Obama’s Failed Appeal to Black Voters
In a Tuesday WarRoom conversation between Monica Crowley and Adam Coleman, author of From Black Victim to Black Victor and founder of Wrongspeak Publishing, they discussed the Democratic Party’s struggles to retain Black voters. Coleman points to President Obama’s recent appearance on behalf of Vice President Kamala Harris as a failed attempt to win over Black men.
"Obama wasn’t appealing to Black voters,” Coleman argues. "He was chastising them into cooperation.” Obama’s speech, which attempted to connect with Black men by using casual language, fell flat, and, according to Coleman, it insulted more than inspired. This shift is reflected in recent polling, which shows a significant portion of Black men moving toward President Trump and the Republican Party.
Democrats Take Black Voters for Granted
Coleman believes the Democratic Party has long taken Black voters for granted. He points out that Democrats view Black Americans as their most loyal base, yet they offer them little of substance in return. "They give them superficial wants and spread oppression narratives,” he says, adding that their main selling point is, "At least we’re not those racist Republicans.”
This approach, Coleman explains, no longer resonates with many Black Americans, particularly Black men, who have seen little improvement in their lives under Democratic leadership. "People are watching what’s been happening since Trump left office,” Coleman says. Economic struggles, especially inflation and rising crime rates, are key factors pushing voters to reconsider their political allegiances.
Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party’s Struggles
Kamala Harris, in particular, has struggled to distance herself from President Biden’s unpopular policies. Crowley points out that Harris’s television appearances, in which she fully supports Biden’s decisions, have done little to help her image. Coleman agrees, calling her "incompetent” at managing public relations and distancing herself from Biden’s failures.
Crowley highlights how President Trump’s policies benefited Black Americans, citing record-low unemployment rates and Trump’s efforts in criminal justice reform. "Trump did a tremendous amount of work for the Black community,” Crowley says, arguing that more Black Americans are recognizing these accomplishments.
Black Men Shift Toward Trump
Polling shows that Black men, in particular, are moving toward Trump. In 2020, Trump received around 8% of the Black vote, and recent polls show that support could reach up to 20% among Black men. Coleman is more cautious about these numbers, predicting it may settle around 15%. "Even 15% is historically high,” Coleman notes.
However, Coleman warns that if Harris loses, Democrats may scapegoat Black men for their failure. "They’ll turn to 6% of the U.S. population and blame them for the loss of the entire election,” he predicts.
Democrats’ Risky Strategy
Coleman believes the Democrats are playing a dangerous game by assuming Black voters will continue to support them. He observes that many Black voters are beginning to see the Democratic Party as elitist, a party that cares little about their struggles. Obama’s chastising tone toward Black men only reinforces this perception. "They’re realizing they’ve been taken for granted,” Coleman says.
Coleman concludes that while the shift toward Trump may not last forever, it signals a broader dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s approach to Black voters. For many, it’s less about loving Trump and more about rejecting what the Democrats have become.
For more of our coverage of this shift in the voting base:
Rising Tide: How Trump’s 2024 Campaign is Gaining Momentum Among Minority Voters
For more context from Coleman watch the full Tuesday’s WarRoom segment:
