President Biden recently kicked off his Black voter outreach program in Philadelphia, highlighting his accomplishments, executive orders, appointments, investments, and economic statistics. He emphasized that his administration has invested more in Black America than any previous administration in history. In contrast, former President Donald Trump has made blunt appeals about the economy to non-white voters, claiming that African Americans are “getting slaughtered.” The difference in approach between the two camps underscores the importance of Black outreach in the 2024 elections.
Black voters are key components of the Democratic coalition, particularly in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Georgia. While polls show President Biden winning strong majorities of Black voters, there is concern among party loyalists that he is underperforming compared to past Democratic benchmarks. Former President Trump touts his four years in office as a period of peace and prosperity, hoping that Black voters will remember his economic record fondly and overlook the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
President Biden’s Black voter outreach strategy focuses on contrasting Trump’s divisive record with his own accomplishments, such as reducing the racial wealth gap, investing in historically Black colleges and universities, appointing the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, expanding high-speed internet access, and promoting policies to reconnect divided Black neighborhoods. However, recent polls indicate that Biden’s support among Black registered voters is below expectations, highlighting the need for a more effective messaging strategy to demonstrate how his agenda has improved the lives of Black voters.
Ashley Etienne, who worked on the 2020 Biden campaign, expressed concern about the lack of a clear message beyond listing accomplishments. She noted that the administration’s inability to advance police reform and voting-rights legislation in Congress has impacted Black voter perceptions. While Biden’s policies have made some progress through executive orders and Justice Department actions, more concrete legislative victories are needed to address the challenges facing Black communities.
Former President Trump’s outreach to Black and Latino voters focuses on blaming economic struggles on migrants and displacing them from jobs and opportunities. He aims to reduce the number of Black voters overall or sway some to support him by emphasizing his economic record and downplaying his controversial statements and actions. Trump’s narrative highlights the negative impact of immigration on Black and Hispanic populations, appealing to concerns about job displacement and economic prosperity.
President Biden’s aggressive Black outreach efforts, including speaking at Black-centric events, delivering commencement addresses, and connecting with Black media outlets, demonstrate the centrality of mobilizing Black voters for his 2024 campaign. While his focus on contrasting his record with Trump’s divisive rhetoric is aimed at solidifying support among Black voters, there is a need for a more compelling and accessible messaging strategy to effectively communicate the impact of his policies on Black communities. As the campaigns continue to shape their messaging and outreach strategies, the importance of engaging and mobilizing Black voters remains a key factor in the upcoming elections.
