Barack Obama recently addressed the lack of support for Vice President Kamala Harris among minority men, expressing disappointment in their response to her campaign.
Harris’s team is scrambling to boost enthusiasm among Black and Hispanic men, critical demographics in key swing states, with Obama among those struggling to understand the slump, as the Washington Examiner reports.
The VP faces a steep challenge in securing votes from Black and Hispanic men as she ramps up her campaign efforts in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, and Nevada. Her campaign, concerned with the slow traction among these key voter groups, has enlisted prominent figures, including Obama and former NBA star Magic Johnson, to help rally support.
At an event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Obama didn’t mince words when addressing Black men who are hesitant to support Harris. He expressed frustration, saying, “You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses, I’ve got a problem with that.” Obama’s remarks underscored his concern that some men are not ready to back a woman for president.
His comments carried a sharp tone, particularly when he suggested that Black men failing to support Harris were “putting women down.” He reminded the audience that women, especially black women, have been instrumental in supporting families and communities, and it’s time men step up for Harris.
Johnson also lent his voice to the effort, appearing at a campaign event in Flint, Michigan. His involvement highlights the campaign’s focus on using celebrity power to inspire voters, particularly in areas where Harris’s support is lagging.
Despite these high-profile appearances, Harris’s campaign is facing criticism for relying heavily on identity-based appeals rather than concrete policy achievements. Some argue that the strategy of enlisting celebrities and focusing on race and gender to appeal to black and Hispanic men may not be enough to sway them. Harris’s polling numbers among these groups remain below the levels seen by President Joe Biden in 2020, a worrying sign for the campaign as it looks to shore up support.
In particular, Harris’s team is concerned about her polling among black men in Pennsylvania and Michigan, as well as Hispanic men in Arizona and Nevada. The campaign is not only seeing lower enthusiasm compared to 2020 but is also facing a near even split between Harris and former President Donald Trump among Hispanic men, adding to the urgency of their outreach efforts. Obama’s involvement comes at a crucial time, as his influence among black voters remains strong. However, even his direct appeal has yet to make a noticeable shift in polling trends, indicating deeper issues at play with Harris’s appeal to minority men.
The lack of enthusiasm for Harris among black and Hispanic men is most pronounced in key battleground states. Similarly, Hispanic men in Arizona and Nevada are critical to securing Harris’s success in these states. The campaign is attempting to close this gap by highlighting Harris’s identity as a woman of color, but the effectiveness of this strategy is in question. Critics argue that Harris should focus more on policy achievements that resonate with these communities rather than relying on identity-based campaigning.
Harris’s team is keenly aware that winning over these voters could determine the outcome of the election, but their current approach has yet to yield significant results. The campaign continues to deploy celebrities like Johnson and influential figures like Obama in a bid to change the narrative.
The Democratic Party is clearly feeling the pressure as the 2024 election looms. There is growing criticism that the party’s outreach to Black and Hispanic men has been too focused on race and gender, rather than policy accomplishments or promises that could resonate more deeply with these voters.
Obama’s remarks highlighted this tension, with some interpreting his comments as an attempt to shame black men into supporting Harris. “Part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president,” he said, drawing attention to the underlying gender dynamics at play.
As Harris’s campaign continues to struggle in the polls, there is a sense of urgency to shift tactics and refocus on policy messages that might better connect with the voters she needs to win over. How the campaign adapts in the coming months could determine whether it can close the gap among these critical demographics.
