Biden Wants Black Voter Turnout Similar to Obamas. Hell Need Black Men. – The New York Times
MILWAUKEE Long before the coronavirus pandemic, the economic downturn and the recent protests over racial inequality, the Black men of Milwaukees North Side had experience with crises converging all at once.
In one ZIP code of mostly Black residents 53206 more than half of the children live in poverty. The neighborhood records terrible health outcomes, according to experts. And among Black men, one study estimated that from 2000 to 2017, about 42 percent of those ages 25 to 34 were incarcerated or on probation.
The men in the area who are eligible to vote can expect long lines and strict voter identification laws at the ballot box. Still, many vote consistently, calling it an electoral act of defiance in an imperfect democracy.
Ive voted in every election, said Charles Huley, 75, a church elder who lives on the North Side. What changes is who I can convince to come with me.
For Democrats, who rely on Black voters to power their electoral advantages in Americas urban centers, the difference between good and great Black voter turnout is often dependent on how many Black men go to the polls.
Black women are the partys most loyal demographic base often referred to as its backbone but motivated Black male voters were a crucial distinction between former President Barack Obamas record-setting Black turnout in 2008 and 2012 and the diminished performance of Hillary Clinton in 2016.
In states like Wisconsin, which was decided in 2016 by less than 23,000 votes, that dip was one of the causes of a Democratic night to forget, proof that the nominee had problems motivating the base, not just among swing voters.
In deep-blue Milwaukee County, where statewide Democrats run up the score to offset more conservative rural areas, Mrs. Clinton had one of the largest drop-offs in raw votes of any county in the country, earning more than 40,000 fewer votes than Mr. Obama did four years earlier. Pew Research estimated that in 2016, 64 percent of eligible Black women said they had voted compared with 54 percent of eligible Black men, a much larger gender gap than for white or Hispanic voters.
Four years later, as Joseph R. Biden Jr. seeks to build the coalition Mrs. Clinton could not, he operates with several personal and structural advantages.
In interviews with a dozen Black men in Milwaukee during the recent Democratic National Convention, and with several of the states most visible Black male elected officials, they predicted that Black turnout in November would look more like it did for Mr. Obamas victories than for Mrs. Clintons loss, fueled by a leap in enthusiasm from Black men.
Little of this is because of Mr. Bidens personal appeal, they said, though he benefits from his close relationship with Mr. Obama and an absence of the sexism that many women running for office face.
The interviewees isolated other, more important factors: the constant chaos of President Trumps administration, a backlash to the presidents demonization of minorities to win over white suburbanites and even Mr. Bidens selection of Senator Kamala Harris of California as his running mate.
Four years ago, I dont think a lot of Black men felt directly connected to that campaign, said Mandela Barnes, who became Wisconsins first Black lieutenant governor in 2019. But in 2020, he said, people are more desperate people need solutions and need answers.
Cavalier Johnson, the president of Milwaukees Common Council, the citys version of a City Council, said another advantage for Mr. Biden was that his campaign and voters were less likely to take victory for granted.
There was this strong assumption based on the past presidential elections about this blue wall that was impenetrable, said Mr. Johnson, who is known as Chevy, referring to the commonly repeated fact that Mrs. Clinton did not hold an in-person event in Wisconsin during the run-up to the general election.
He said that courting turnout from Black men was the same as for any other group: You have to come out and you have to ask. And then you have to address the issues that are of concern to them.
The die is not cast, however, and Mrs. Clintons fate still holds warning signs for Mr. Biden and his campaign. They are both Washington insiders who struggled with younger Black voters in the primary a key demographic in Mr. Obamas general-election coalition but won older Black voters handily en route to the nomination.
Throughout her race, Mrs. Clinton faced skepticism for her association with the 1990s expansion of the federal prison system, an overhaul that Mr. Biden helped craft. He has recently embraced the language of acknowledging systemic racism, and released a sweeping policy meant to close the racial wealth gap and improve education in Black communities. Still, as with Mrs. Clinton, the matter of trust remains.
In November, it could be Mr. Bidens improvements with white voters throughout the state not his prowess with motivating infrequent Black voters that powers his electoral success.
