In Milwaukee on Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized her efforts to address the racial wealth gap. President Biden is scheduled to give the commencement address at Morehouse College in Atlanta on Sunday, an all-male historically Black institution. He is also expected to speak at an N.A.A.C.P. dinner in Detroit on the same day.
Despite intensified efforts by Mr. Biden and his team to engage Black voters, challenges remain evident as new evidence emerges indicating difficulties in retaining the support of this crucial, largely Democratic demographic. This poses a threat to his ability to recreate the winning coalition from the 2020 election.
One of the areas where these challenges are most pronounced is Philadelphia, where signs of weakening support for Mr. Biden were apparent in interviews with voters, elected officials, and strategists in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
Only eight voters expressed a firm commitment to voting for Mr. Biden, with many others considering staying home or even supporting former President Donald J. Trump. Concerns about immigration, cost of living, and a perception that Mr. Biden is more focused on international issues than domestic problems were cited as reasons for this hesitancy. Despite Mr. Biden’s policy achievements, some voters were unaware of his record.
Democrats have traditionally relied on strong support from Philadelphia and its suburbs to offset weaknesses in other parts of the state. The concern now is that apathy among Black voters in the city may lead to lower turnout rather than a shift towards the opposition.
Polling data has consistently shown a decline in Black support for Mr. Biden across battleground states. In Pennsylvania, Mr. Biden’s support among Black voters has decreased slightly compared to four years ago, although he still maintains a majority.
Efforts to mobilize Black voters on the ground face significant challenges, with the task described as a “battle against the couch” due to the difficulty in convincing voters to actively support Mr. Biden. The Biden campaign is working to address this issue on multiple fronts.
The campaign has invested heavily in advertising aimed at battleground states, with a particular focus on Black media. Both Mr. Biden and Vice President Harris have engaged with Black radio hosts and community leaders to highlight their administration’s policies that benefit Black communities.
In addition to traditional outreach methods, the Biden campaign is exploring innovative approaches to connect with Black voters in cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Plans include using campaign offices as community hubs and involving local celebrities to help reach out to the community.
While there are signs of hesitancy among some Black voters, some Democrats attribute this to the early stage of the election cycle and express skepticism about polls indicating a significant shift in support.
Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, a key ally of Mr. Biden, has campaigned for him in Philadelphia, expressing confidence in the support for the President despite polling data suggesting otherwise.
Mr. Clyburn dismissed the idea that Black Americans would back Mr. Trump, emphasizing the former president’s history of racist remarks. He remains optimistic about the enthusiasm for Mr. Biden’s campaign among Black voters.
Some Black voters in Philadelphia echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of supporting Mr. Biden to avoid regressing to past injustices.
On the other hand, some Black voters in Philadelphia expressed disillusionment with both major political parties, perceiving Democrats as making empty promises and associating Republicans with racism and elitism.
The Biden campaign emphasizes the President’s achievements, such as reducing the cost of insulin for seniors, passing a significant infrastructure bill, and lowering Black unemployment rates. Democratic allies argue that these accomplishments demonstrate Mr. Biden’s commitment to improving the lives of all Americans.
While some voters remain undecided or critical of the current political landscape, the campaign aims to convey the positive impact of Mr. Biden’s policies and engage voters in meaningful dialogues ahead of the election.
