Democrats are becoming increasingly concerned about a possible drop in Black voter turnout for the 2024 presidential election, according to party insiders. The worries arise from a 10% decrease in Black voter turnout in the 2022 midterms compared to 2018, a more substantial decline than any other racial or ethnic group, as per a Washington Post analysis. The decline was particularly significant among younger and male Black voters in crucial states like Georgia, where Democrats aim to mobilize Black voter support for President Biden in 2024.
The Democratic party has acknowledged the need to bolster their outreach efforts to this demographic. W. Mondale Robinson, founder of the Black Male Voter Project, highlighted the need for Democrats to refocus their attention on Black male voters, who have shown lower levels of engagement. In response, Biden's team has pledged to communicate more effectively about the benefits that the Black community has reaped under Biden's administration, according to Cedric L. Richmond, a senior advisor at the Democratic National Committee.
However, Black voter advocates have identified deep-seated issues affecting Black voter turnout. Many Black men reportedly feel detached from the political process and uninspired by both parties' policies. Terrance Woodbury, CEO of HIT Strategies, a polling firm, suggests that the Democratic party's focus on countering Trump and Republican extremism doesn't motivate younger Black men as much as arguments focused on policy benefits. Concerns are growing within the party that if they fail to address these issues, disenchanted Black voters might either abstain or, potentially, be swayed by Republican messaging on certain key issues.
I'm not a Biden superfan either but I think people need to be aware of the reality. I have kids that don't feel like voting because "Biden does not excite them". While he doesn't excite me either, it's important to understand that not voting for Biden is essentially a step in the direction of the "other guy", which happens to me MUCH MUCH WORSE than Biden.
It's naive to think that you can go from a to z without going through b, c, d, etc... We don't vote for the ideal candidate, we vote for one that at least seems to be pointing in the right direction and has a chance to win.
Also remember that this whole "both sides are the same shit, so why vote" idea was spread around exactly to discourage people from voting. It's key to be mindful of that.
I'll say I have a considerably higher opinion of him now than I did in 2020. Then, I basically voted for a seat-filler, hold down the fort so the fascists aren't in power. Now, I'm fairly impressed.
But the fact remains that the man is 80. Sometimes he looks like a canny old man, and I kind of like canny old men, those old guys who are sharp as a tack with a wit to match. And sometimes he just looks elderly. I don't like the idea of the oldest president ever three times in a row. Frickin 80, he'll be 86 by the end of a second term. That's a problem. And while I don't have any problems with Harris, a lot of folks do.
My best hope is that he's saying he's running because it's politically weak if he doesn't. And if Trump is convicted of something before 2024, he'll bow out and there will be a democratic primary. Worst case scenario, I won't feel bad about voting for him again.
Well maybe a little - the man deserves a comfortable retirement.