These people locked up a lot of my brothers, you know, Adi Armour, 49, said, adding that he did not vote for Mrs. Clinton in 2016 but planned to vote for Mr. Biden in 2020. He called the decision a tough one.
Itll be more of a vote to get Trump out of there than a vote for Biden to get in, he explained.
Mr. Trump and his Republican allies have zeroed in on the importance of Black male voters in swing states like Wisconsin, and have made some concerted efforts to pry them away from Democrats.
Their efforts are twofold: to argue that Black voters loyalty to Democrats has not been rewarded effectively asking them, in Mr. Trumps famous words last election cycle, What do you have to lose? And to focus less on persuading Black men to vote for Republicans and more on creating an environment for low turnout over all.
In a leaked audio recording recently published by Politico, Mr. Trump said days before his inauguration: Many Blacks didnt go out to vote for Hillary cause they liked me. That was almost as good as getting the vote, you know, and it was great.
He has said similar things publicly, and allies have argued that the administrations restrictive immigration policies could appeal to some Black voters who share a nativist instinct that outsiders are to blame for their communitys woes.
State Representative David Bowen, a Democrat from Milwaukee, said he was confident that Mr. Trumps campaign efforts would not take root, considering how much the president had done to inflame racial tension. Mr. Bowen said he worried more about the pandemics effects on reaching infrequent Black voters, as normal canvassing tools like door knocking and registration drives become more difficult.
The in-person organizing that would be there, and that the Black community is used to, isnt at the same level, Mr. Bowen said. Being on the safe side is important. But how do we balance that with the need of meeting people where they are? Because thats important, too.
Mr. Bowen is part of a cohort of Black leaders and activists who have protested racial inequality for more than 85 days straight, an effort that began after George Floyd was killed by the Minneapolis police in late May. Mr. Bowen said the group had shown no signs of slowing, and wanted to sustain its momentum and force Democrats including Mr. Biden to be more responsive to its concerns.
He said that although Mr. Biden could win without robust young voter turnout, a Democratic Party that was not responsive to the current flood of activism risked creating a disaffected generation for years to come one that includes Black men.
Younger voters supported that Bernie Sanders agenda because they wanted big change, Mr. Bowen said. Older Democrats are more moderate, and some of them feel like incremental change is enough right now. But the people who are closest to the pain are the younger ones, and theyre calling for substantial change in agenda. They have real demands.
According to the Pew data from 2016, Black men vote at comparable rates to other minority groups. Even for Mrs. Clinton in 2016, Black turnout returned to its levels during the pre-Obama Democratic Party, not a drop-off that was historically unprecedented.
In recent weeks, several political organizations have announced initiatives targeted at improving the political process in Black communities, and at motivating less frequent Black voters to come to the polls. More Than a Vote, a collective of athletes headlined by the basketball star LeBron James, said it would invest millions to try to recruit poll workers in Black communities. The N.A.A.C.P. announced a campaign called Black Voices Change Lives, which will seek to expand peer-to-peer organizing in Black communities. Its stated target is a 5 percent increase in Black voter turnout in the general election from 2016.
Gaulien Smith, who owns Gees Clippers, a barbershop in Milwaukee, said he thought sexism had played a role in some Black male apathy for Mrs. Clinton. He posited that there had been a different reaction to Ms. Harris on the ticket, because she is seen more as someone who understands the Black experience and can be a champion for Black men.
In her, we see history, Mr. Smith said.
At Gees Clippers, on the citys Near North Side, the health crisis might have changed the social nature of the barbershop, but it could not destroy it. With people wearing masks and chairs spaced apart, a gaggle of Black men watched an afternoon game of the N.B.A. playoffs, hours before Mr. Biden was to accept the Democratic nomination.
The flow of customers and barbers stretched the gamut of the citys Black male electorate: businessmen, church elders, teenagers and activists. And while there was universal distaste of Mr. Trump, even from some who said they had expressed interest in his candidacy four years ago, there was a sense that 2020 was not 2016 a mantra that has been reflected in polling, fund-raising and other measures of a countrys political health.
