Obama urges men to drop 'excuses' and support Kamala Harris over Trump | US elections 2024

Barack Obama made his first campaign appearance for Kamala Harris on Thursday, speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania and an event for black voters, urging men in particular to support the vice president.

In comments aimed specifically at black men in the swing state during an event at one of Harris' campaign offices, Obama questioned their unwillingness to vote for her – an NAACP poll in September found that over a quarter of black men Men under 50 say they will vote for Donald Trump.

“We have not yet seen the same energy and turnout in all areas of our neighborhoods and communities as we did when I was a candidate. Now I would also like to say that this seems to be more pronounced among the brothers,” Obama said.

“They come up with all sorts of reasons and excuses. I have a problem with that.

“Part of it makes me think that you just don't feel comfortable having a woman as president and that you're coming up with other alternatives and reasons for it.”

He added: “When we get in trouble and the system isn't working for us, they're the ones out there marching and protesting.”

Later that evening at Pittsburgh's Fitzgerald Field House, where thousands appeared to be in attendance, the Democratic Party chairman called on residents of the crucial swing state to vote for Harris – and to reject other Democratic candidates such as Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey .

“We need a president who actually cares about solving problems and improving your lives, and Kamala Harris will do that,” Obama said. “And to help her do that, she needs a Senate full of serious officials like Bob Casey.”

With 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania is crucial for either candidate to win the election. Recent polls released by Quinnipac University showed Harris leading in Pennsylvania, but polls between the vice president and Donald Trump have been close.

The state can also determine control of the Senate: Casey, for example, is up for re-election and faces a well-funded Republican opponent.

Obama and Harris have long supported each other's campaigns, and at the Democratic National Convention in August, the former president and his wife sought to name Harris as the heir to their movement. Harris was an early supporter of Obama's sweeping push against Hilary Clinton, starting in 2007 when she campaigned for him ahead of the Iowa caucuses. When Harris ran for California attorney general in 2010, Obama supported her campaign, calling her “a dear, dear friend of mine.”

In Pittsburgh on Thursday, Obama acknowledged American voters' frustration with inflation, the Covid-19 recovery and other issues – while simultaneously denouncing Trump and praising Harris' platform.

“This election is going to be close because there are still a lot of Americans out there who are having a hard time,” Obama said. “I understand why people are trying to shake things up. I mean, I'm the hopeful, change-loving type. So I understand that people are frustrated. We can do better. What I can't understand is why anyone would think that Donald Trump will change things in a way that is good for you.

“The good news is, Kamala Harris – she has no concept of a plan. She has a concrete plan to make your life better.”

Recalling the message he shared with black voters earlier in the day, Obama later added: “I'm sorry, gentlemen, I've noticed, particularly among some men, Trump's behavior of bullying and belittling people , apparently believe to be wrong.” a sign of strength. And I'm here to tell you: That's not true strength. That has never been the case.

“True strength comes from helping people 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, and that's what I want to see as president of the United States of America.”

Before the former president took the stage, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was among those nominated to support Harris' candidacy, praised the Democratic Party's work in the state to expand universal free breakfast and efforts to prevent gun violence , while also criticizing the leadership of the Republican Party at the national level. He strongly encouraged attendees to vote for Casey's re-election.

Casey himself spoke, laying out the stakes for the upcoming election and condemning his rival David McCormick. McCormick, a businessman, ran the world's largest hedge fund while also managing and advising funds that held hundreds of millions of dollars in Russian debt, according to documents obtained by the Guardian.

“These out-of-state billionaires are spending over $100 million to defeat me in this race. Well, I have news for these billionaires. I’m going to beat David McCormick and those billionaires,” Casey said.

Obama's appearance comes as Democratic surrogates in swing states across the country are campaigning for Harris. This week, the Harris campaign confirmed 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 host events in Michigan. Meanwhile, former first lady Michelle Obama has relaunched “Party at the Polls,” a program of her bipartisan voting initiative “When We All Vote.”

At the same time, Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance held a town hall meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Thursday evening, shortly after Trump spoke in Detroit.