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The New York Times: President Joe Biden, aiming to reconnect with Black voters, delivered a strong critique of former President Donald Trump during a visit to the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. This church was the site of a tragic hate crime in 2015. In his speech, Biden linked Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results to a long history of white supremacy in the United States. He equated Trump’s claims of a stolen election to historical falsehoods, like the romanticization of the Confederacy.
Biden also criticized Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, for her vague references to the causes of the Civil War, affirming that slavery was the primary cause. This visit to South Carolina, significant for Biden’s 2020 nomination, marked a part of his campaign efforts for the upcoming election. He recalled his participation in the funeral of the church’s pastor, Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who was among the victims of the 2015 shooting.
Despite Biden’s past support from Black voters, recent polls indicate a decline in this support, with some Black voters in battleground states expressing a preference for Trump. Biden’s campaign is focused on reinforcing support in these crucial areas. In response to Biden’s speech, Trump’s campaign accused Biden of damaging the African American community and misleading Black Americans.
Biden’s visit was also supported by Representative James E. Clyburn, whose endorsement was pivotal in the 2020 primaries. Clyburn highlighted Biden’s achievements, such as appointing Black women to federal positions, including Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Biden’s speech focused on the evils of white supremacy and the need for unity and progress, referencing the tragic events that occurred in the church he was addressing.
The president’s tour included meeting relatives of the 2015 shooting victims and visiting local community spots. His campaign emphasized Biden’s achievements for the Black community and the importance of conveying this to voters. The visit ended with Biden attending a wake in Dallas for former Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson before returning to Washington.
The entire article can be read at the link https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/08/us/politics/biden-campaign-south-carolina.html
