Minorites might not vote for Joe Biden: Twenty-five years ago, novelist Toni Morrison famously labeled Bill Clinton as “the first Black president,” a clever way to acknowledge his elevation of Black leaders and policies beneficial to Black communities.
However, the first ethnically Black president, Barack Obama, came later. Morrison’s statement is still remembered, pointing to Clinton’s groundbreaking work in promoting Black interests.
Applying a similar analogy, some are considering President Joe Biden as the nation’s third Black president, based on his dedication to elevating Black individuals and advancing policies that benefit them.
As Biden gears up for the 2024 campaign, there is a concern about mobilizing Black voters to the polls, prompting a $25 million investment in a radio advertising campaign aimed at boosting enthusiasm among Black and Latino voters, with the message, “Joe and Kamala are getting it done for us — and that’s the facts.”
Biden Struggling With Nonwhite Voters
In recent analysis by The New York Times, a close examination was conducted of last year’s and this year’s New York Times/Siena polls. The review aggregated responses from more than 1,500 nonwhite participants to these polls.
The findings reveal a notable shift in voter preferences, illustrating that Biden currently holds a 53 percent to 28 percent lead over Trump among registered nonwhite voters. This represents a marked decline from the robust 70 percent support Biden secured from voters of color in the 2020 election. These statistics, not unique to The New York Times, are consistent across various surveys, underscoring a concerning trend for the Democratic camp. This places the Democratic candidate in a considerably weaker position than observed in the preceding election cycles.
Williams Stresses Biden’s ‘Achievements’
In an opinion piece for The Hill, Juan Williams claimed President Joe Biden’s achievements extend to significant policy impacts that have helped African-Americans. Williams cited record-low Black unemployment rates, reduced costs of prescription drugs and hearing aids, increased creation of Black-owned small businesses, higher enrollment in government-sponsored health care plans, and a substantial reduction in Black child poverty.
Williams also claims strides toward representation are noteworthy, with three Black individuals currently serving in the Senate, including Senators Cory Booker and Tim Scott. In the House of Representatives, there are 58 Black members, with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries being the first Black person to serve as a top party leader in Congress.
Furthermore, Biden has made efforts to alleviate the burden of student loan debt, a matter that disproportionately affects low-income and Black students.
In the 2024 presidential race, it appears likely that the alternative will be Trump and a GOP that some perceive as being less aligned with Black interests, posing a significant choice for Black voters.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
