Kamala Harris avoided directly answering a question about whether she agrees with former President Barack Obama’s widely criticized plea for black men to vote for her instead of Donald Trump.
Obama sparked outrage last week over controversial comments criticizing black men for not supporting his campaign because of their gender.
Reporters asked Harris about Obama’s comments on the campaign trail Wednesday, but she avoided controversy and acknowledged his support.
“First, let me say that I am very proud to have the support of former President Barack Obama,” she said.
“And I think the important point that I’ll make over and over again is that I don’t suppose I should block any demographic from voting.”
During a surprise campaign visit to Pittsburgh, Obama criticized “brothers” in the black community for their lack of enthusiasm for Harris.
Former President Barack Obama talks with Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House
“Part of it makes me think, and I’m speaking directly to men, part of it makes me think that, well, you just don’t fancy the idea of having a woman as president, and you can come up with other alternatives and other reasons for it,” said.
Obama’s comments drew criticism from some members of the black community, who said they were “condescending.”
Media reports have suggested that black male voters are a weak point for Harris, after Joe Biden won 80% in 2020, up from 82% for Hillary Clinton in 2015.
It has been reported that a quarter of young black people support Trump, which would bring down Harris even further.
Harris released her Opportunity Agenda for Black Men on Tuesday and was also asked about Obama’s comments during a town hall in Detroit with radio host Charlamagne tha’ God.
When asked if Obama’s comments “introduced” his plan to release a black economic agenda, Harris denied it.
‘Oh, no, no, no, no. …No, obviously not,’ he replied. “I’ve been doing this for quite some time, even before I ran for president.”
Charlamagne noted during the interview that Obama was “pointing the finger at black men” and suggested that white Republicans should do the same to white women and men for supporting Trump in past elections.
Former US President Barack Obama speaks with supporters at a campaign office in East Liberty, before a rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris, in Pittsburgh.
Former President Barack Obama laughs as he listens to a presentation at a campaign office in Pennsylvania.
Harris avoided controversy but highlighted her Republican support from people who worked with Republicans like John McCain, Mitt Romney and Liz Cheney.
‘I think what’s happening is that we’re all working to remind people what’s at stake. And that is very important,’ he said.
