Biden Underestimates How Much Black Americans Care About This Issue.

[elleng]

'Black voters will not only be a driving force in the 2024 elections; they will most likely be the driving force. Recent polls showed that roughly 20 percent of Black voters said they would probably vote for Donald Trump if the election were held today — the highest level of Black support for any Republican presidential candidate since the civil rights era. An additional 8 percent said they wouldn’t vote at all.

Democratic campaign officials are rightly worried, but there’s still time for President Biden to make up the ground he has lost. One way he could do it is by talking to Black America, especially young Black voters, about a sleeper issue: the climate crisis.

As an environment and climate researcher, I have found that despite the growing threat posed by climate change, politicians often seem to downplay the crisis when courting Black communities. Democratic strategists seem to see climate change as a key political issue only for white liberal elites and assume that other groups, like Black voters, are either unaware of or apathetic about it.

In reality, Black Americans are growing increasingly concerned about climate change.'>>>

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/25/opinion/biden-black-americans-climate-change.html

Thoughts?

[dflprincess]

1. If they're concerned about climate change, why would they vote for any Republican?

especially Trump?

[elleng]

2. *politicians often seem to downplay the crisis when courting Black communities.

Democratic strategists seem to see climate change as a key political issue only for white liberal elites and assume that other groups, like Black voters, are either unaware of or apathetic about it.'

NO REASON why they would. Why would politicians often seem to downplay the crisis when courting Black communities.???

[womanofthehills]

22. I recently read that the NYT poll said Black voters

Were upset that so much money was going for wars and not to help poorer black communities.

Some said, the Dems only come around during election time.

[elleng]

25. No U.S. money going for wars, I think; 'just' old, used supplies.

(I may be mistaken.)

And of course Dems are always around, it's repugs who 'only come around during election time.'

[Walleye]

32. Do they think if we weren't helping Ukraine Republicans would return the tax money to them in benefits?

truly delusional. Also a Russian talking point

[ananda]

16. Exactly Republicans got pus into this mess!

sheesh

[JohnSJ]

3. If they are concerned about climate change, does it make sense that 20% would vote for trump

I say BS to The NY Times pollster, but we will see in November, and if it the final votes do not correlate with their polling, I hope they are called out

[elleng]

4. I don't think we can afford to wait for November.

[JohnSJ]

8. Wait for what? Trump met with oil executives in Texas and received 50 million

dollars in a one time donation with promises to them if elected he would give them carte Blanche

My point being if they don’t see the obvious differences, then either the polling is messed up, or they are.

Frankly I don’t believe the polling numbers.

The President and VP have been reaching out to African Americans, Women, etc. with what they have done, and what they will do, and what trump and the republicans will do.

[NoRethugFriends]

5. if you believe this I have a bridge I'd like to sell you

[brooklynite]

6. This is an Op-Ed from a University professor who (not surprisingly) focuses on environmental issues.

A counter-argument is that working class Black voters are struggling with inflation and the cost of living, and respond to economic messages.

[elleng]

7. I don't know that that would be COUNTER argument, but maybe 'additional,'

and not explicable.

[magicarpet]

9. trDUMP is making serious inroads with young male Black and Hispanic voters.

djt is nibbling away at Biden's percentages of these voting blocks.

It is young males who love them some alpha male macho tough guy figure in their corner. This age group is very susceptible to peer pressure and team trDUMP is out to capture this voting block for 2024. They are making serious inroads to what was once dependable Dem voters.

[Ontheboundry]

10. This here

And they are not being shy about their support. I was in a buffalo wild wings a month ago, and a table of four young black men were near us. Three had Trump gear on. I was a little shocked tbh

[Cosmocat]

12. I can absolutely see that ... only saving grace

Is these types are the least reliable voters.

[elleng]

14. 'alpha male macho tough guy figure' susceptible

Well, that might explain it a bit. TMP can have them.

[JI7]

11. Most of the black support for Trump has to do with anti immigration

feelings among some black voters. That makes sense since Trump is anti immigration.

But black voters that are concerned climate change are not supporting Trump because that makes no sense

[betsuni]

20. Supporting Trump because of concern about climate change makes absolutely no sense.

[womanofthehills]

23. In polls - money for war but not for helping black communities

Billions going to Ukraine & Israel could go into housing & help in black communities.

[JI7]

24. The OP is about black and latino support for Trump

why would those you describe support Trump ?

[Walleye]

33. Because they think the Republicans are eager to return the tax money to the Black community? Come on

[betsuni]

34. +1

[doc03]

13. Every election I hear the same thing about losing black voters, young voters, Latino voters

and suburban voters.

