Barack Obama made an appeal to Black Americans during a campaign stop in Pittsburgh on Thursday, urging them to show the same level of support for Kamala Harris as they did for him in his 2008 and 2012 elections.
Obama’s remarks came as he joined Pennsylvania Senator Robert P. Casey Jr. at a campaign event as part of Harris’s push ahead of the November election.
Speaking at a campaign office before heading to a rally, Obama addressed what he saw as a lack of enthusiasm for Harris, particularly among African Americans, compared to his own presidential runs.
Patriotic beachwear for freedom lovers! Shop now and get 10% off with code RB10. Vet & LEO-founded.
“We have not yet seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all corners of our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running,” Obama said.
He specifically called out Black men for their reluctance, saying, “That seems to be more pronounced with the brothers. So if you don’t mind—just for a second, I’ve got to speak to y’all.”
Obama highlighted Harris’s background, saying she shares the experiences of many in the Black community, having gone to college and understanding the struggles, pains, and joys that come with it.
He contrasted this with former President Donald Trump, whom he said has shown “disregard, not just for the communities, but for you as a person.”
He challenged voters who were hesitant about supporting Harris, asking, “And you are thinking about sitting out?”
Obama suggested that some voters, particularly men, might be uncomfortable with the idea of a female president, and he urged them not to let that stop them from supporting Harris.
Barack Obama SOUNDS THE ALARM, says energy is down with black men:
“That seems to be more pronounced with the brothers…”
He then says black men should vote for Kamala because she knows the “struggles” of being black.
Pure identity politics from Obama. pic.twitter.com/LvlSUVZKBx
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 11, 2024
Reacting to Obama’s comments, Fox News host Jesse Watters said Obama’s remarks indicated that Harris’s campaign had “plateaued” in terms of popularity. Watters shared a clip of Obama’s Pittsburgh speech on his program Jesse Watters Primetime.
Have no fear, @BarackObama is here…. to mansplain @KamalaHarris to the country. Obama thinks Kamala’s “plateaued” and behind the scenes, he’s saying Kamala’s losing the black vote. After Harris couldn’t hit a single pitch in any of her softball interviews, the Obamas and the… pic.twitter.com/pCwkH8rmPV
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) October 11, 2024
Other conservative voices were quick to react on social media.
Former DeKalb County, Georgia Executive Vernon Jones, who switched to the Republican Party in 2021, criticized Obama, accusing him of being dispatched by “White liberals” to persuade Black voters to support Harris. Jones wrote on X, “No thanks, BO—Blacks had enough of you and Kamala Harris.”
BREAKING NEWS: @BarackObama sent out by White liberals to “Blackman-splain” to get Black men to vote for @KamalaHarris. Wait, his mother and Kamala’s mother are both “WHITE.”
Obama doesn’t even have Black neighbors, and 99% of his handlers are White.
I don’t have anything in… pic.twitter.com/0cb5WEr0hs
— Vernon Jones (@VernonForGA) October 11, 2024
Conservative commentator Benny Arthur Johnson also criticized Obama’s remarks, calling them “sickening” and accusing the former president of engaging in divisive racial politics.
Kush Desai, a spokesman for Pennsylvania Team Trump, responded to Obama’s visit, saying that Democrats must be struggling if they are relying on Obama to rally support.
Desai also took a swipe at the former president, saying, “While it’ll probably be a slightly less unhinged affair than what other Kamala surrogates are doing, an Obama visit isn’t going to convince Pennsylvanians to vote for another four years of open borders, rising prices, and disaster at home and abroad.”
Obama is expected to continue campaigning for Harris in the coming days, with his next stop planned for Pennsylvania on Thursday, where he will join Kamala in an attempt to rally voters ahead of the November election.
.
