Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attends a campaign event in Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. October 11, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
Kamala Harris to Focus on Economic Policies for Black Men in Detroit Event
Effort to Energize Key Voting Bloc
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is set to highlight her economic policies aimed at benefiting Black men during an upcoming event in Detroit. The event, scheduled for Tuesday, will feature an interview with Charlamagne tha God, a popular Black radio host, in an effort to engage a key voter demographic that some advisers fear has increasingly gravitated toward Republican rival Donald Trump, according to sources familiar with the plans.
Harris’s policy focus will center on economic issues such as access to capital for Black entrepreneurs, small business growth, and housing solutions. Notably, her campaign will avoid discussing racial justice issues during this event, the sources added. These economic policies are drawn from her broader platform, which seeks to lower costs and boost the middle class.
Electoral Implications
The Harris campaign’s move to target Black men comes as the race between Harris and Trump tightens ahead of the November 5 election. Both campaigns are working to solidify support among their core voter bases, and neither can afford significant defections. Some Democrats have expressed concern over Harris’s relatively soft support from Black men, a demographic that played a crucial role in electing President Joe Biden in 2020. A recent NAACP poll found that over 25% of young Black men expressed support for Trump, compared to the roughly 80% of Black male voters who backed Biden in 2020.
The Harris campaign did not comment on the upcoming event or policy focus.
Trump’s Outreach to Black Voters
In contrast, Trump’s campaign has been actively courting Black voters, particularly in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Nevada. The campaign has teamed up with Black rappers and organized community events and small business roundtables. Trump has also positioned himself as a defender of jobs for Black Americans, claiming that they are at risk due to increased migration across the U.S. border.
Obama’s Call to Black Men
Former President Barack Obama recently made headlines with a strong message directed at Black men, urging them to reconsider any hesitance about supporting Harris. Speaking at a campaign event on Thursday, Obama suggested that some Black men were looking for reasons not to support her candidacy, possibly because of her gender.
“Part of it makes me think…you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president,” Obama said, addressing Black men directly. His comments sparked controversy within the Black community, with some criticizing the former president for singling out Black men.
Nina Turner, a senior fellow at the Institute on Race, Power, and Political Economy, responded to Obama’s remarks, arguing that Black men remain one of the most loyal Democratic voting blocs, stating, “It’s wrong to single out Black men when Black men are the most loyal male voting bloc for Democrats.”
Charlamagne tha God to Host Key Event
The event on Tuesday will be held in Detroit, a swing state, and will include an audience that can ask Harris questions directly. Charlamagne tha God, whose show resonates with younger Black voters, especially millennials, said that he looks forward to discussing pressing issues with Harris. The interview is expected to be a critical opportunity for Harris to directly address concerns and energize Black male voters in the final stretch of the campaign.
Harris has instructed her campaign team to increase outreach efforts toward Black men, including organizing events where their issues and voices are prioritized, according to one of the sources.
The event in Detroit will be a key moment for Harris to reinforce her commitment to economic policies that benefit Black men while seeking to shore up support from a crucial demographic in a tightly contested election.
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