Barack Obama has jumped back into the political spotlight, this time making an impassioned plea for Black men to back Vice President Kamala Harris. During a stop at a Harris campaign field office in Pittsburgh, Obama addressed what he sees as a troubling trend: Black men are not supporting Harris in the numbers that Democrats need. Polls show a sharp drop in support among Black men compared to the enthusiasm Obama himself garnered during his 2008 and 2012 campaigns.
The former president did not mince words, accusing Black men of making “excuses” for not rallying behind Harris, even suggesting that sexism might be playing a role in their reluctance. "You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses, and part of it makes me think you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president," Obama remarked during his visit.
My name is CJ Pearson. I’m 22 years old. And in 25 days, I’ll be joining millions of other young black men and voting for Donald J. Trump!
And we don’t give a damn about what Barack Obama has to say about it. pic.twitter.com/tKzupKL0N1
— CJ Pearson (@thecjpearson) October 11, 2024
The remarks come at a critical time, with Harris’s campaign struggling to mobilize key demographics. While Harris still leads with Black voters overall, a recent NAACP poll showed her support among Black men under 50 at a mere 49%, with a surprising 26% indicating they would vote for Donald Trump. This has alarmed Democratic strategists, who are concerned about a broader erosion of support from other crucial voting blocs like Hispanics, Muslims, and young people.
Obama's comments seemed to reflect frustration, not only with Harris's slipping numbers but with what he views as a broader hesitation among Black men to embrace a female candidate. He invoked the unique struggles of Black Americans, telling his audience that Harris, being both Black and a woman, understands these challenges intimately.
“BREAKING: Proof Kamala Harris is not in charge; the person in charge is writing the speech (Obama).
-Univision broadcasted proof that Kamala used a teleprompter at her town hall.
The cameraman is voting for Trump — what a legend! 🔥” pic.twitter.com/nBzuiZRJs7
— 1776 (@TheWakeninq) October 11, 2024
But not everyone appreciated Obama's direct approach. Some observers, including figures like Tariq Nasheed, took to social media to criticize the former president for what they saw as an out-of-touch and condescending tone. “The DNC has sent out Barack Obama to scold Black men and try to shame us into supporting his fellow NON-Foundational Black American candidate Kamala Harris,” Nasheed wrote, alluding to Harris's mixed Black and Indian heritage.
There’s a growing sentiment that this strategy might backfire. Critics argue that Obama’s attempt to guilt Black men into supporting Harris could alienate more voters, particularly those who have lingering concerns about her record as a prosecutor in California. Reggie Jones, a Pittsburgh resident selling Harris merchandise at the rally, bluntly pointed out that Harris's tough-on-crime stance led to the incarceration of many Black men, a fact that has not been forgotten by many in the community.
Adding to the unease is the broader issue of Harris's declining performance among other traditionally Democratic groups. Despite being the first Black and Asian American woman on a major party ticket, Harris has faced growing dissatisfaction from several key constituencies. In a desperate bid to win back younger voters, Harris recently appeared on the popular podcast Call Her Daddy and engaged in targeted outreach to Hispanic voters on Univision. Yet, these efforts appear to have yielded mixed results, with some questioning her authenticity and others viewing her moves as last-ditch efforts to regain momentum.
Obama's campaign trail appearance underscores the deepening concerns within the Democratic Party. His tone, as noted by multiple commentators, highlighted the stakes for the 2024 election. With Donald Trump making gains among minority voters, particularly Black men, Democrats are facing a tough fight to hold onto constituencies that were once considered reliably blue.