[Tarheel_Dem]

15. BS

[SoFlaBro]

26. 20% black support for that MAGA motherfucker is absolute unbleached hog shit.

[Tarheel_Dem]

27. Precisely.

[Demovictory9]

17. Kick

[tulipsandroses]

18. I'm calling bullshit on this. I will believe it when I see it.

Some people may be less inclined to vote, but this 20% is nowhere near the truth. I think Trump and his minions are hyping this up.

[B.See]

31. EXACTLY.

[betsuni]

19. Democratic strategists sent out a memo: only mention climate change to white elites, otherwise, mum's the word?

They "downplay the crisis"? So if a white person asks about climate change at an event the Democrats talk about policy and make all the "other members" cover their ears, and if the other members ask about it they tell them, "What climate crisis? So it's a little hot lately. Don't worry."?

Another article accusing Democrats of being big out-of-touch elite dummies ignoring things who need to be scolded and told what to do.

Fine. Let Republicans win. Then there will be endless angry articles scolding Democrats for not stopping Republicans.

[appmanga]

21. I've been black for a fairly long time...

...and talk to a lot of black people. Yes, black people are concerned about climate change, as is anyone with good sense, but is it a major voting issue? In my world, no. As it is for most people, the economy is a major issue, but the Biden team could do themselves a huge favor by talking about the continuing attempts at voter suppression and who kept the George Floyd bill from becoming law. The George Floyd bill was a huge concern and expectation and a lot of people have no idea what happened to it. Many people think it was just something that was talked about but never attempted. I don't know why the Biden campaign doesn't talk about this, but they should because this was not their failure.

[elleng]

29. Thank you VERY much.

[B.See]

30. Well... right wing news sources and talking points aside (ahem),

I've been Black for a long time too. And the kind of climate WE are most concerned about is the climate of pollutants in the water, in the soil, and in the air caused by the deliberate placement of hazardous industry near minority neighborhoods and population centers, which incidentally, MAGAS fight to maintain when these communities go to court and TRY to sue for changes.

And the climate of systemic racism when it comes to other environmental factors in minority communities via underfunding and mismanagement in areas such as water quality, the location of waste disposal sites, and the like.

We are also concerned about the 'climate' as it regards policing practices in America, while Trump and his MAGAS are running about passing laws giving police immunity from consequences even for the most egregious of acts, efforts on their part to limit, even criminalize the right to protest,

attempts to limit or impede the filming of police, and efforts by Trump and his MAGAs to expand stop and frisk laws across the nation.

Or how about the 'climate' of animosity, outward expressions of hate, assault, confrontations and the like, directed at minorities going about their own business, on their own properties, and in their own spaces -

assaults and racist name calling directed even at children, in school and while at play - all brought about by the hateful, bigoted rhetoric and ideology promoted by Trump and his fascist CULT.

THE roling back of voting rights for minorites, the removal of voting districts representing Black communities, the REICH winged assault upon diversity and inclusion, Black studies, the deliberate MARGINALIZATION of an entire people

And that's just for STARTERS.

THOSE are the changes in our climate' that many Black people are most concerned about, thanky very much.

[stonecutter357]

28. LoL !

[Doodley]

35. Yes, Biden needs to talk more about climate change and contrasting what he is doing with Trump.

That could engage more young people, black or white. What is there to argue about?

[Scrivener7]

36. This whole premise is just bonkers.

[Fla Dem]

37. Would like to see the breakdown between female and male Black voters.

Unfortunately access to the Times "opinion " piece is blocked. There is also an element of MACHO attraction. Some males see Trump as a "Macho Man" sexist going up against as an old man. Doesn't fit with their view of a leader.

[B.See]

38. Well, if young Black and Latino males

don't mind living under a fascist dictatorship in which they'll always be subject to stop and frisk's by Trump's gestapo police because they LOOK like an undocumented immigrant, or LOOK like they're somewhere they don't belong or driving what they "shouldn't be driving" then have at it. It'll be the world THEY'LL have to live in.

[tritsofme]

39. Incredibly stupid premise. This guy is projecting the issue that is most important to him onto black voters.

Black voters have varying concerns just like all members of our coalition.

If a poll shows Trump getting 20% of the black vote, it’s a good indication that there was something seriously wrong with that poll, that is a ridiculously unrealistic number. Biden would be on track to lose 49 states, and that is clearly not the case.

[shrike3]

40. I call bs on climate change motivating black voters to vote for trump.

Given he's the "drill-drill" guy.