Even if Kamala wasnt the vice-presidential candidate, I still feel that we will come out in droves because of what weve experienced these last four years, Mr. Smith said.
Kenny Paskel, 24, sat silent in a corner. When prompted, he said that Mr. Biden would probably be his choice, but that a felony conviction on his record since the age of 17 prevented him from voting. He cannot vote in this election, or any election in his lifetime, unless state law changes.
I guess I dont know what Im missing, he said.
See original here:
Biden Wants Black Voter Turnout Similar to Obamas. Hell Need Black Men. - The New York Times
- From Barack Obama to Emmanuel Macron, global leaders hit by AI and deepfakes - The Indian Express - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Heres what Trump and Obama laughed and talked about at Jimmy Carters funeral, new book reveals - New York Post - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama: I learned this great parenting tip from my mom and dadthey did a 'beautiful job' modeling it - CNBC - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump Asked Obama This Surprising Question at Jimmy Carter's Funeral, New Book Claims - People.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama frets young women are not allowed the unearned confidence young men have - Fox News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Barack Obama To Speak At The O2 London, 3Arena Dublin - Pollstar News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- 'Telling the American story' Obama, Pence to speak at the Global Summit in Erie | Opinion - Erie Times-News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Malia Obama Has the Bag Collection of My Dreams - Teen Vogue - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- This is what President Trump asked Obama at Jimmy Carters funeral, new book claims - PennLive.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- These 3 Words Help Teach Kids Critical Thinking, Say Michelle Obama (and Psychologists) - Inc.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Heres what smiling Trump, Obama really talked about at Carter funeral - SILive.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- What Obama, Trump Discussed During Viral Interaction Finally Revealed - Newsradio WTAM 1100 - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Details About Trump & Obama's Exchange At Jimmy Carter's Funeral Revealed - Black Information Network - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama on confidence gender gap: Men have it, even when they havent earned it - Washington Examiner - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- What Obama, Trump Discussed During Viral Interaction Finally Revealed - iHeart - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Obama directed intelligence communitys Trump-Russia witch hunt, CIA review reveals - BLiTZ - Fears None But God - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- What Trump really said to Obama as they were spotted laughing at Jimmy Carter's funeral finally revealed - UNILAD - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Letter to the Editor: Deporter-in-Chief? Thats Obama, not Trump - courierherald.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- 'Truth' behind Donald Trump and Barack Obama's friendly talk at Jimmy Carter's funeral as laughter stunned onlookers - The US Sun - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- What Donald Trump Said To Barack Obama At Jimmy Carter's Funeral - The Blast - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- We Finally Found Out What Trump And Obama Were Talking About At Jimmy Carter's Funeral - Yahoo - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- America Doesn't Like Trump: Obama and Even JD Vance are More Popular - thedailypoliticususa.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Barack Obama heads to the UK for talks - voice-online.co.uk - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama had to fight back tears during podcast. Heres why - PennLive - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Barack Obama to lift the lid on life in office in two live appearances - The Independent - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- FanDuel adds former Obama advisor and ex-NFL head to policy team - EGR North America - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Obama's scathing assessment of Biden's failed campaign revealed - Fox News - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- An Evening With Barack Obama Heading To Arenas In London And Dublin In September - Stereoboard.com - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- An Evening with President Barack Obama announced for London and Dublin - Mixtape Madness - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Former President Barack Obama to speak at Dublin event later this year - Hotpress - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama Say They're 'So Proud' of Daughter Malia on 27th Birthday: 'Keep Shining Bright, My Love' - People.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Steph Curry revealed what Barack Obama's golf game is like after playing with him and Jordan Spieth - The Golfing Gazette - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama Share Why They're "So Proud" of Malia on Her 27th Birthday - instyle.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama's new photo of Malia on her birthday leaves fans saying the same thing - hellomagazine.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Malia Obama celebrates her birthday on Fourth of July: Our favorite looks over the years - hola.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Your campaign is a mess: What incredulous Obama thought of Biden running again - Washington Examiner - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Malia Obama, Suri Cruise, Jennifer Garner, and more celebs wearing overalls - hola.