BLACKVOTER.ORG #50

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BlackVoter.org & Edith Wilson (content curation advisor)
May 06, 2024

DID YOU KNOW….!? Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Americans are experiencing a disproportionate burden, with higher infection and mortality rates. Let's discuss the underlying health disparities and advocate for equitable access to healthcare and resources.

Vice President Kamala Harris is leading a historic effort to reach out to the Black community as the Biden campaign relies on her to increase support. Harris recently attended a dinner with Black finance leaders to discuss strategies for increasing Black voter engagement in the reelection campaign. The campaign is exploring new ways to engage Black voters and attract younger Black Americans who may be disenchanted with the Democratic Party. Harris is set to deliver speeches and appear at events focused on economic opportunity and abortion rights to strengthen her appeal to Black voters. The campaign is also planning more outreach efforts through Black media.

Some highlights from the article include:

• Harris is facing challenges in connecting with Black voters, especially men, as polling data indicates a decline in Black support for Biden
• Democrats are concerned about potential shifts in Black voter turnout, particularly if former President Trump chooses South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott as his running mate, aiming to capitalize on disaffection among minorities and young voters
• Harris is actively seeking input from Black male leaders in politics, culture, and business to better understand how to reach this demographic
• Harris is focusing on dispelling negative perceptions and shifting the conversation to economic opportunities and job creation
• Harris is highlighting the importance of addressing economic disparities and providing resources to help Black entrepreneurs succeed
• The campaign is addressing concerns about declining Black support for Biden and the need to earn the trust and votes of Black voters.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott responded to racist conspiracy theories surrounding the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge by reclaiming the term DEI, which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion. He stated that when applied derogatorily to him, DEI means "duly elected incumbent." Scott, who is Black, emphasized that he was elected with 70 percent of the vote in a city that is 61 percent Black, debunking the notion that he was a "diversity hire." He called out those attacking him for being Black and a mayor, saying that they are threatened by his presence because it challenges their racist ideology. Scott described DEI as a euphemism for racist sentiments that these individuals don't have the courage to express openly. He asserted that his purpose is to disrupt their way of thinking and ensure that everyone has a say, not just wealthy white men. The article also mentioned that some conservatives are blaming the bridge collapse on a "wide-open border" and COVID-19 lockdowns, while others are complaining about "anti-white business practices" related to DEI initiatives.

Black churches in Maryland are ramping up their efforts to mobilize voters ahead of the upcoming elections. These churches are organizing "Souls to the Polls" events, which encourage their congregants to register and vote on Sundays during the early voting period. Clergy leaders are using the pulpit to emphasize the importance of voting, stating that the stakes are high in the current political climate. Candidates, including U.S. Senate hopefuls Angela Alsobrooks, David Trone, and Larry Hogan, have been visiting Black churches to make their pitch to voters. Black churches have historically played a significant role in Maryland elections and continue to hold influence, despite the waning power since the Civil Rights Movement. The organizing efforts of Black women within these churches have been instrumental in driving voter turnout, but they have not always been front-facing leaders in these organizing efforts. Despite declining early voting numbers, these churches serve as a trusted source of information for the community, making them a vital channel for disseminating voter information.

According to recent polls, former President Donald Trump's early polling lead over President Joe Biden has slipped in recent months as he's been on trial in two separate cases in Manhattan. Some highlights from the article include: - Since January, Trump has lost support among voters under 35, Hispanic voters, and independents. Biden has gained support among voters under 35, independents, and Black voters. - Recent polls have shown Biden beating Trump by a small margin in a two-way race, and widening his lead when third-party candidates are included on the ballot. - Biden has seen a boost in polls as he has ramped up his campaign schedule and fundraising, while Trump has been preoccupied with his court cases.

