Addressing a lively crowd of several hundred voters gathered in a North Philadelphia high school auditorium, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris officially kicked off their campaign’s Black voter outreach initiative on Wednesday. Recent polls indicate a decline in support from the crucial constituency that played a significant role in propelling them to the White House in 2020.
During their speeches at Girard College, an independent K-12 boarding school that serves predominantly low-income Black students, the White House duo were accompanied by various prominent Black Democrats, such as Lt. Gov. Austin Davis of Pennsylvania, Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland, and Mayor Cherelle Parker of Philadelphia. Representatives from Black voter organizations like Black Men Vote and the NAACP were also present.
Both President Biden and Vice President Harris emphasized the vital role Black voters play in their campaign, both in the previous election and for the upcoming one.
President Biden stated, “Because Black America showed up to vote, Kamala and I are in our current positions. Your votes defeated Donald Trump, a former president. And with your continued support in 2024, we will defeat him again.”
In a fiery speech, the president intensified his criticism of his predecessor, attributing the January 6 insurrection to Trump’s false victory claims and suggesting that Trump remains a threat to the nation.
Following his remarks, President Biden made a stop at South Restaurant & Jazz Club, a local Black-owned small business, to meet with supporters. Furthermore, his reelection campaign plans to organize voter registration and engagement events tailored towards Black voters in key battleground states across the nation.
Jasmine Harris, the director of Black media for the Biden-Harris campaign, mentioned, “We will continue to build on the progress we’ve made, ensuring that voters understand there is only one candidate in this election who truly cares about them and has delivered tangible progress for our community.”
President Biden’s strong support from Black Americans was instrumental in winning the 2020 Democratic nomination. Despite performing poorly in early primaries, he secured a solid victory in the South Carolina primary with significant support from Black voters.
However, recent polling data indicates a dip in support among Black voters, with only 74% expressing a likelihood to vote for President Biden compared to 87% in the previous election. In battleground states like Pennsylvania, where President Biden narrowly won in 2020, new polls show Trump leading by three points.
The Biden campaign remains unfazed by these poll results, with plans to continue engaging Black voters through partnerships with various organizations in pivotal swing states.
Supporters in the audience on Wednesday expressed enthusiasm for President Biden, citing his accomplishments and dedication to the country. Amidst positive sentiments, there were also calls for ongoing conversations about the importance of voting.
Meanwhile, Trump has been actively trying to sway Black voters by highlighting issues like crime and inflation, contrasting his approach with what he perceives as Biden’s ineffective tactics.
Ultimately, both campaigns are ramping up their efforts to secure the support of minority communities, especially Black voters, as the 2024 election approaches.
