“We have yet to see the same kinds of energy and turnout in all corners of our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running,”
Obama, 63, said at a “Black Voters for Harris” event in Pittsburgh, ahead of a rally for Harris.
“I also want to say that that seems to be more pronounced with the brothers,” he added, referring to black men.
“[Y]ou’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses,”
the former president said of the lack of enthusiasm for Harris’ candidacy from some black men. “I’ve got a problem with that.
“Part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that,” Obama claimed.
Obama argued that it is “not acceptable” for black men to support former President Donald Trump.
“And now, you’re thinking about sitting out or supporting somebody who has a history of denigrating you, because you think that’s a sign of strength, because that’s what being a man is? Putting women down? That’s not acceptable,” he said.