Opinion: Black Voters Should Decide Whether Joe Biden Stays or Goes
During the 2020 presidential election cycle, it was the Black vote that catapulted then-candidate Joe Biden’s Democratic primary victory. With the influence of longtime congressman James E. Clyburn’s endorsement in South Carolina, Black voters ensured that Biden would be the Democratic Party’s nominee. With their steadfast support, Biden would run alongside Kamala Harris and help her make history as the first woman—and Black candidate—to become the nation’s vice president.
In 2024, Biden must once again rely on this very consequential base of voters to help salvage his campaign. Only this time, it’s no longer a primary up for grabs—but his own political party that’s fraught with questions of whether or not he’s mentally fit to lead for another four years. Everyone—from a growing coalition of Democratic elected officials to celebrity donors/supporters, such as superstar George Clooney and Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings—are asking Biden to step aside.
But so far, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and its supporters are standing firm on Biden as the party’s nominee—and essentially Black voters are as well.