President Joe Biden recently gave a commencement speech at Morehouse College, where he addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza and highlighted his investments in Black communities. This speech is part of a larger effort by the Biden administration to reinvigorate the voter coalition that helped elect him in 2020. Biden emphasized the importance of connecting Black neighborhoods that have been historically marginalized and neglected due to disinvestment and outdated infrastructure.
During his address at Morehouse College, Biden mentioned several policy victories, such as his student loan relief program and a new $16 billion investment in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). These initiatives are designed to rally support from Black voters, especially young ones, whose enthusiasm for the president has shown signs of weakening according to recent polls. Biden’s support among Black voters has decreased by 7 percentage points compared to the same period in 2020, while former President Donald Trump has seen an increase of 9 percentage points. However, Biden still maintains the majority of support among Black voters, with 69% backing him compared to Trump’s 18%.
One of the factors contributing to Biden’s weakening support among young Black voters is the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has sparked tensions and protests on college campuses across the country. Biden acknowledged the heartbreaking situation in Gaza during his speech at Morehouse College and called for an immediate cease-fire. He reassured the audience that their voices are being heard and promised to take action to address the crisis.
The commencement speech at Morehouse College is just one part of Biden’s broader strategy to reconnect with the Black voter coalition. In addition to the speech, Biden held a campaign event with Georgia voters and planned to meet with small-business owners in Detroit. He was also scheduled to deliver remarks to the NAACP as part of a campaign memo obtained by NBC News. The administration is making a concerted effort to showcase Biden’s effectiveness in addressing the needs of Black communities through various initiatives and policy proposals.
Vice President Kamala Harris has been actively engaging with Black voters throughout Biden’s first term, most recently embarking on an “Economic Opportunity Tour” to highlight the administration’s efforts to promote economic freedom and lower costs for underserved groups, particularly Black communities. Treasury Undersecretary Wally Adeyemo has been traveling to battleground states to emphasize Biden’s economic agenda and progress in areas such as energy and child care costs. Adeyemo recently highlighted that the number of Black small businesses has doubled during the Biden-Harris administration, showcasing the positive impact of their policies on minority-owned businesses.
President Biden’s recent address at Morehouse College and his broader efforts to reconnect with Black voters illustrate the administration’s commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of marginalized communities. Through policy initiatives, outreach strategies, and campaign events, Biden is striving to regain the momentum that propelled him to the White House in 2020, with a particular focus on engaging with young Black voters and ensuring that their voices are heard and represented in his administration’s policies and actions.
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