Obama’s Admonishing Tone to Black Men Presents a Risk for Democrats

The New York Times ^ | Oct. 11, 2024, 6:08 p.m. ET | By Erica L. Green and Zolan Kanno-Youngs

[E. Pluribus Unum]

When former President Barack Obama admonished some Black men who he said were not “feeling the idea of having a woman as president,” some Democrats saw it as an urgent, necessary call to action to voters who are desperately needed to push Vice President Kamala Harris to victory.

For others, Mr. Obama’s tone threatened to scapegoat some of the Democratic Party’s most reliable supporters, alienating voters who may have grown disillusioned but are still persuadable.

For Mr. Obama, it was a remarkable, if calculated, risk.

As he spoke on Thursday to a room of overwhelmingly Black supporters in a campaign field office in Pittsburgh, the former president quickly acknowledged that he was about to make people uncomfortable with some “truths.”

He recalled the excitement Black voters showed for his 2008 candidacy, which was integral to propelling him into history as the first Black president. He went on to say in blunt terms that he could not understand why Ms. Harris was not drawing the same level of enthusiasm — and that the hesitation was “more pronounced with the brothers.”

“You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses,” Mr. Obama said. “I’ve got a problem with that.”

[Mark]

I’m not sure. I thought everyone could click the link. No subscriptions, etc.

[Night Hides Not]

Easy to talk smack when you have a Secret Service detail protecting you.

[McGavin999]

He is so great. I hope he makes it

[MayflowerMadam]

And that Punahou School he went to ... very high falutin’ and expensive.

I think the “brothers” are fully aware that he isn’t one of them, so pay very little attention to him being scoldy.

[Recompennation]

Impertinent irrelevance that’s our man puff the magic negro.
I miss Rush.

[Clutch Martin]

“Obama’s Admonishing Tone to Black Men Presents a Risk for Democrats”

Well after all....
“I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.”
- Joey Biden

[philman_36]

Obama rips Trump, chides Black men over 'excuses' for not voting for Harris (ABC) 1:11 ...went to college with you...

He doesn't realize that many of the "brothuhs" he's talking to didn't go to college?

That was the epitome of cluelessness.

[T.B. Yoits]

The teleprompter script writer added “(use admonishing tone)” for Obama.

[workerbee]

Big House sent Obama to get the field hands back in line.

Crude as that sounds -- you're exactly right. Let's hope American black men understand that, and vote accordingly (TRUMP!).

[Yardstick]

Nailed it.

Meanwhile Trump has true appreciation for the average Joe, whether white or black.

[Enterprise]

"Big House sent Obama to get the field hands back in line."

Just another case of the man keepin' 'em down.

[maddog55]

So a mulatto is pissed black people won’t vote for a half breed of India heritage.

I’m guessing a beer summit is needed.

[clearcarbon]

"'You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses,' Mr. Obama said. 'I’ve got a problem with that.'”

A white republican freed the slaves. A black democrat slaved the free.

[Maris Crane]

Well we had some great empirical data to prove that your votes were triggered by ...OOOOO, the First Black President.

AND HOW DID THAT WORK OUT FOR US.

YOU WANTED TO RIP UP OUR CONSTITUTION SO BADLY, THAT YOU COULD NOT THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE.

There is something else...HARD WORKING AMERICANS WHO LOVE THEIR COUNTRY.

[minnesota_bound]

obama to black people: Vote for a Indian or you are not black like me.

obama is half white but never mentions it.

[1066AD]

His speech was the same divisive crap that started a lot of the current issues.
Other than that I thought he looked almost gaunt.

[Ann Archy]

Barry sounded THREATENING to these Black men!!! Does he OWN THEM???

[abb]

The news here is that this was published in the NY Times at all.

[combat_boots]

.@BarackObama should be ashamed for berating, rebuking and scolding Black men, because they won’t vote for Madam Lock Up A Brother…@KamalaHarris. As if we are too stupid to vote our interest and what best for ourselves and our families.

BO, you owe every Black man in America… pic.twitter.com/2WXvqpPcTp— Vernon Jones (@VernonForGA) October 11, 2024

[bert]

The party owns them Barry was merely manager of the Plantation.