Biden launching new strategy to win Black voters
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President Biden poses for a photo at the Morehouse College's commencement ceremony on May 19 in Atlanta. Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images
President Biden will unveil a campaign strategy to regain ground among Black voters during a visit to Philadelphia today, with a rally at a majority-Black school and Vice President Kamala Harris by his side.
Why it matters: Biden ran up big margins with Black voters as part of his winning coalition against former President Trump four years ago, taking them 92%–8%.
- But polling has consistently shown a lack of enthusiasm among Black voters for Biden. A recent New York Times/Sienna survey put his support at 69%–18% over Trump with Black voters.
- Biden's new plan, which includes an eight-figure investment, will rely on Black student organizations, community groups, churches and surrogates to improve his standing with Black voters in swing states.
- He's also making a point of campaigning in their communities.
Driving the news: Following a rally at Girard College, a private boarding school in Philadelphia, Biden will attend an organizing event at a local Black-owned small business, where he'll tout his administration's record on improving Black household wealth.
- "Today's launch of the Black Voters for Biden-Harris coalition is yet another example of our campaign working diligently to earn every single vote," said Quentin Fulks, Biden's principal deputy campaign manager.
- "This coalition and the newly announced summer outreach and engagement programming serve as the next phase of our campaign's ongoing historic investments in outreach to the backbone of the Biden-Harris coalition — Black voters."
Zoom out: Biden's campaign is convinced that many voters who supported him in 2020 will return to the Democratic party as the 2024 contest comes into sharper focus.
- But they know they have to work to bolster enthusiasm for Biden among young, Black and Hispanic voters.
- To repeat his 2020 victory, Biden must win them with overwhelming support.
Between the lines: There are warning signs about an enthusiasm problem with Black voters for Biden, according to a Washington Post survey. Turnout is expected to be lower.
- In March, Biden launched "Latinos con Biden-Harris" at a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix.
Zoom in: In Philadelphia, Biden will be joined by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond, Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nevada), the chair and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
- Earlier this month, Biden gave a commencement address at Morehouse College, an all-male historically Black institution.
- It was the latest of several events where Biden has appeared before Black communities.
By the numbers: Black voters made up 10% of Pennsylvania's eligible electorate in 2020, according to the Pew Research Center.
- In Georgia, another battleground state, Black people accounted for 32% of eligible voters.
- In Michigan, it was 13%.
