President Joe Biden’s efforts to secure a large percentage of the Black vote in November’s presidential election isn’t going to plan.
Biden needs support from Black voters in order to win a second successive term in the White House. However, only 62% of Black Americans are “absolutely certain” they will cast their ballot when the country goes to the polls, and those that do intend to vote are increasing their support for Donald Trump. If polling becomes reality, Trump will win a larger share of the black vote than any Republican since Richard Nixon.
Biden is pulling off all the stops to secure the Black vote, even if the supposedly devout Catholic has ceased his daily visits to the local Baptist church. His defiant posts, filled with policy ideas on how he will improve matters for the Black community, have sought to win back the demographic he needs to secure the White House.
The relaunch of Biden’s Black campaign will take time to reap in the effects, particularly given the current disconnect between the President and his disgruntled voters. On Wednesday, May 29, Biden held a rally in Pennsylvania – a key swing state where the winner usually goes on to take the White House.
However, there was a problem. While it’s all well and good campaigning under a Black Voters for Biden/Harris banner, it’s intended impact is limited when attendance is miniscule.
When pictures first emerged at 2pm EST, critics were quick to point out the comparison with Trump’s support in the largely Black Bronx area of New York.
Ultimately, Black Americans are divided over the president, with his campaign seeking to unify Black voters against his Republican rival.
Nevertheless, people engage with pictures over words in today’s digital era. If Biden’s to win the Black vote, he needs to look like he has the support; the scenes from Philadelphia, if Wednesday is to go by, suggests he doesn’t.
