January 11, 2024
Biden Continues Campaign Tour At Emanuel AME Church With Hopes Of Keeping Black Voter Support Alive
What is it going to take for Biden to have Black support in 2024?
Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, was standing room only as President Joe Biden stopped by to address his 2024 presidential campaign and topics concerning Black voters, NBC News reported.
Standing in the pulpit at the site where nine worshippers were killed by a white supremacist in 2015, Biden started by highlighting the trauma Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss experienced in Georgia, calling them “two brave Black women,” before criticizing Donald Trump and Nikki Haley’s viewpoints on the Civil War. He called Trump a “loser” and set the record straight on what the 1861 war was all about. “Let me be clear for those who don’t seem to know — slavery was the cause of the Civil War,” Biden said. “There’s no negotiation about that.”
The number of Black voters supporting the President is slipping. In 2020, Biden had 92% support of Black voters in 2020, but now, 20% have admitted to being open to voting for Trump.
The lack of support shows regarding foreign policy. A little over 30% of all voters approve of Biden’s handling of foreign policy, down eight points from September 2023. Half of Democrats approve of Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, compared to 59% of independents and 69% of Republicans who disapprove.
Biden’s speech at Emanuel was interrupted by protesters chanting, “Ceasefire now.” Biden supporters quickly shut it down with chants of “four more years.” He acknowledged the protestors as they were escorted out, giving a brief update on where his administration stands on the issue. “I understand their passion,” Biden said, according to Politico. “I’ve been quietly working with the Israeli government to get them to reduce and significantly get out of Gaza.”
The leadership of the Black community was grateful for Biden’s appearance. State Rep. JA Moore, whose sister was a victim at Emanuel, said it was necessary.
“I think it’s important for him to come,” Moore said. “We’re at a very critical moment after what Donald Trump has stoked.” Rep. James Clyburn had similar sentiments but was still very concerned with the lack of support from Black voters.
“I have no problem with the Biden administration and what it has done,” Clyburn said. “My problem is that we have not been able to break through that MAGA wall in order to get to people exactly what this president has done.”
Supporters like Nashonda Hunter, 41, said she is still on Biden’s side but is disappointed in his administration, saying there are “a lot of broken promises.”