U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris has unveiled tailored pledges targeting Black male voters ahead of the November election. This move comes in response to growing support for her rival, former President Donald Trump, among Black voters, who have traditionally been considered the Democratic "base." Additionally, Vice President Harris has agreed to interview not only with media outlets influential in the Black community but also with Fox News, one of the major U.S. media outlets known for its pro-Trump stance.
On the 14th (local time), Vice President Harris announced the "Opportunity Agenda for Black Men," which includes offering up to $20,000 (approximately 27 million KRW) in loan forgiveness to entrepreneurs in underdeveloped areas and easing access to the legal marijuana industry. This is a customized pledge aimed at securing the votes of Black male voters in the final stretch of the election.
Vice President Harris stated, "We will legalize marijuana nationwide and work with Congress to create laws that allow safe cultivation, distribution, and possession of marijuana, breaking down the unfair legal barriers that have oppressed Black men and other Americans." She also plans to enhance Black Americans' access to the cryptocurrency industry and launch health initiatives addressing diseases with relatively high incidence rates among Black men, such as sickle cell anemia.
This move is analyzed as a response to the unusual situation where support for Vice President Harris is weakening among Black voters, especially Black male voters, who have been a Democratic stronghold. According to a poll released on the 13th by The New York Times (NYT) and Siena College, 78% of Black voters support Vice President Harris, while 15% support Republican former President Donald Trump. This figure is significantly lower than the 90% support President Joe Biden, a Democrat, received from Black voters four years ago.
In particular, only 70% of Black male voters expressed support for Vice President Harris, compared to 85% for President Biden four years ago. The New York Times (NYT) reported, "As support for Vice President Harris weakens among Black men, the Democratic Party has become alert," adding, "The Harris campaign is under pressure to boost support among people of color, especially Black men, who are considered the Democratic base."
Alongside this, the Harris campaign has conducted a broad campaign targeting Black voters. In an interview with "The Shade Room," a platform popular in the Black community, she accused former President Trump of inciting racist behavior for decades. In battleground states like Michigan, ads targeting Black workers were also released. One ad featured a worker emphasizing that Vice President Harris, unlike former President Trump, "has fought for American workers." Vice President Harris is also scheduled to attend a town hall on the influential Black community radio show "The Breakfast Club" on the 15th. The Harris campaign explained, "Harris will continue to talk about what she plans to do for all Americans," noting that this includes feedback she directly received during conversations with Black male voters nationwide.
With about three weeks left until Election Day, Vice President Harris is also making moves to appeal to the "enemy camp." Fox News announced that Vice President Harris has agreed to an interview with the network, which was pre-recorded near Philadelphia and will be aired at 6 p.m. Eastern Time on the 16th. This marks Vice President Harris's first official interview with Fox News as a presidential candidate. Given Fox News's conservative leanings and its overt support for former President Trump, this interview is seen as an effort to reach some Republican voters and conservative-leaning voters who do not support former President Trump in the final stages of the election. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, also appeared twice on Fox News Sunday this month. The NYT noted, "Harris agreeing to appear on Fox News itself could raise perceptions that she is willing to face tough questions," adding, "It could be an opportunity for the Democratic candidate."
Meanwhile, Vice President Harris and former President Trump are both heading to the key battleground state of Pennsylvania on the same day. Vice President Harris will campaign in Erie County, Pennsylvania, while former President Trump will attend a town hall meeting focused on the economy in Oaks, a suburb of Philadelphia in the same state. With this year's election unfolding as a razor-thin race, Pennsylvania, which has the largest number of electoral votes (19) among battleground states, is considered the most critical battleground. Polls so far have shown a tight competition between the two candidates in this area, with a margin of about 1 to 2 percentage points.
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