Democrats worry Biden has a ‘huge problem’ losing black voters heading into 2024
Democrats Concerned About Declining Support from Black Voters
Democrats are growing increasingly worried that President Joe Biden may lose the support of a crucial voting bloc in the upcoming November elections. The Democratic Party has been losing favor with a growing number of black voters, and this decline in support could have dire consequences for Biden’s reelection campaign.
In the 2022 midterm elections, there was a noticeable decline in black voter turnout compared to previous midterms. For example, in precincts where black residents make up 70% or more of the population in Philadelphia, vote totals decreased by 20 points. According to an analysis of the Census Bureau’s turnout survey, black voter turnout dropped from 51.7% in 2018 to 42% in 2022. If this trend continues into 2024, especially in battleground states that Biden narrowly won in 2020, it could spell disaster for his reelection prospects.
Concerns and Poll Findings
“I am absolutely concerned. Frankly, I am extremely concerned,” expressed one elected Democrat to the Wall Street Journal. “This is a huge problem.”
A poll conducted by the New York Times and Siena College revealed that 22% of black voters in six crucial battleground states (Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin) stated they would vote for former President Donald Trump in the next election, while 71% would support Biden. This marks a significant increase for Trump, who received 8% of the black vote in 2020 and 6% in 2016, according to the Pew Research Center.
It’s worth noting that a Republican presidential candidate has not won more than 12% of the black vote in nearly 50 years, while no Democratic presidential candidate since the civil rights era has received less than 80% of the black vote. In 2020, 92% of black voters supported and propelled Biden to the nomination. However, Democratic allies and strategists are concerned that Biden’s reelection chances could be jeopardized if black voters continue to drift away from him.
“The risk is that people stay home,” warned Alicia Garza, an activist and founder of Black Futures Lab, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. ”I think the problem is black voters are consistently underinvested in.”
Lack of Incentives and Economic Challenges
Black voters are not being given much motivation to turn out for the election. Wage gains for black workers have cooled down significantly compared to other workers. In the third quarter, median weekly earnings for black people who work full time only rose by 4.2%, compared to a 10.3% gain the previous year. Overall wages increased by 4.5% last quarter, compared to a 6.9% increase in 2022.
The unemployment rate for black workers hit a record low of 4.7% in April, yet 80% of black voters in the New York Times/Siena College poll rated the current economic conditions as fair or poor. Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that inflation tends to have a greater impact on black communities due to a higher proportion of income being spent on transportation or housing.
Efforts to Address the Issue
To tackle these challenges, the Democratic National Committee and the Biden campaign have started early targeting of black and Latino populations, investing in voter registration, outreach, and advertising. Recently, the DNC made significant ad purchases in battleground cities with large black and Latino communities, including a $25 million investment in TV ads in Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Phoenix in August.
“This is earlier investment into these communities than [has] ever been done before,” stated Biden’s deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks.
Another approach to rally black voters is through Vice President Kamala Harris, the first black vice president. She has been visiting historically black colleges and other universities as part of her “Fight for Our Freedoms” cross-country college bus tour, as well as speaking at events for the NAACP and Alpha Kappa Alpha, a historically black sorority.
In response to questions about the “disconnect” between black voters and the accomplishments of the Biden administration, Harris dismissed them in October, saying, ”Why don’t you talk to me after 2024?”
How can the Democratic Party improve its communication and address the concerns of black voters regarding racial justice, criminal justice reform, and economic equality?
Out for the Democratic Party. Many feel that their concerns and issues are not being adequately addressed. This could be a result of the Democratic Party’s focus on appealing to a broader base of voters, which has led to a neglect of specific policies and initiatives that directly address the needs of the black community.
Economic challenges also play a significant role in declining support from black voters. While the Democratic Party has historically been viewed as more supportive of policies that benefit marginalized communities, such as increasing the minimum wage and expanding access to affordable healthcare, many black voters feel that these promises have not translated into tangible improvements in their lives. The wealth gap between black and white Americans continues to persist, and issues like job creation and economic opportunity remain pressing concerns for many black individuals and families.
Furthermore, some black voters may not see their interests aligned with the Democratic Party’s current priorities. The emphasis on issues such as climate change and LGBTQ+ rights, while important, may not resonate as strongly with black voters who are primarily focused on issues of racial justice, criminal justice reform, and economic equality. The party’s failure to effectively communicate and address these concerns may be a contributing factor to the declining support among black voters.
Engaging Black Voters
To regain the support of black voters, the Democratic Party needs to take concrete steps to engage and address their concerns. This includes creating policies that specifically target the economic challenges faced by the black community, such as targeted job creation programs, affordable housing initiatives, and entrepreneurship support.
Additionally, the party needs to invest in grassroots organizing and outreach efforts in black communities. This means building relationships with local black leaders and organizations, hosting town halls and community events to listen to and address concerns directly, and promoting voter education and registration drives to ensure that every eligible black voter has the tools and information they need to participate in the democratic process.
Moreover, the Democratic Party should prioritize diversifying its leadership and representation, both at the local and national levels. Black voters need to see themselves represented in positions of power and influence within the party, as this fosters a sense of trust and confidence that their voices will be heard and their issues will be taken seriously.
The Future of Black Voter Support
The declining support from black voters should serve as a wake-up call for the Democratic Party. This voting bloc has been a consistent and reliable base of support, and without their engagement and enthusiasm, the party’s electoral prospects are at risk.
Addressing the concerns and needs of black voters is not only a matter of electoral strategy but also a matter of justice and equality. The Democratic Party must demonstrate its commitment to racial justice and economic equality by actively engaging with black voters and implementing policies that uplift and empower marginalized communities.
As the November elections approach, the Democratic Party must redouble its efforts to connect with black voters, listen to their concerns, and work towards tangible solutions. Failure to do so may result in further erosion of support and potential electoral losses. Black voters deserve to have their voices heard and their issues addressed, and it is incumbent upon the Democratic Party to earn their trust and support.
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