Former President Obama did something on Thursday night that many Democrats had longed for.
He said the quiet parts out loud.
For days, Democrats have been concerned about a lack of enthusiasm among some in their base.
So when President Obama made an unannounced stop at his field office in Pittsburgh while campaigning, he used the opportunity to call for action, especially among black men, with television cameras rolling.
“You come up with all kinds of reasons and excuses, and that's problematic,” he said. “Because part of it makes me think – and I'm speaking directly to men – part of it makes me think, well, the idea that you just make a woman president. Even though you're not feeling it, you come up with other alternatives and other reasons.
President Obama's clarion call to his party breathed life into the tension Democrats have felt in recent days.
If the party cannot find a way to close the gender gap with former President Trump among men and persuade men of color to run in droves for Vice President Harris, Trump will win reelection. , will likely extend his term for another four years. .
In his remarks Thursday, President Obama offered a warning to his party while seeking to start the difficult conversations that could turn some of those numbers around.
President Obama's comments reflected the current state of the election, with Harris in a dead heat with Trump in every battleground state.
Democrats were on a high after President Biden withdrew from the race in July, but in recent days they have begun to worry that Harris is no longer where she should be with some of her base.
The vice president far outperforms Trump when it comes to women, but lags when it comes to Latino men and black men, two voting blocs that were key to Mr. Obama's interracial coalition. Biden and Hillary Clinton outperformed Harris in these groups in 2020 and 2016, respectively, according to recent polls.
“He's in a unique position to have tough conversations with a lot of voters,” said Steve Scheer, a Democratic strategist who led President Obama's Florida campaign in 2008. “It starts with admitting there is a problem. We currently have a gender gap, it's between men, and it's not working in our favor.”
And Democrats argue that the former president is one of the few people in the party who can fill that role.
“My side believes in meeting voters where they're supposed to be. What I've always appreciated about his skill set is that he can meet voters where they are,” Cher said. he said.
Scheer said Obama recognized that the gender gap could cost Harris the election and used thoughtful and provocative language to make news and spread information. . He said Obama has “raised a lot of political money from a lot of voters, especially African-American voters, and he spent some of that money last night. I think that's important.” Ta.
President Obama sought to draw a clear distinction between the two candidates in his remarks.
“On the other hand, there are people who grew up like you, who knew you, who went to college with you, who understand the struggle and the pain and the joy that comes with that experience,” Obama said of Harris. he said before embarking on a list of policies.
Trump continued, “He has consistently shown a disregard not just for your community, but for you as a person… So are you considering leaving your seat?”
At a packed rally at the University of Pittsburgh on Thursday, President Obama also sought to speak directly to the men, many of whom supported his candidacy but who opposed Trump in the 2016 and 2020 campaigns. moved to
“I'm sorry, gentlemen. I've noticed this, especially with some men who think President Trump's actions, his bullying, his degrading of people are a sign of strength,” Obama said. . “What I came here to say is that true strength is not and never has been.”
The campaign announced Friday that Obama plans to visit key states such as Arizona and Nevada next week.
The former president will also make appearances in Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia and North Carolina later this month before returning to Pennsylvania, according to a source familiar with his travels.
In recent days, Harris has appeared on Howard Stern's radio show and on a podcast hosted by two former NBA players, trying to find a relationship with a man. She also highlighted her background in law enforcement and openly talked about owning a Glock handgun and shooting at a range.
Her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, is also participating in a men-only blitz to attract men to the Democratic field.
On Friday, the Harris campaign announced that the vice president would participate in a Detroit town hall hosted by Charlamagne the God, a popular radio show among black millennials.
Democrats, meanwhile, argue that Obama is the best agent to help change relations with black men in an election they believe they can win.
Joel Payne, a Democratic strategist who served as head of African-American paid media for Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, said: “Obama is 100% name certified and is gaining ground with black male voters.'' It has been historically highly trusted.” “His words will strengthen the efforts the campaign is making to educate these voters.”
Democratic strategist Eddie Baer said President Obama took the first step.
“You can't address or fix something unless you talk about it,” Vail said. “Will it change everyone's mind 100 percent? No. But in this close election, everything matters. So even if it only changes a few people's minds, it's worth it.”
