PHILADELPHIA — A dyspeptic President Biden declared his opponent, former President Donald Trump, a racist Wednesday afternoon while kicking off his campaign to woo black voters — as polls show the prez’s support plummeting among the crucial bloc.
It was the president’s third trip to Philadelphia and sixth to Pennsylvania this year as his November rematch with Trump looms — and whose outcome that swing state’s voters will be critical in deciding.
Temple University student Lina Mayen was given the honor of introducing Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“My support for President Biden and Vice President Harris comes down to the fact that they’re fighting for people who look like me each and every day,” said Mayen, the daughter of Sudanese refugees. “They understand the power of the black vote.”
They certainly do: “I need you,” Biden frankly told the audience.
The running mates chose Girard College — a majority-minority boarding school that serves the children of single-parent families — to unveil a new campaign initiative: “Black Voters for Biden-Harris.”
On hand were Democratic leaders from around the country, including the Keystone State’s Sen. Bob Casey, facing re-election himself, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, a Philly pol running for auditor general.
The president repeatedly touted what he called his “promises made, promises kept,” such as expanding health-care access, attempting to hold police accountable for abuses and creating a diverse administration, including the “second black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”
(The first was a Republican, Colin Powell.)
Biden took sharp aim at Trump, trying to galvanize the mostly black audience.
“Because black Americans voted [in 2020], Kamala and I are president and vice president,” he said to cheers from attendees, who filled only half the designated area of the Girard College gymnasium.
The mix of students — some pretty young kids — teachers and families declined reporters’ questions, with one saying, “I can’t.”
Biden cited Trump’s record on racial issues, implying the latter is racist because he “won’t say Black Lives Matter” and pushed the “birther lie against Barack” Obama.
“He’s that landlord who denies housing applications because of the color of your skin,” the president insisted.
“This is the same guy who wanted to tear gas you as you peacefully protested George Floyd’s murder,” the president said — before asking the crowd what would have happened to Jan. 6 rioters had they been black.
“I’ll be damned if I’m going to let Donald Trump turn America into a place of anger, resentment and hate,” Biden said, his voice rising.
Harris struck a similar chord in her warmup speech for the president, crediting black Philadelphia voters with delivering the team’s 2020 victory.
Polls this year seem more skeptical of the president’s support among a group traditionally an important part of the Democratic base.
A recent Fox survey shows Biden up by 36 percentage points among likely black voters — a demographic he won by 79 points over Trump four years ago.
Harris also criticized Trump’s record on abortion, her frequent campaign theme.
“If he wins a second term, he’s gonna go even further,” the veep said, referring to Roe v. Wade’s overturn. “Who sits in the White House matters.”
She pumped up the crowd before her boss took the stage.
“As the people of Pennsylvania know, our president does not only know how to fight, he knows how to win,” she ended.
After their speeches, Biden, Harris and other leaders visited Philly small businesses before the prez departed for Wilmington, Del.
