Pollster Suggests Treating Black Americans as ‘Swing Voters’ Amid Biden’s Challenges

According to a Democratic Party pollster, if Democrats are serious about helping President Biden win his 2024 re-election bid, they should treat Black voters like “swing voters.” A Semafor article shared the conclusion from a Democratic Party polling memo, stating that while Black voters are overwhelmingly Democratic, their priorities and issue awareness are much closer to swing voters.

The article highlighted that the majority of Black voters want the president to address issues such as bringing down prices and raising wages, which aligns with the White House’s messaging. However, a significant percentage (between 35% and 40%) of Black voters are unaware of Biden’s policies aimed at reducing drug prices and eliminating junk fees, despite their widespread popularity.

Blueprint strategist Evan Roth Smith suggested that targeted ad campaigns aren’t necessary, emphasizing the importance of discussing these issues widely and loudly. Smith proposed putting the president in front of a pharmaceutical company headquarters to address bringing down prices.

As Biden faces challenges and declining support, some Democratic strategists are expressing concerns about his ability to win the 2024 presidential election. Recent polls, including one from The Wall Street Journal, indicate significant gains among Black and Latino voters for the GOP.

In the 2018 midterm elections, GOP candidates received only 8% support from Black voters, a trend that continued in 2020. However, the latest data shows that 17% of Black voters now express support for Republicans. Democrats’ lead among Latinos has also narrowed to just 5 points.

A New York Times/Siena College poll raised further alarms for Democrats, revealing unprecedented support for former President Trump among Black voters in battleground states won by Biden in 2020. Black voters in these states now register 22% support for Trump, a significant increase from the 8% recorded in 2020.

Some Black voters in Philadelphia expressed frustration with Biden’s handling of the economy and indicated they wouldn’t be voting for him again, citing perceptions of him as a weak and unchanged leader.