Former President Barack Obama delivered a forceful call to action in Pittsburgh on Thursday, urging Black men to actively support Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign and dismissing any notion of sitting out the 2024 election. His comments marked a direct challenge to a demographic that has shown signs of wavering support for Harris, with Obama emphasizing that it's "not acceptable" for them to abstain from voting.
During a surprise visit to a Harris campaign office, Obama addressed a small gathering, expressing frustration at the apparent lack of enthusiasm among Black men for Harris's candidacy. "You're thinking about sitting out or supporting somebody who has a history of denigrating you because you think that's a sign of strength, because that's what being a man is? Putting women down? That's not acceptable," Obama stated, his words reflecting a rare public admonishment of the very voters he once mobilized so effectively.
Obama's appeal comes as Harris faces a tough battle in the 2024 race, with polls indicating a tight contest between her and former President Donald Trump. While Harris has worked to reassemble the diverse coalition that propelled President Joe Biden to victory in 2020, the energy and turnout levels among Black men have notably diminished, a point Obama did not shy away from addressing. "It seems to be more pronounced with the brothers," he said, referring to the lack of engagement he has observed.
The former president's message was not just about rallying votes but also a critique of what he perceives as ingrained sexism within the electorate. "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 reasons for that," he said, speaking directly to men in the room. His remarks underscored the belief that Harris's gender remains a stumbling block for some voters despite her qualifications and experience.
Obama's blunt delivery continued later that evening during a rally in Pittsburgh, where he ramped up his criticism of Trump, painting a stark contrast between the former president's divisive rhetoric and Harris's track record. "If you had a family member who acted like Trump, you might still love them, but you'd tell them, 'You got a problem,' and you wouldn't put him in charge of anything," Obama said, striking a tone of disbelief that Trump's behavior could still attract support.
The tone of Obama's speech was one of urgency, reflecting the high stakes of the upcoming election. He challenged voters to not be swayed by Trump's claims of being an outsider ready to shake up the system. "I get it why people are looking to shake things up. I mean, I am the 'hopey-changey' guy. I understand people feeling frustrated and feeling we can do better," Obama admitted. "What I cannot understand is why anybody would think that Donald Trump will shake things up in a way that is good for you."
In a strategic move to boost engagement among Black voters, Harris is set to participate in a town hall with Charlamagne tha God, a popular radio host, in Detroit next week. This event, broadcast on "The Breakfast Club" and other major platforms, aims to reach millions of listeners, particularly those in battleground states. The campaign's focus on direct outreach mirrors Obama's message from the Pittsburgh rally, emphasizing that every vote counts in the tight race ahead.
Obama also addressed what he sees as misinformation and divisive tactics used by Trump to manipulate voter sentiment. He criticized Trump's false claims about storm relief and economic policies, reminding voters that the strong economy Trump inherited was a result of his administration's efforts. "Yeah, it was pretty good when Trump took office in 2017 - because it was my economy," Obama said. "He didn't do anything except those big tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations."
The former president's fiery rhetoric extended to challenging Trump's stance on immigration and trade. He dismissed Trump's tariffs as a disguised "sales tax" on American consumers and accused the former president of scapegoating immigrants instead of presenting real solutions to economic issues. "If you challenge Trump to elaborate and enumerate his 'concepts,' he will fall back on one answer: blame immigrants," Obama declared, underscoring the lack of substantive policy proposals from his successor.
Throughout his remarks, Obama's focus remained on urging voter participation. He called on supporters to reject apathy and cynicism, urging them to take tangible action at the polls. "Whether this election is making you feel excited or scared, or hopeful or frustrated, or anything in between, do not just sit back and hope for the best. Get off your couch and vote. Put down your phone and vote," he implored, wrapping his message with a straightforward appeal: "Vote for Kamala Harris."
