Barack Obama made his first appearance on Kamala Harris' campaign trail Thursday, speaking at a rally and event for black voters in Pennsylvania, appealing to men in particular to support the vice president.
During an event at one of Harris' campaign offices, Obama questioned their unwillingness to vote for her, in comments directed specifically at black men in battleground states. . A September NAACP poll showed more than a quarter of black men under 50 said they would vote for Donald Trump.
“I still haven't seen the same kind of energy and turnout that I saw when I was running in all aspects of my neighborhood and my community. Now, I also think it's more true when it comes to brothers and sisters. I would also say that it seems to be significant,” Obama said.
“You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses, and there’s a problem with that.
“I think part of it is that you just don't feel the idea of having a woman as president, and you're coming up with other alternatives and reasons for that.”
He added: “When we're in trouble and the system isn't working, they're the ones who march and protest.”
Later in the evening, at Pittsburgh's Fitzgerald Fieldhouse, where thousands were likely in attendance, Democratic leaders appealed to residents of key battleground states to vote for Harris and to vote for other Democrats, such as Pennsylvania Sen. Bob. He urged candidates to vote against him. Casey.
“We need a president who is genuinely interested in solving problems and making people's lives better, and that's what Kamala Harris will do,” Obama said. “And it would take a Senate full of serious public servants like Bob Casey to support her in that.”
With 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania is critical to either candidate winning the election. A recent study published by quinipac university Harris leads in Pennsylvania, but polls between the vice president and Donald Trump show a close margin.
States could also determine control of the Senate. Mr. Casey, for example, is up for re-election and is facing a well-funded Republican opponent.
Mr. Obama and Ms. Harris have long supported each other's campaigns, and at the Democratic National Convention in August, the former president and his wife tried to install Ms. Harris as their successor. Harris began visiting Obama in 2007 ahead of the Iowa caucuses and was an early supporter of Obama's long-term goals for Hillary Clinton. When Harris ran for California attorney general in 2010, Obama supported her campaign, calling her “my dear friend.”
In Pittsburgh on Thursday, President Obama acknowledged American voters' dissatisfaction with inflation, the recovery from the coronavirus and other issues, even as he criticized Trump and praised Harris' platform.
“This election will be close because there are many Americans who are still struggling,” Obama said. “I understand why people want to shake things up. I mean, I'm a guy who wants hope and change. So I understand why people are frustrated. We can do better. What I don't understand is why anyone would think Donald Trump would shake things up for the better for you guys.
“The good news is Kamala Harris. She has no concept of a plan. She has an actual plan to make your life better.”
Reflecting on a message he shared with Black voters earlier in the day, President Obama said, “I'm sorry to all of you, especially some men who think President Trump's actions to bully and degrade people are unjust.'' “I realized this right away,” he added. A symbol of strength. And what I'm trying to say here is that true strength isn't like that. That never happened.
“True strength is helping those who need it and standing up for those who can't always stand up for themselves. That's what we should want for our daughters and sons. That's what I want to see in the President of the United States of America. “
Before the former president took the stage, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who had been shortlisted as Harris' running mate, was a Democrat who said he would expand free breakfast and gun violence prevention efforts in the state. While touting its efforts, he criticized Republican leadership. national level. He specifically encouraged attendees to vote to re-elect Casey.
Casey himself gave a speech, explaining the stakes for the upcoming election and criticizing his rival David McCormick. In addition to running the world's largest hedge fund, businessman McCormick also managed and advised on a fund holding hundreds of millions of dollars in Russian government bonds, documents obtained by the Guardian revealed.
“These out-of-state billionaires [are] You spent over $100 million trying to beat me in this race. Well, we have news for those billionaires. I'm going to beat David McCormick and I'm going to beat those billionaires,'' Casey said.
Obama's appearance comes as Democratic surrogates campaign for Harris in battleground states across the country. This week, the Harris campaign announced that Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz will campaign in Wisconsin, former President Bill Clinton will tour the southern states of Georgia and North Carolina, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will campaign in Michigan. It has been confirmed that the state will host the event. Meanwhile, former first lady Michelle Obama has relaunched “Party at the Polls,” a program of the bipartisan voting initiative “When We All Vote.”
At the same time, Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance held a town hall in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Thursday night, shortly after President Trump spoke in Detroit.
