Barack Obama has urged black men to back Kamala Harris in the US election, saying reports of low support for the vice president in the community are “not acceptable”.
Ahead of a campaign speech in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the former US president told staff and volunteers at a field office about his concerns in the November election.
“We have not seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all quarters of our neighbourhoods and communities as we saw when I was running,” Mr Obama said.
“Now, I also want to say that seems to be more pronounced with the brothers.”
He went on to suggest some men “just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president”, and added: “You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses. I’ve got a problem with that.”
He then said: “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? That’s not acceptable.”
A recent Howard University Initiative on Public Opinion poll of likely black voters in swing states showed 82% intend to vote for Ms Harris, while only 12% support Donald Trump.
The survey – carried out in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin – also found however that 21% of black men under 50 years old support the Republican nominee.
Of the same group, 72% backed Ms Harris and 7% either supported another candidate or were undecided.
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Later, during his speech at the University of Pittsburgh’s Fitzgerald Field House, the former president praised Ms Harris as “a leader who has spent her life fighting on behalf of people who need a voice and a chance”.
He also acknowledged financial worries for Americans, saying he understands “why people are looking to shake things up”, adding: “I am the hopey-changey guy. So I understand people feeling frustrated and feeling we can do better.
“What I cannot understand is why anybody would think that Donald Trump will shake things up in a way that is good for you, Pennsylvania.”
It comes a week after Mr Trump returned to Butler in Pennsylvania, where he survived an assassination attempt in July.
Discussing the shooting which killed firefighter Corey Comperatore, Mr Trump said the gunman “aimed to silence me and the MAGA movement”.
Joined by SpaceX chief Elon Musk, the former president also promised that the US will “reach Mars” before the end of his second term, should he be re-elected, and pledged “no men in women’s sports”.