Barack Obama made an appeal to Black Americans during a campaign stop in Pittsburgh on Thursday, urging them to show the same level of support for Kamala Harris as they did for him in his 2008 and 2012 elections.

Former President Barack Obama speaks during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Obama’s remarks came as he joined Pennsylvania Senator Robert P. Casey Jr. at a campaign event as part of Harris’s push ahead of the November election.

Speaking at a campaign office before heading to a rally, Obama addressed what he saw as a lack of enthusiasm for Harris, particularly among African Americans, compared to his own presidential runs.

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“We have not yet seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all corners of our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running,” Obama said.

He specifically called out Black men for their reluctance, saying, “That seems to be more pronounced with the brothers. So if you don’t mind—just for a second, I’ve got to speak to y’all.”

Obama highlighted Harris’s background, saying she shares the experiences of many in the Black community, having gone to college and understanding the struggles, pains, and joys that come with it.

He contrasted this with former President Donald Trump, whom he said has shown “disregard, not just for the communities, but for you as a person.”

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He challenged voters who were hesitant about supporting Harris, asking, “And you are thinking about sitting out?”

Obama suggested that some voters, particularly men, might be uncomfortable with the idea of a female president, and he urged them not to let that stop them from supporting Harris.

Reacting to Obama’s comments, Fox News host Jesse Watters said Obama’s remarks indicated that Harris’s campaign had “plateaued” in terms of popularity. Watters shared a clip of Obama’s Pittsburgh speech on his program Jesse Watters Primetime.

Other conservative voices were quick to react on social media.

Former DeKalb County, Georgia Executive Vernon Jones, who switched to the Republican Party in 2021, criticized Obama, accusing him of being dispatched by “White liberals” to persuade Black voters to support Harris. Jones wrote on X, “No thanks, BO—Blacks had enough of you and Kamala Harris.”

Conservative commentator Benny Arthur Johnson also criticized Obama’s remarks, calling them “sickening” and accusing the former president of engaging in divisive racial politics.

Kush Desai, a spokesman for Pennsylvania Team Trump, responded to Obama’s visit, saying that Democrats must be struggling if they are relying on Obama to rally support.

Desai also took a swipe at the former president, saying, “While it’ll probably be a slightly less unhinged affair than what other Kamala surrogates are doing, an Obama visit isn’t going to convince Pennsylvanians to vote for another four years of open borders, rising prices, and disaster at home and abroad.”

Obama is expected to continue campaigning for Harris in the coming days, with his next stop planned for Pennsylvania on Thursday, where he will join Kamala in an attempt to rally voters ahead of the November election.

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