A new survey conducted by The Washington Post/Ipsos has found that the share of Black Americans who are certain they will vote in the upcoming election has dropped compared to the 2020 election. The survey reveals the following key points:

• Only 62% of Black voters said they are “absolutely certain” they will vote in November’s election, marking a 12-point decrease from June 2020.
• Voter interest among young Black Americans has seen the sharpest decline, with only 41% of Black voters aged 18 to 39 saying they are certain to vote.
• Disappointment with the Biden-Harris administration's lack of progress on issues important to the Black community, such as criminal justice reform and police accountability, is a possible reason for the drop in voter interest.
• Despite the decline in voter certainty, 74% of Black voters still say they will “definitely” or “probably” vote for Biden, compared to only 14% who would vote for Trump.
• The survey also found that Biden is more trusted than Trump on handling racism, abortion, and the economy.
• However, approval ratings for Biden among Black Americans have dropped from 66% in 2023 to 62% in 2024, though this is still higher than the general public's approval of Biden at around 40%.

Overall, the drop in voter certainty among Black Americans could spell trouble for President Biden, as Black voters are a critical base for Democrats.

Rapper Kanye West announced on Twitter that he is distancing himself from politics, three weeks after his controversial meeting with US President Donald Trump. West, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump, tweeted, "My eyes are now wide open and now realize I’ve been used to spread messages I don’t believe in. I am distancing myself from politics and completely focusing on being creative!!!" He also stated that he never wanted any association with a campaign called Blexit, which encourages African Americans to leave the Democratic Party. West disavowed any involvement in the campaign after its leader, Candace Owens, suggested that he had designed the logo for Blexit merchandise. West's comments came just ahead of the US congressional elections on 6 November.

Sen. Tim Scott responded to backlash from The View by suggesting that the hosts are "afraid" of the Republican Party gaining more black voters. Scott, who is the only black Republican senator, made this remark in a video response after a segment on The View discussed former President Donald Trump's list of potential vice presidential candidates, which includes Scott. The senator stated that the hosts are attacking him for being the only black Republican in the Senate, but what they are truly afraid of is the momentum among black voters for the GOP. Scott cited a recent Wall Street Journal poll that found that 30% of black voters were planning to vote for Trump over President Joe Biden, a significant shift from the 92% that voted for Biden in the 2020 election. Scott emphasized that the Republican Party is "on the move" in his community and that they are breaking the monopoly on the black vote.

In an engaging interview with Norah O'Donnell on 60 Minutes, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries discussed a range of topics including the Israel-Hamas war, the state of the Republican Party in Congress, and the stakes of the upcoming 2024 election. Here are some highlights from the interview:

• Jeffries has built a reputation as a consensus builder and a tough opponent of the Republican Party.
• The Republican Party in Congress is currently facing infighting and has been largely ineffective.
• Jeffries believes that some Republicans are more interested in creating chaos and dysfunction than in solving problems.
• Jeffries is working to find common ground with Republicans, and he believes that Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, appreciates his efforts.
• Jeffries spoke out against far-left members of his own party who have shown support for the protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protest and condemning anti-Semitism, racism, and xenophobia.
• He believes that Israel was justified in responding to the terrorist attacks by Hamas but also believes that Israel should take more steps to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza.
• Jeffries acknowledged the challenges faced by President Biden and the Democratic Party in the upcoming election but believes that voters will ultimately consider who is fighting for everyday Americans.
• He discussed immigration reform, abortion rights, and the Democrats' legislative wins on gun safety and infrastructure.

Throughout the interview, Jeffries demonstrated his commitment to finding common ground and working towards practical solutions to pressing issues. He also emphasized the importance of communication and making a compelling case to the American people.

Black men in Georgia played a crucial role in helping President Biden win the 2020 election, but there are concerns about whether he will be able to maintain their support in the 2024 election. A CBS News poll showed that 76% of likely Black voters in Georgia backed Biden's reelection bid, down from 87% in 2020. Younger Black men in particular have been slow to return to Biden's fold, with some expressing a lack of enthusiasm for a 2020 rematch. Misinformation and narratives online have played a role in waning interest among Black men in Biden. Republicans are looking to attract Black men away from Biden's base, but they don't have the same resources as previous cycles. Local ancillary groups like the Georgia Black Republican Council are being used for outreach efforts. The Black Conservative Federation has rolled out a get out the vote policy plan targeting Black men in battleground states. Some Democrats argue that Republicans have not made a good faith effort to invest in Black communities.

