Harris used her time in South Carolina prior to dropping out of her 2020 presidential bid in order to broaden her network among Black voters, according to aides. Since then, she’s continued doing this on her current college tour as well.
Plan: Biden needs to dispel criticism that he lacks enthusiasm from key Democratic constituencies – specifically Black voters and young people.
Vice President Kamala Harris
South Carolina was a test for the Democratic ticket as they sought to strengthen support among Black voters and young people who helped Mr. Biden win four years prior. Polling data also shows that some of those groups may not be as enthusiastic about a Harris-Biden presidency.
At a church in Orangeburg, located 90 minutes northeast of Charleston, they addressed local pastors – some supporting Ms. Harris’ 2020 presidential run – before standing in photo line for photos with them and standing with local congregation members for photo opps. Ms. Harris pledged that her administration would work to alleviate student loan debt and protect abortion rights.
The campaign highlighted that under Obama and Biden, Black business ownership reached an all-time high, unemployment was at its lowest levels ever and black wealth rose dramatically faster than ever. They contrasted this against a potential Trump presidency which they warned could jeopardize Social Security, Medicare, policing laws and voting rights; activists said their message to South Carolina voters was to remind them they deserve first-in-the-nation status and hear from Democrats about how to achieve it.
Jim Clyburn
Democratic Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina works his way through a crowd of young activists gathered at a community center near Charleston. They listen as he discusses his vision for the next four years – such as combatting HIV epidemic, improving broadband services in rural areas and expanding renewable energy options – while Sounds of Blackness plays “Optimistic”.
He’s the same individual whose endorsement helped jump-start Joe Biden’s presidential bid, propelling him to win his primary and then secure his party’s nomination in South Carolina. Therefore, Harris using her time there to bolster Biden’s presidential hopes is of no concern to him.
Jaime Harrison
Democratic Party officials remain confident that Black voters in South Carolina will support Biden despite recent crises and dips in his poll numbers, although some donors such as one who pledged significant funds to Harrison have expressed surprise that she has had no direct contact with the White House or her administration.
Harrison grew up in Orangeburg and taught World Geography at his high school alma mater; as such, his focus has been on issues that matter to Black voters, such as access to affordable healthcare and decreasing student loan debt. Furthermore, Harrison has worked to rebuild infrastructure in rural areas while advocating for increased support of Black-owned businesses.
At any rate, Obama suggests that visits to South Carolina from time to time might re-energize fence-sitters and wait-and-see Democrats who might otherwise lean Republican or sit home. He acknowledges, however, that one presidential visit won’t make much difference for low-income communities across South Carolina.
Landrieu
Harris’ frequent trips to South Carolina – a state likely with no bearing on the overall election – serve two larger objectives. First, they help address Biden’s vulnerabilities with Black voters and younger voters; secondly, Harris secures her role as vice presidential candidate on the front lines for her next presidential campaign.
Harris offers hope to black voters, who overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama in 2016. Their fear is that another term of Donald Trump would regress progress made over decades – not years.
Harris is targeting them with policies from the Biden administration that speak directly to their concerns – forgiving student debt, investing in HBCUs, capping insulin prices and nominating Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court as examples of these efforts. She describes this nomination as being the “most historic decision ever presented before our nation,” something which resonates strongly among younger voters and women voters.
- Friday Intraday Trading Sees Nvidia’s stock Market Cap Momentarily Cross $2 Trillion
- Trump’s January 6 Civil Cases Proceed While Criminal Case Is Halted
- Trump Delivers Speech at the Columbia Black Conservative Federation Gala
- Trump Declares Strong Support for IVF Following Alabama Supreme Court Decision
- Schumer in Ukraine Declares US Backing During House Aid Standoff
