As the November election approaches, political experts indicate that Black voters in Georgia are unlikely to dramatically shift their support toward Republicans. However, Democrats, and particularly President Joe Biden’s campaign, cannot afford to become complacent.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that according to political expert Andra Gillespie, there is no significant evidence suggesting a realignment of Black voters from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. “We haven’t seen anything that right now indicates that we’re seeing a realignment of Black voters away from the Democratic Party toward the Republican Party,” she explained.
Despite this stable support, Gillespie emphasized that enthusiasm for Biden among Black voters has diminished. The critical factor, she noted, will be voter turnout. “Turnout should be a perpetual concern,” she said, highlighting that it’s not just about the percentage of Black votes Biden receives but whether Black voter turnout matches their proportion of the population.
Biden is expected to receive the majority of Black votes, but low turnout could jeopardize his success in battleground states like Georgia. “He’s going to get the lion’s share of the Black vote, but if turnout is anemic, it’s not going to be enough to help him out in battleground states,” Gillespie warned.
Young Black voters, in particular, want to see more engagement from Biden’s campaign in their communities. They are looking for attention to their issues, rather than the assumption that the Democratic Party will automatically receive their votes. Key issues include the Biden administration’s stance on international matters such as Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
Ernie Suggs, reporting on Biden’s commencement address at Morehouse College, noted that the college’s president, David A. Thomas, faced significant pressure from students who called for the invitation to Biden to be rescinded. Despite this, Thomas remained resolute. “He’s a very brash, confident man,” Suggs said of Thomas. “But this incident shook him” because the students “literally could have changed the course of this presidential election” with their protest plans.
Biden had to weigh the potential benefits of addressing the Black community against the risks of facing a protest. “The president needs Georgia and the president needs Black men,” Suggs emphasized. Biden had to consider the importance of speaking at Morehouse College, a symbol of Black male education, particularly when he is losing support among Black male voters.
Ultimately, Biden’s commencement address proceeded smoothly, with no disruptions. “The graduation went off without a hitch,” Suggs reported.