Barack Obama urges black male voters to stand up for Kamala Harris

Barack Obama gave an impassioned speech in support of Kamala Harris' presidential campaign at the University of Pittsburgh last night. In his speech, Obama reiterated that the upcoming election “will be close because there are still a lot of Americans out there who are struggling.”

However, he added: “It’s not just about policies that are on the ballot. It's about values.” The former president, who endorsed Harris after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race earlier this summer, used the speech to denounce Republican candidate Donald Trump as a selfish politician who only cares about “his ego, his money and his status”.

“If you had a family member who behaved like (Trump), you might still love them, but you would tell them, 'You have a problem,' and you wouldn't put them in charge of anything,” Obama said. “And yet when Donald Trump lies or cheats or completely disrespects our Constitution, when he calls prisoners of war 'losers' or fellow citizens 'vermin,' people find excuses for it.”

Obama used the speech as an opportunity to bluntly tell black male voters to choose Harris. “I understand, based on reports I'm getting from campaigns and communities, that we haven't seen the same kind of energy and turnout in all areas of our neighborhoods and communities as we did when I ran,” he said. He added that the lack of enthusiasm for Harris “seems to be more pronounced among the brothers.”

“Are you thinking about sitting out or supporting someone who has denigrated you in the past because you believe that is a sign of strength because that is what it means to be a man? “Put women down?” Obama said. “This is not acceptable. You come up with all kinds of reasons and excuses, I have a problem with that. Because part of it makes me think – and I'm speaking directly to men – part of it makes me think that you're just not feeling the idea of ​​having a woman as president and are coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for it .”

Obama acknowledged that “the women in our lives have supported us throughout.” He said: “When we get in trouble and the system isn’t working for us, they’re the ones out there marching and protesting.”

“On the one hand, there is someone who grew up like you did, who knows you, went to college with you, and understands the struggles and the pain and the joy that come with those experiences,” Obama told the crowd. “And on the other hand, you have someone who consistently disrespects not only the community but also you as a person.”

During the lengthy speech, Obama reiterated his point that voters should elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as America's new leaders. “Whether this election leaves you feeling excited or scared, hopeful or frustrated or anything in between, don’t just sit back and hope for the best,” Obama said. “Get off your couch and vote. Put your phone away and vote. Grab your friends and family and vote. Vote for Kamala Harris.”

Obama had already spoken out in favor of Harris at the Democratic Party Convention in August. “We don’t need another four years of bluster, bluster and chaos,” Obama said of Trump. “We've seen this movie before and we all know that the sequel is usually worse. America is ready for a new chapter, a better story. We are ready for President Kamala Harris.”