And I am here to tell you that is not what real strength is.”
While it’s unlikely that Trump would win the Black male vote outright, some Democrats have expressed concern that lack of enthusiasm for the Harris campaign among the demographic could negatively impact Harris.
Recent polling suggests that Harris generally has strong support among Black men and women. According to a recent AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, seven in ten Black voters have a somewhat or very favorable view of Harris. However, for roughly half of Black voters the phrase “would change the country for the better” describes Harris “extremely” or “very well.”