Charles Barkley has responded strongly to recent comments made by Donald Trump, stating that he would "punch" any Black person wearing Trump's mugshot. Barkley expressed deep offense at Trump's comparison of his situation to the historical discrimination faced by Black people. He emphasized the seriousness of the events surrounding the Capitol riot and the false claims of election fraud, rejecting any attempts to downplay their significance. In Barkley's view, equating Trump's legal troubles to the struggles of Black Americans is disrespectful and dismissive of the centuries-long fight against discrimination. He found Trump's comments insulting and unacceptable, asserting that they diminish the gravity of Black history and the ongoing struggle for racial equality.

President Donald Trump has launched a new initiative called "Black Voices for Trump," aimed at recruiting and activating African-American voters. Speaking at a black voters coalition event in Atlanta, Georgia, Trump criticised the Democratic Party, claiming they have "dismissed" and "hurt" black voters for too long. The President predicted he would win re-election in 2020 with support from African-Americans, but his low approval rating among black voters suggests this is unlikely. Trump's campaign has launched similar minority coalitions for women, Latinos and veterans in an effort to broaden his voter base. Despite some achievements such as criminal justice reform and record-low black unemployment, Trump has faced backlash for racially charged attacks and has been accused of exaggerating minority gains. Critics believe the real objective behind the new outreach initiative is to discourage voter turnout for the Democratic nominee.

A recent Washington Post-Ipsos poll has found that fewer Black Americans plan to vote in the 2024 election compared to four years ago. This could pose a challenge for President Biden, who heavily relied on Black voters for his victory in 2020. The poll suggests that there has been a decrease in enthusiasm among young Black Americans for the Biden administration. Here are some highlights from the article:

• Black Americans' desire to vote in the upcoming election has declined significantly.
• President Biden's efforts to court Black voters may be hindered by this trend.
• Young Black Americans, in particular, have become disillusioned with the Biden administration.
• The decrease in Black voter turnout could have implications for the outcome of the 2024 election.

Overall, this poll highlights the need for President Biden and his administration to address the concerns and disillusionment among young Black Americans to ensure their support and electoral participation in the upcoming election.

A former US Capitol police officer who defended lawmakers during the January 6th attack and a man who served time in prison for joining the mob are both running for Congress. These campaigns for the Democratic and Republican nominations highlight the deep divisions in the country more than three years after the siege by Donald Trump supporters. Democrat Harry Dunn and Republican Derrick Evans are seeking nominations in strongly partisan districts, and if successful, could serve together in the House of Representatives next year. Dunn said his experience on January 6th compelled him to enter politics and voice his concerns about the stability of US democracy. Evans, on the other hand, views his participation in the riot as a badge of courage and highlights issues such as building Trump's border wall and supporting term limits. The two candidates are a reflection of the divided state of American politics.

Former President Donald Trump promised to make significant efforts to win over Black, Latino, and Asian voters, but there remain doubts about whether his campaign will deliver on those promises. Trump has talked about holding a major campaign event at New York's Madison Square Garden that would feature Black hip-hop artists and athletes, and his campaign has mentioned plans to visit Chicago, Detroit, and Atlanta to engage with leaders of color. However, five months before the election, the campaign has not provided much evidence of any organization or targeted programs for minority outreach. The Republican Party's minority outreach offices have been closed, and campaign officials admit they are weeks away from rolling out any specific programs.

• Trump's campaign has little apparent organization or targeted programs for minority outreach.
• Campaign officials removed the point person for coalitions and have not announced a replacement.
• Republican Party minority outreach offices have been closed and replaced by various businesses.
• Trump's campaign has not provided many specifics about their outreach plans and when they will be implemented.
• Trump's team believes they have momentum with African American and Hispanic voters and insist they will make gains in these communities.
• There are signs of frustration among Republicans on the ground who believe there is a real opportunity to win over voters of color.
• Biden has been spending millions on ads and opening new offices in minority neighborhoods to appeal to Black and Latino voters.
• Trump's personal legal troubles may be complicating his campaign's outreach efforts.

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