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Bush, Obama and singer Bono fault Trumps gutting of USAID on agencys last day - Politico - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- USAID officially closes, attracting condemnation from Obama and Bush - BBC - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Mamdani campaign hires former Obama, Clinton spokesperson who wished death on Trump - New York Post - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Bush, Obama and singer Bono fault Trumps gutting of USAID on agencys last day - AP News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Mrs. Obama: Nation Must Step up Forever for Military Families - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Obama: Wont Accept Budget That Shortchanges Readiness - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Malia Obama shows off her summer abs on the way to the gym in Los Angeles - HOLA - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Readers respond: Obama deal would have avoided Trump bombing - OregonLive.com - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Rubio hails end of USAID as Bush, Obama deplore cost in lives - France 24 - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Obama, Bush and Bono bid a fond farewell to USAID - Daily Kos - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Fmr. Obama Treasury Sec. concerned Zohran Mamdani will ruin NYC if elected mayor - Fox News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Comments - Obama and Bush Team Up To Shred Trump Over USAID - The Bulwark - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- How Trump plays with new media says a lot about him as it did with FDR, Kennedy and Obama - The Conversation - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Obama Urges Americans to Pressure Reps to Reject Trump Megabill - The Rickey Smiley Morning Show - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Obama and Bush Unite in Rare Move Against Trump - The Daily Beast - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Bush, Obama and Bono Commend USAID Staff Members on Their Last Day - The New York Times - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Lucas: Obama and the Democrats paved the way for Irans nuclear program - Boston Herald - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Obama, Bush decry travesty of Trumps gutting of USAID on its last day - Al Jazeera - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Obama, Bush criticize Trump administration for gutting USAID - Washington Examiner - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- 10 Years Later: Looking Back On a Week That Shaped Our Country - Barack Obama Medium - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Bush, Obama and Bono bid farewell to USAID as 14m more deaths forecast without it - The Independent - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Obama, Bush and Bono eulogize USAID on final day - The Week - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- House Republicans call for investigation into Obama-appointed judge in Trump funding case - AOL.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Donald Trump's 'colossal mistake' BLASTED by Obama and Bush during surprise reunion that left Bono in tears - Daily Mail - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Physician Tina Shah, who served in Obama and Biden administrations, will challenge Kean in NJ-7 - New Jersey Globe - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama shares the three words her dying mother said that changed her outlook on life - TheGrio - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama's podcast puts her in limelight in new Trump era, but she's not coming to Democrats' rescue - Fox News - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Bush and Obama fault Trumps gutting of USAID on agencys last day - MSN - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Don Jr.: "Affirmative Action" is why Obama won Nobel, not Trump - CNN - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- A former Obama speechwriter learned to surf with his Joe Rogan-loving brother-in-law. Heres what happened next. - Inquirer.com - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- The key difference between Obama and Trump on immigration - Orange County Register - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama shares 4 words her mom said at the end of her life that stuck with her - NPR - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Discusses Parental Pain After Malia Changes Her Last Name to Push Away From Her Parents - Yahoo - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Emotionally Shares Impact of 3 Words from Her Dying Mother - MSN - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Reveals the Four Dying Words from Her Mother That Changed the Way She Lives Her Life - parade.com - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama reveals why shes rarely seen with Barack - Yahoo - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- See the photos of Barack Obama School for Social Justice graduation ceremony - Lohud - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Viral video: Michelle Obama tears up while remembering her mother, reveals her take on death | Watch - Mint - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says Barack Obama divorce rumor reactions are like 'the apocalypse' - USA Today - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- This week in whoppers: Former aide's 'anti-war' Obama fantasy, Nina Turner's ignorance on Iran's abuse of women and more - New York Post - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Obama and Biden sent American taxpayers' money to Iran...: White House reveals - WION - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Trump Jr Says Obama Getting Nobel Prize Over Father Is 'Affirmative Action' - Newsweek - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Gets Emotional Talking About the 3 Powerful Words Her Mom Said While Dying - People.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]