Barack Obama Campaigns for Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania, Urges Support from Black Men

Barack Obama, the former President of the United States, took to the campaign trail in Pennsylvania recently to garner support for Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee. The rally, held in Pittsburgh, also included discussions aimed specifically at Black voters, with Obama imploring Black men to support the vice-president. This comes amid reports that some Black male voters have reservations about supporting Harris.

During an event at one of Harris’s campaign offices, Obama addressed Black men, questioning their hesitance to vote for the Democratic ticket. A September survey by the NAACP found that over a quarter of Black men under the age of 50 expressed supporting Harris. “We have not yet seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all quarters of our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running,” Obama remarked. “Now, I also want to say that seems to be more pronounced with the brothers,” he added.

Obama emphasized the necessity of supporting Harris, suggesting that undue reservations could stem from biases against a female president. “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 highlighted the activism of Black women in social justice movements, saying, “When we get in trouble and the system isn’t working for us, they’re the ones out there marching and protesting.”

The former president’s remarks were made to bolster Harris’s candidacy in the swing state of Pennsylvania, which holds 19 electoral college votes critical to win the election. Recent polls indicate a close race between Harris and former President Donald Trump. Obama lauded Harris for her commitment to problem-solving, asserting, “We need a president who actually cares about solving problems and making your life better, and that’s what Kamala Harris will do.” He also urged voters to support other Democratic candidates such as Senator Bob Casey.

Obama criticized the Republican opposition, particularly Trump, whom he described as mendacious and self-centered. “I’m sorry, gentlemen, I’ve noticed this, especially with some men who think Trump’s behavior of bullying and putting people down is a sign of strength,” Obama said at the rally. “Real strength is about helping people need it and standing up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves, that is what we should want for our daughters and for our sons.”

The rally saw the participation of key Democratic figures, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who promoted the party’s accomplishments in the state, such as expanding universal free breakfast and efforts on gun violence prevention. Senator Bob Casey, up for re-election, also spoke, addressing the stakes of the forthcoming election and his campaign against David McCormick, a businessman linked to hedge funds managing Russian debt.

This event is part of a broader Democratic effort to shore up support for Harris across battleground states. Campaign surrogates such as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, former President Bill Clinton, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders are scheduled to campaign in various parts of the country. Simultaneously, Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance held a town hall in North Carolina.