Former President Barack Obama explicitly addressed American men and criticized Trump’s behavior while campaigning for Kamala Harris at Thursday’s rally in Pittsburgh, NBC News reported.
During his speech, Obama said he had noticed some men supposedly thought Trump’s occasional posture was an embodiment of strength. He, however, said that was not the case.
“I’m sorry, gentlemen, I’ve noticed this especially with some men who seem to think some of Trump’s behavior — the bullying and the putting people down — is a sign of strength. And I am here to tell you: That is not what real strength is. It never has been,” Obama said before the Democratic crowd responded with applause.
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“Real strength is about working hard. And carrying a heavy load is about complaining. Real strength is about taking responsibility for your actions and telling the truth even when it’s inconvenient,” the 63-year-old continued.
“Real strength is about helping people who need it and standing up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves. That is what we should want for our daughters and our sons, and that is what I want to see in a president of the United States of America.”
Obama also touched on the “character” and “values” a president should possess, saying that Harris and her running mate Tim Walz have those qualities.
Harris appears to be lagging in winning over male voters, though this is not the same as the female populace, an election survey cited by NBC News said. Some Democratic strategists have also expressed fear over a portion of young men, Latino men, and Black men opting not to vote for them.
A source familiar with Obama’s plans told the news outlet that the former president aims to target African-American men as the election nears. “They are definitely a targeted constituency for him for the next 26 days,” the source said.
Obama also addressed volunteers before the rally commenced, telling them that the enthusiasm and support he received when he was running for president was not the same for Harris.
“We have not seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all quarters of our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running. Now, I also want to say that that seems to be more pronounced with the brothers,” he said, per a pool report.
“Part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that,” he added. “You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses. I’ve got a problem with that.”
Obama urged them to “speak to people on the sidelines” and avoid the thought of “sitting out or supporting somebody who has a history of denigrating you because you think that’s a sign of strength.”
“Because that’s what being a man is? Putting women down?” Obama said. “That’s not acceptable.”
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