Barack Obama did it his first appearance on the campaign trail of Kamala Harris on Thursday, speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania and an event for black voters, where he urged them to support the vice president.

Addressing specifically black voters, especially men, he commented on the fact that they seem unwilling to vote for Kamala Harris. According to an NAACP poll last September, more than a quarter of black men under the age of 50 say they will vote for Donald Trump.

“We have yet to see the same kinds of energy and turnout in all of our neighborhoods and communities that we saw when I was a candidate. Now, I also want to say that this seems to be more pronounced with siblings,” Obama said.

“You find all kinds of reasons and excuses. I have a problem with this. Part of it makes me think that, well, you’re just not feeling the idea of ​​having a woman as president and you’re thinking of other alternatives and reasons for it.”

Later in the evening at Fitzgerald Field House in Pittsburgh, the Democratic leader called on residents of the swing state to vote for Harris — and to vote for other Democratic candidates like Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey.

“We need a president who really cares about solving your problems and making your lives better, and that’s what Kamala Harris will do,” Obama said. “And to help her do that, she’s going to need a Senate full of serious public servants like Bob Casey.”

In Pittsburgh on Thursday, Obama acknowledged American voters’ frustration with inflation, Covid and other issues — while blasting Trump and praising Harris’ platform.

“This election is going to be tight because there are a lot of Americans still out there fighting,” Obama said. “I understand why people want to shake things up. I mean, I’m the hope, the change guy. So I understand that people feel disappointed. We can do better. What I can’t understand is why anyone would think that Donald Trump is going to shake things up in a good way for you,” Obama said.

Returning to the message he shared with black voters earlier in the day, Obama later added: “I’m sorry, gentlemen, I’ve noticed this, especially with some men who seem to think that Trump’s behavior of bullying and belittling people is a sign of strength. And I’m here to tell you: that’s not real power. It never was.

“Real strength is helping people who need it and standing up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves, that’s what we should want for our daughters and sons, and that’s what I want to see from a president of the United States.” .