Barack Obama spoke at a Pennsylvania rally and an event for Black voters on Thursday, his first public appearance as a Kamala Harris campaign supporter. He urged men in particular to back the vice president.

Obama questioned Black men's reluctance to support Harris during an event at one of her campaign offices, specifically addressing their vote for Donald Trump. An NAACP poll from September revealed that more than 25% of Black men under 50 said they would vote for Trump.

“We have not yet seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all quarters of our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running. Now, I also want to say that that seems to be more pronounced with the brothers,” Obama said.

“You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses. 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 reasons for that.”

He added: “When we get in trouble and the system isn’t working for us, they’re the ones out there marching and protesting.”

Later in the evening, at the Fitzgerald Field House in Pittsburgh, where thousands appeared to be in attendance, the Democratic party leader called on residents of the crucial swing state to vote for Harris – and down-ballot for other Democratic candidates like Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey.

“We need a president who actually cares about solving problems and making your life better, and that’s what Kamala Harris will do,” Obama said. “And to help her do it, she will need a Senate full of serious public servants like Bob Casey.”

Pennsylvania is crucial to the election for either candidate, having 19 electoral college votes. Quinnipac University recently released surveys that indicated Harris was leading in Pennsylvania; however, there has been close polling between the vice president and Donald Trump.

Control of the Senate may also be decided by the state. Casey, for instance, is running for reelection and will be up against a well-funded Republican opponent.

Obama and Harris have long backed one another's political endeavors, and during the Democratic National Convention in August, the former president and his spouse attempted to position Harris as the movement's heir. When Harris began knocking on doors for Obama in the run-up to the Iowa caucuses in 2007, she was an early backer of the longshot candidate facing off against Hilary Clinton. Obama supported Harris's 2010 campaign for attorney general of California, referring to her as "a dear, dear friend of mine."

On Thursday in Pittsburgh, Obama condemned Trump and praised Harris's message while acknowledging the frustrations of American citizens with inflation, the COVID recovery, and other issues.

“This election is going to be tight because there are a lot of Americans who are still struggling out there,” Obama said. “I get it why people are looking to shake things up. I mean, I am the hope-y, change-y guy. So I understand people feeling frustrated. We can do better. What I cannot understand is why anybody would think that Donald Trump will shake things up in a way that is good for you.