Barack Obama Urges Black Male Voters to Step Up for Kamala Harris in Rousing Speech

Barack Obama gave an impassioned speech last night at the University of Pittsburgh in support of Kamala Harris‘ campaign for president. In the speech, Obama affirmed that the impending election “is going to be tight because there are a lot of Americans who are still struggling out there.”

However, he added, “It’s not just about policies that are on the ballot. It is about values.” The former president, who endorsed Harris after president Joe Biden dropped out of the race earlier this summer, used the speech to denounce Republican candidate Donald Trump as a selfish politician who only cares about “his ego and his money and his status.”

“If you had a family member who acted like [Trump], you might still love them, but you’d tell ‘em, ‘You got a problem,’ and you wouldn’t put him in charge of anything,” Obama said. “And yet, when Donald Trump lies or cheats, or shows utter disregard for our Constitution, when he calls POWs ‘losers’ or fellow citizens ‘vermin,’ people make excuses for it.”

Obama used the speech as an opportunity to bluntly tell Black male voters to pick Harris. “My understanding, based on reports I’m getting from campaigns and communities, is that we have not yet seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all quarters of our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running,” he said, adding the lack of enthusiasm for Harris “seems to be more pronounced with the brothers.”

“You’re thinking about sitting out or supporting somebody who has a history of denigrating you, because you think that’s a sign of strength, because that’s what being a man is? Putting women down?” Obama said. “That’s not acceptable. You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses, I’ve got a problem with that. Because part of it makes me think – and I’m speaking to men directly – part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that.”

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Obama acknowledged that the “women in our lives have been getting our backs this entire time.” He said, “When we get in trouble and the system isn’t working for us, they’re the ones out there marching and protesting.”

“On the one hand, you have somebody who grew up like you, knows you, went to college with you, understands the struggles and pain and joy that comes from those experiences,” Obama told the crowd. “And on the other side, you have someone who has consistently shown disregard, not just for the communities, but for you as a person.”

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During the lengthy speech, Obama underscored his point that voters should select Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as America’s new leaders. “Whether this election is making you feel excited or scared, or hopeful or frustrated, or anything in between, do not just sit back and hope for the best,” Obama said. “Get off your couch and vote. Put down your phone and vote. Grab your friends and family and vote. Vote for Kamala Harris.”

Obama previously spoke in support of Harris at the Democratic National Convention in August. “We do not need four more years of bluster and bumbling and chaos,” Obama said of Trump. “We have seen that movie before, and we all know that the sequel is usually worse. America is ready for a new chapter, a better story. We are ready for President Kamala Harris.”