Obama admits Harris campaign doesnt have energy of his WH run claims black men opposed to her arent feeling the idea of having a woman as president
PITTSBURGH – Former President Barack Obama suggested Thursday that black men are opposed to Vice President Kamala Harris simply because she is a woman while dissing the Democratic nominee for not producing “the same kinds of energy” as his campaign. “We have yet to see the same kinds of energy and turnout in all corners of our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running,” Obama, 63, said at a “Black Voters for Harris” event in Pittsburgh, ahead of a rally for Harris. “I also want to say that that seems to be more pronounced with the brothers,” he added, referring to black men. “[Y]ou’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses,” the former president said of the lack of enthusiasm for Harris’ candidacy from some black men.“I’ve got a problem with that.“Part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that,” Obama claimed. Polling indicates a higher percentage of black Americans are planning to vote for former President Donald Trump, 78, in 2024 than did in 2020 – with 1 in 4 black men under 50 backing the 45th president, according to an NAACP survey from last month. Obama argued that it is “not acceptable” for black men to support Trump. “And now, you’re thinking about sitting out or supporting somebody who has a history of denigrating you, because you think that’s a sign of strength, because that’s what being a man is? Putting women down? That’s not acceptable,” he said. At the rally — the first of a series of swing-state events that will feature the first and only black president in American history stumping for Harris, 59, in the run-up to Election Day — Obama became most animated as he railed against men who believe Trump is the stronger candidate. “I’m sorry, gentlemen, I noticed this, especially with some men who seem to think Trump’s behavior p...