Democratic officials spent the final days of South Carolina primary campaign crisscrossing the state to engage Black voters, yet many appeared unenthused about participating.
This could indicate a drop-off in Black voter enthusiasm that is difficult to overcome in battleground states, though its causes could be multifaceted and nuanced.
Black Voters Are Dissatisfied
Joe Biden achieved success at courting Black voters in 2020 by earning 92% of their support; since then he’s spent much of his campaign traveling across South Carolina talking directly with them at churches and events he visited and reminding them about investments made under his administration in historically black colleges, healthcare services, rural communities and other programs that support Black populations.
But these efforts appear to be falling short. While many Black voters appreciate President Obama’s overtures on gun violence and discrimination, student debt, the environment and other topics, his razor thin majority in Congress leaves many feeling as though their concerns are often being disregarded and some feel he’s not fighting hard enough against voter suppression laws and gerrymandering – as evidenced by heavy sighs heard across church pews, nail salons and barbershops across America; Black Americans are unsatisfied with their government and they want change
Biden’s Policy
Many Black leaders and voters indicate they remain unaware of Biden’s policy accomplishments and disconnected from the Democratic Party, yet don’t see how any improvements in their lives are linked to his policies. This does not indicate any opposition against either, just that improvements don’t resonate as they should do for them personally.
Biden and his campaign team spent their final days of South Carolina campaigning traveling across the state in an attempt to reconnect with Black voters. At an event in Orangeburg, Vice President Harris listed numerous initiatives aimed at improving conditions for Blacks from debt forgiveness programs to broadband connectivity improvements as well as efforts by USDA past discrimination against Black farmers.
Biden remains dedicated to his state that helped secure his candidacy in 2020 and knows his vote is essential in winning the White House race, yet polls indicate he may have lost some momentum with Black voters. A recent NBC News poll found that only about 80 percent of Black Americans approve of the job Biden is doing compared to nearly 90 percent approval back in 2021.
reengaging Black voters
Democrats face an important challenge as they prepare for the 2024 presidential race: young Black voters’ diminished enthusiasm is an indicator that their party may not be engaging with nonwhite voters and that may explain why Democratic turnout numbers are low across the country.
One of Biden’s primary objectives in South Carolina for his reelection campaign is reengaging Black voters, where he has worked hard to form bonds within its Black community. Biden made sure to speak at Mother Emanuel AME Church where nine Black parishioners were shot and killed last September.
He has advocated for policies to assist those living with diabetes, such as legislation capping insulin prices. Kyshan Nichols-Smith, a senior at Morehouse College has found this legislation transformative; before its passage it often was too expensive for her.
South Carolina
Vice President Joe Biden’s reelection team is counting on South Carolina to help reinvigorate core Democratic constituencies. South Carolina was pivotal in saving his candidacy four years ago and will host the first official primary of 2024, prompting Biden’s team to focus heavily on it as it boasts one of his key endorsements from Representative James Clyburn – whom Biden relies upon heavily as part of his political support network.
But Biden’s 2020 win appears to have lost much of its initial enthusiasm. According to polls, Black voters are increasingly dissatisfied with his leadership and with how well the Democratic party is fulfilling their campaign promises relating to issues like voting rights protections or police and criminal justice reform.
Many young voters, in particular those under 50, remain uncertain whether a Biden presidency would work for them. Many can’t reconcile what their supporters consider one of the most successful presidencies ever with their economic benefits not having reached them directly from his administration’s large bills passed so far.
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