Joe Biden’s presidential campaign is set to launch a program designed to organize grassroots support at historically black colleges and universities, focusing on electability as a key part of the pitch to students.
The new effort is meant to address a weakness in Biden’s otherwise strong support from African-American voters. While he has solid black support in key early states, national polls show younger African-American voters don’t share the enthusiasm for him and are more likely to support Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, which is part of a larger trend with the youth vote overall.
“Historically black colleges and universities built America’s black middle class, and Joe Biden knows that’s the backbone of our country,” a narrator says in the clip. And Biden’s allies believe African-American youth are particularly likely to be swayed toward him due to his connection to the community. Bottoms attributed Biden’s strength with black voters to what she described as the “authentic nature of his relationship with the African-American community.”
Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-La., a former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus who is a national co-chairman of Biden’s campaign, said the former vice president’s “numbers are so solid in the African-American community because of his entire body of work” and suggested that Obama’s willingness to partner with him was an endorsement of his prior record.
Along with highlighting his electability and connection to Obama, the Biden campaign hopes this new initiative will promote his policies for HBCUs directly to the schools’ student bodies. Historically black colleges and universities were established during segregation and served as key resources for African-Americans, particularly in the South, as they sought education. Many of the schools, which include a mixture of public and private institutions, developed a distinctive and iconic culture.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sanders raps Biden on Iraq vote in U.S. Democratic debate, Biden admits mistakeSenator Warren speaks on the women Democrat presidential candidates' voting records DemDebate MORE:
Read more »
Exclusive: Nevada poll shows Biden-Sanders showdown in a tightening Democratic raceAn exclusive Suffolk University/USA TODAY Network Poll of Nevada shows another early state where the race is tightening: A Biden-Sanders showdown?
Read more »
Exclusive: Nevada poll shows Biden-Sanders showdown in a tightening Democratic raceAn exclusive Suffolk University/USA TODAY Network Poll of Nevada shows another early state where the race is tightening: A Biden-Sanders showdown?
Read more »
Democrats trust Biden most on foreign policy as Iran tensions simmer, poll saysJoe Biden and Bernie Sanders have been stressing their foreign policy credentials as tensions with Iran rise ahead of the Iowa caucuses.
Read more »