Former President Barack Obama took to the campaign trail on Thursday, delivering an urgent message to Black male voters during his rally for Vice President Kamala Harris at the University of Pittsburgh. With the election just weeks away, Obama urged the crowd to overcome any hesitations and support Harris, reminding them of the stakes involved against her rival, former President Donald Trump.
Obama contrasted his historic presidency with the challenges Harris faces today, particularly pointing out the lower enthusiasm among black men compared to the strong turnout he had enjoyed during his campaigns. "I wanted to come to Pittsburgh to speak some truths and to encourage my brothers," he said, acknowledging the criticism he heard about Harris's candidacy. "It makes me think, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and reasons for it." This statement was met with nods and attention from his audience, as he tackled the discomfort some men have about electing Harris as president.
At the same time, Obama did not hold back on his criticism of Trump, labeling him as "a bumbling billionaire" who has not only disparaged women but also failed to connect with the everyday struggles of ordinary Americans. "Putting women down is not strength. That’s not acceptable," Obama emphasized, appealing to men to reconsider their support for candidates who have shown disregard for women.
His visit to the pivotal battleground state of Pennsylvania was strategically timed, as voting had already begun. Obama’s high-profile support for Harris aims to bolster interest from the Black community, which has historically been integral to Democratic victories. Recent polls indicated troubling trends, with over one-quarter of Black men under 50 expressing their willingness to vote for Trump, worrying figures for any Democratic campaign.
Obama's rhetoric hinted at the frustration he felt with the apparent disenchantment some Black voters, especially men, have toward Harris. He told the crowd, "Real strength is about taking responsibility for your actions and telling the truth even when it’s inconvenient," invoking the kind of leadership he believes Harris embodies, contrasting it with Trump's divisiveness.
The former president also looked back on his own experiences, contrasting them with Trump’s privileged background. He highlighted moments from his life, including the struggles of parenthood like changing diapers, which he argued, Trump could never relate to. "I don’t understand why anyone believes Trump can change things for the good of the people," he quipped. Obama’s appearance drew significant attention, with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd as they rallied behind Harris's candidacy.
Harris herself has made significant history as the country's first female Vice President who is also Black and of South Asian descent, and she aims to replicate her impact should she become the first woman president. Her campaign is leveraging the relationship she has built with Obama over the years, as she was one of his earliest supporters, campaigning for him when he was Senator Obama back in 2008.
Obama's support was pivotal, especially since over 90% of Democrats still view him favorably. His presence at events like this one can mobilize voter turnout, particularly among the demographic of Black men who have been demonstrating mixed feelings toward Harris. According to recent polls, only about 7 out of 10 Black voters viewed Harris favorably, which presents challenges for her campaign.
While the turnout rates have been strong among younger voters, the variance among Black men raises alarms. Obama wants to energize these groups, encouraging them to see the importance of being represented and making their voices heard at the ballot box. During his speech, he refocused the narrative, saying, "On one side, you have someone who understands you. On the other, you have someone who shows disdain for you. The choice is clear. Get out there and vote for Kamala Harris. Her success is conditioned on your engagement."
Simultaneously, Trump's campaign has been eyeing these demographics, claiming they can make significant inroads among Black voters based on messaging about economic recovery and traditional values. Tracing back to his previous comments denigrated by many, Obama asked voters to reflect on Trump’s actions when it came to leadership and empathy for their communities. His sentiment was echoed by supporters like Glenda Ellison, who expressed optimism about how Obama could galvanize awkwardly perched voters during this tense election season.
The path to victory for Harris will unavoidably hinge on voter actions coming within the next few weeks, especially focusing on high-turnout areas like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, which are known for their considerable Black populations and history of voting blue. Obama’s flight through battleground states reflects his dedication to aiding the Harris campaign, reenergizing supporters with his age-old rallying cry rephrased to fit the current struggle: “Yes, She Can.”
Harris remains somewhat on the defensive as the Trump campaign regularly mocks her and stokes division over the Trump versus Harris narrative. The days leading to the election won't drown out Obama's potent messages, which could still swing undecided voters her way. No doubts linger about the influence of Obama's presence, as he embarks on this necessary tour aimed at consolidative support among Black men and ensuring the rejuvenation of the Democratic base against the looming shadow of Trump. The question now remains: Will the sentiment rally them to the polls as they did for Obama’s presidency?
