In a speech that seemed intended to rally Black male voters, former President Barack Obama instead stirred a significant backlash. Speaking in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 10, 2024, Obama suggested that Black men lacked enthusiasm for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign, a message that struck many as condescending.
“My understanding, based on reports I’m getting from campaigns and communities, is that 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, adding that this lack of support is “more pronounced with the brothers.”
Obama also suggested that sexism could be a factor, implying that some Black men might feel uneasy about the idea of a woman as president. He expressed his belief that some voters might be uncomfortable with the prospect and might be finding other reasons to justify their hesitation. This remark, viewed by some as dismissive, faced criticism for assuming that resistance to Harris stems from gender bias rather than differences in policy or other valid concerns.
Obama’s comments drew swift criticism from figures like former Ohio state senator Nina Turner, who took issue with his “lecturing” tone. She argued that Black men were being singled out in ways other groups were not, saying, “Why are Black men being lectured to? Why are Black men being belittled in ways that no other voting group?”
Turner highlighted that Black men often have their reasons for voting differently and emphasized the need to respect those choices, even if they may not align with the broader Democratic agenda.
Turner, who co-chaired Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, argued that Obama should refrain from specifically targeting Black men unless he intended to address men of all backgrounds. She suggested that Democrats should aim to engage all voters collectively, rather than placing blame on one group, especially given that Black men’s voting patterns do not significantly differ from those of Black women.
Following Obama’s speech, many Black men voiced their support for Trump on social media. One user on X stated his intention to vote for Trump, while conservative activist CJ Pearson declared his resolve to cast his ballot for Trump despite Obama’s stance.
Conservative commentator Benny Johnson also criticized Obama’s remarks, accusing him of promoting divisive identity politics. Johnson lamented Obama’s departure from his previous message of unity, describing it as hypocritical and calling on progressives to reject such approaches, which he labeled as regressive. He further commented that if a Republican candidate used similar rhetoric, he would readily denounce them.
The sentiment among some is that Obama’s words could backfire, potentially pushing undecided Black male voters further from the Democratic ticket. As the 2024 election looms, Obama’s comments have left many questioning if this strategy will galvanize support or deepen the divide.