Former President Obama hit the campaign trail for Vice President Harris last week, and during a stop in Pittsburgh, he called out men within the party who have issues with the Democratic nominee.
“You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses; I’ve got a problem with that,” Obama said on Thursday. “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.”
The former president’s remarks were directed at the demographics that Harris is currently doing poorly with, including men as a whole and Black men.
“I’m sorry, gentlemen. I’ve noticed this, especially with some men who seem to think Trump’s behavior, the bullying and the putting people down is a sign of strength,” Obama said. “I am here to tell you that is not what real strength is and has never been.”
Still, Harris and Trump remain neck-and-neck as a whole, especially in battleground states that will inevitably decide the election.
Despite being far ahead of Trump with women, Harris is underperforming when it comes to Latino Men and Black men, two voting blocks that polled better for Hillary Clinton and Biden during this part of their campaign in 2016 and 2020.
So, to lay out the case for his candidate, Obama made sure to show the differences between her and Trump.
“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 said, adding in several of the policies she is campaigning on.
Meanwhile, he said Trump “has consistently shown disregard, not just for the communities, but for you as a person … And you are thinking about sitting out?”
The appearance from the former president, seen as the elder statesman in the party, comes as Democrats make a final push to the election, which is now almost three weeks away.
Obama is expected to travel to Arizona and Nevada this week as well, the Harris campaign shared on Friday.