CNN anchor shocked after black voter says he can't guarantee he will vote for Biden - 11-02-2023
Episode Summary:
In Milwaukee, the black community's vote is pivotal for statewide elections, influencing the broader national political landscape. President Biden's last visit in August highlighted a green energy initiative, with infrastructure funds being used to rejuvenate industrial sites, a move seen as beneficial for black America. However, there's concern over the lack of mention of police accountability and criminal justice reform in early campaign ads targeting black voters. The black voter turnout, which soared during Obama's presidency, declined in 2016 and remained flat in 2020. When asked to grade Biden's impact, a voter gave a score of four, indicating dissatisfaction yet acknowledging the lack of better alternatives, with Trump being the likely opposition.
Joanna Brooks, a yoga studio owner, expresses the sentiment that black voters are often overlooked by the Democratic Party, yet she feels the urgency to support the party due to Republican stances on abortion and voting rights. Eric Jones, another local, is skeptical that the dislike for Trump will be enough to increase black voter turnout. He emphasizes the need for tangible opportunities and jobs to secure votes.
The mood in Milwaukee is tense, with many expressing disappointment in Biden's presidency. A young activist is unsure of his vote, reflecting a broader sense of disaffection among voters. The state's narrow vote margins in previous elections underscore the significance of every vote. There's a call for more visibility from Biden and Vice President Harris, with the community seeking acknowledgment and engagement.
The report concludes with a young black man's uncertainty about voting, a sentiment that captures the broader disillusionment with the current political offerings. This uncertainty is juxtaposed with the anticipation of the October jobs report and the ongoing humanitarian crises, such as the situation in Gaza, which also demand attention from the administration.
Key Takeaways:
- Milwaukee's black community is a decisive factor in elections.
- President Biden's impact on the community is perceived as minimal.
- There's a notable concern over the lack of focus on police reform.
- Voter turnout has not recovered since the Obama years.
- The community feels taken for granted by the Democratic Party.
- Visibility and engagement from Biden and Harris are strongly desired.
- The potential of Trump as an opponent may not be enough to motivate voters.
- The political mood in Milwaukee is one of disappointment and disaffection.
Predictions:
- If the current political climate persists, Biden may face significant challenges in the upcoming election.
- The black voter turnout in Milwaukee could be the deciding factor in the state's election results.
- The community's demand for engagement may lead to increased visibility efforts from Democratic leaders.
CNN anchor shocked after black voter says he can't guarantee he will vote for Biden - 11-02-2023
There's no way to win a statewide election that doesn't run through the black community. What happens in Milwaukee can impact the rest of the state, which ultimately can impact the rest of the country. No pressure. The President was last here in August for a green energy event, and this old industrial site is being cleaned up with Biden infrastructure money putting in the work for black America. But early spending on radio and TV ads targeting black voters is proof the campaign sees the problem.
Those ads don't mention one issue critical here. People are wondering, what is he doing in terms of police accountability and criminal justice reform? Lang also says the president better show up more. People always want to see people actually paying attention, and sometimes that means being able to physically be here and engage. Black.
Turnout soared here in the Obama years, but it dropped in 2016 and was flat in 2020. On a scale of one to ten, how would you grade the Joe Biden presidency in terms of its impact on your life and your community? A four. A four? Yeah.
And I love Joe DeVette. Baker, though, sees a reason for optimism. The alternative is the man whose name I try not to say. Well, I'll say it as we sit here today. The likely alternative is Donald Trump, right?
Would that be enough to motivate people, even if maybe they're a little on Biden? I think so. Joanna Brooks is one such voter. She owns a yoga studio just across the Milwaukee line in Glendale. All right, shaw like many we met in the city, brooks says black voters get taken for granted.
Black people in general, I think, tend to be pretty loyal to the Democratic Party. And sometimes I wonder, just based on how that party has performed thus far for people of color, if we should continue to be. But Brooks says that accountability exercise must wait until after 2024 because of constant Republican attacks on abortion rights and voting rights. I grew up almost certain that my rights were guaranteed. I took it for granted.
