Biden returns to Philadelphia, this time to win back Black voters

Philadelphia CNN —

President Joe Biden launched a nationwide effort to mobilize Black voters during a campaign rally in Philadelphia on Wednesday, aiming to win back support from a slice of the electorate that polls show wavering in support.

Joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and a slate of Black elected officials, Biden boosted his achievements while also warning of what his campaign calls a “racist and toxic agenda” being peddled by his rival, former President Donald Trump.

He warned the threats posed by a second Trump term would be graver than the first time around, and said his rival was running a campaign of vengeance after losing in 2020.

“He’s running again and he’s clearly unhinged. He called insurrectionists patriots quote patriots,” Biden said. “If reelected, he wants to pardon every one of them. Let me ask you - what do you think he would’ve done on January 6 if Black Americans had stormed? Think about it - if Black Americans had stormed the Capitol? Don’t think he’d be talking about pardons.”

The launch of Black Voters for Biden-Harris, held at a majority-Black prep school in Philadelphia, was intended to revive another corner of the coalition that helped propel Biden to the White House in 2020. It’s his third stop for an event in the city this year; he held seven events in Philadelphia in 2023.

Biden didn’t mince his words in describing Trump’s record, saying he “is the same guy who wanted to tear gas you as you peacefully protested George Floyd’s murder. The same guy who still calls the Central Park five guilty, even though they’re exonerated.”

Biden’s aides say they aren’t taking Black voters for granted as surveys suggest an erosion of support, particularly among Black men.

“Listen, we