Biden and Harris Scramble to Shore Up Black Voter Support Amid Declining Approval Ratings

In a bold attempt to rejuvenate their waning support among Black voters, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are launching an extensive outreach campaign. This initiative comes as the administration grapples with slipping approval ratings within this crucial demographic, a cornerstone of their 2020 electoral victory.

The reelection campaign kicks off in Pennsylvania, a pivotal battleground state. Biden and Harris will visit Girard College, an independent boarding school in Philadelphia renowned for its predominantly Black student body. Following this, they will engage with local entrepreneurs at the Black Chamber of Commerce, underscoring their commitment to economic issues affecting Black communities.

This outreach effort is more than a fleeting engagement. The Biden-Harris campaign has committed to an ambitious, eight-figure initiative that will unfold throughout the summer. The strategy focuses on connecting with Black student organizations, community groups, and faith centers—institutions that traditionally play vital roles in mobilizing Black voters.

Quentin Fulks, Biden’s principal deputy campaign manager, articulated the campaign’s approach: “We will continue to be aggressive, innovative, and thorough in our work to earn the support of the very voters who sent Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the White House in 2020 and will do so again in 2024.”

The urgency of this new campaign is underscored by troubling data. Biden's approval rating among Black adults has plummeted from an overwhelming 94% at the beginning of his term to a meager 55%, according to a March poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. This steep decline signals significant dissatisfaction within a demographic that was instrumental to the Biden-Harris 2020 victory.

The causes of this discontent are manifold. Despite promises of substantial progress on racial justice, economic equity, and police reform, many Black Americans feel that the Biden administration's actions have fallen short of their expectations. For many, the gap between rhetoric and reality has been a source of growing frustration.

The new outreach initiative, while extensive, raises questions about its effectiveness and timing. Critics argue that this last-minute push may be too little, too late. The administration’s record on delivering tangible benefits to Black communities will be scrutinized heavily, and platitudes will no longer suffice.

Moreover, some conservative voices suggest that this outreach effort is a transparent ploy to regain lost ground rather than a genuine attempt to address the deep-rooted issues facing Black Americans. They point to the administration's inconsistent track record on key issues like criminal justice reform and economic opportunity as evidence that the Biden-Harris ticket may struggle to convince skeptical voters.

Economic issues are particularly salient. While the administration touts job growth and a recovering economy, many Black Americans continue to face disproportionately high unemployment rates and lower wage growth compared to their white counterparts. Small businesses, especially those owned by Black entrepreneurs, have been hit hard by the economic turbulence of the past few years, and many feel that government relief efforts have not adequately reached them.

The Biden administration's economic policies, from the perspective of many Black voters, have not sufficiently addressed these disparities. While initiatives like the American Rescue Plan provided short-term relief, long-term solutions to systemic economic inequities are still lacking. This reality casts a shadow over the administration’s claims of economic progress.

Education is another critical area where the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts will be judged. Visiting Girard College signals an awareness of the importance of educational opportunities, but substantial investment in Black educational institutions and equitable access to quality education remain pressing issues.

Community engagement will be crucial for the administration to rebuild trust. Faith leaders and community organizations wield significant influence and can mobilize voters if they are genuinely convinced of the administration's commitment to their causes. However, superficial engagements without follow-through are likely to be met with skepticism and could further alienate an already disillusioned voter base.

As Biden and Harris embark on their summerlong outreach effort, they face a challenging road. Winning back the trust and support of Black voters will require more than just high-profile visits and rhetoric. It demands concrete actions and policies that address the systemic issues at the heart of Black Americans’ concerns.

The upcoming months will be a litmus test for the administration’s ability to connect with and deliver for Black communities. The success of this outreach effort could very well determine the outcome of the 2024 election. Failure to effectively address the grievances and needs of Black voters could result in a significant erosion of support, jeopardizing the re-election bid.