And now, as I sit and watch the work of so many black folks during the civil rights movement, so many women who fought for women's rights, when I see all of their work slowly being undone, that was a wake up call for me. For sure. You have to fight. Eric Jones is no Trump fan, but he thinks it's foolish to bet on Trump motivating black turnout. I get people saying they're not going to vote.
That's my fear that if they see those two and they're going to say, screw it, we're damned anyway. We met Jones at the fifth anniversary of the Bronzeville collective. Several local artists sell their goods here. It is a source of smiles and hope in a community often defined by poverty and a high incarceration rate. When the factories and the manufacturing left, jobs left.
When jobs leave and opportunities leave, then you have certain things that are domino effects, right. Jones says the president should stop by and learn a lesson. You bring opportunities, you bring jobs, you get votes, plain and simple. For the President, it is the mood a year from now that matters most. But the mood today is bleak.
If you're Joe Biden, then you want to be reelected. He'd have a problem today, right? Yes, he will. He'll have a big problem. Johnson's work could well help the president.
But listen, if it were just Biden and Trump, who would you vote for?
That's just a tough one. A young man who says the country needs big change, determined to boost Milwaukee's black turnout, yet not sure who gets his vote. And just stunning that young man there, I don't know who I'm going to vote for. A young black man in Milwaukee who's actually part of this activist community. Then you have the older black women answering the door say, yeah, people died for my right to vote, but I'm not sure I'm going to vote because I'm so disaffected and disenchanted and it matters.
There's a year to fix it. But remember, two times in a row, wisconsin alone, big battleground state decided by about 20,000 votes. So it doesn't take many people staying home or going the other way to flip the state. Do they recognize it's as big a problem as it is privately? Some of them do.
Others think, put Trump on the ballot and that's going to turn everybody out or the president will get out. There more. An interesting thing when you see Republicans beating up on the vice president all the time, people in that community were like, where are you? Please come. Please visit.
They're proud to have a black woman as the vice president. Part of it is the issues. People are in a funk from COVID in a funk from inflation. It's not all about Biden, but part of it is just visibility. They want to see him.
They want him to come and take their questions and they want to see her. But so far, not much. My jaw literally dropped the end of that piece when he didn't say who was going to. A 21 year old young black man in the activist community doesn't know because he looks at Washington and says, what are they doing that's relevant to my life? Nothing important work, important piece.
Really appreciate it, John. Thank you. The October jobs report will be released just about an hour from now. What it will show us about the state of the economy and President Biden facing mounting pressure at home to deal with humanitarian crises in Gaza. Now 13 Democrats in the Senate calling for a, quote, short term cessation of hostilities to allow for more aid.
Chris Murphy is one of those 13 senators key foreign policy voice. He's going to join us next.
Without a place for Mom, I don't know how I would have found the perfect senior care not just once, but twice. When mom needed help at home, our advisor helped us find the best home care. As Mom's care needs changed, our advisor understood what she needed once again guiding us to the perfect Senior Living community. I'm so grateful that Mom's in such a warm, welcoming place. For free senior Living advice go to a placeformom.com shopping online comes with digital threats.
So turn on NordVPN, steer clear of phishing websites and encrypt your online traffic. Get the deal now. Hi. It's Christina again. I'm here to tell you about an all new special offer from my friends at Jacuzzi Bathroom Model that you don't want to miss.
You already know. Jacuzzi has been making water feel great for more than 65 years. And now they're bringing you this special TV offer. We're waiving all installation costs and postponing all payments for one year. Jacuzzi Bathroom Model has a design you'll love at a price you can afford.
And best of all, they can install it in as little as one day with no stress and no mess. Are you ready to see your new shower? Here it is. It's fabulous. Taking a shower had gone from being a joy to being burden.
I was afraid I would fall. I called and just one day I had a shower I could feel safe in. No matter your situation, Jacuzzi Bathroomodel has a solution for you from a safer, easy entry shower with features like grab bars and a custom seat to keep you feeling comfortable and independent at home to.