Staff Reports
A recent poll has indicated that Vice President Kamala Harris is leading former President Donald Trump among Black voters, but before the Democrats start celebrating with confetti, they should take a closer look at the numbers. Ms. Harris may have garnered the support of 78% of Black voters, but that represents a substantial drop compared to the over 90% that President Biden claimed during his victorious run against Trump in 2020. It seems that enthusiasm for the current administration is waning faster than a balloon at a deflated birthday party.
Despite the poll showing Ms. Harris well ahead of Trump in terms of percentages, the reality is that she is not reaching the same heights that her predecessor did just four short years ago. Rather than basking in the glow of unwavering support, she appears to be stuck in a tight race with Trump, which is about as comfortable as wearing a suit in sweltering July heat. The numbers reflect that while Harris is leading, the gap has narrowed to nearly statistical insignificance, as they are practically tied within the margin of error.
Harris leading Trump with Black votes, but support from previous election waning, poll showshttps://t.co/EqaiJzJ2Ae pic.twitter.com/ovhLrzkjrT
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 14, 2024
Even more perplexing is the gender gap in Harris’s support among Black voters. While Black women seem to be showing her some love at an 83% clip, Black men are a tougher crowd, with only 70% throwing their support her way. The tables turn with Trump, who sees a 20% backing from Black men, outpacing Harris’s 12% support among Black women. One can almost hear the Democrats collectively clutching their pearls as they realize that the perception of a woman in a leadership role isn’t quite the all-encompassing slam dunk they envisioned.
Adding fuel to this campaign fire was none other than former President Barack Obama, who attempted to rally more support for Harris during a recent campaign stop. His remarks to Black men reflect a concern that they’re not feeling the love for a female presidential candidate, as if they are somehow dodging the issue by considering other alternatives. It’s almost as if there’s a misguided assumption that being a man means you must support a man, which isn’t just an old-fashioned viewpoint—it’s downright ridiculous.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that of the 589 voters surveyed, a whopping 57% identified as Democrats versus a mere 7% leaning Republican, a number that indicates a pretty comfortable left-leaning bias. Yet, a significant 25% classified themselves as independents, suggesting that Harris faces more competition than just Trump, especially when you factor in her own party members who may not be convinced by her charm—or lack thereof.
In a nutshell, while Harris holds the advantage over Trump in the polling playbook, reality shows a struggle to capture the heart of Black voters as fervently as Biden did in the past. Whether it’s a question of gender dynamics, party loyalty, or simply a strong desire for fresh perspectives, the Democrats should prepare for a nail-biting race instead of a cakewalk come November.
