President Obama: 'The African-American Vote Right Now Is Not Where It Needs To Be'
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – President Obama arrived in Miami Wednesday night ahead of two campaign events on Thursday for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
It's clear that convincing African Americans to vote in record numbers is a priority for the President.
President Obama campaigned in another battleground state, North Carolina, on Wednesday and he issued strong words for voters in the Tar Heel state.
"I hate to put a pressure on your shoulders, the fate of the republic rests on your shoulders," President Obama said. "The fate of the world is teetering and you, North Carolina, is going to have to make sure that we push it in the right direction."
President Obama made it clear that he believes his legacy is on the line in the race between Clinton and Republican challenger Donald Trump.
Obama believes a Trump victory would mean rolling back Obamacare, cuts to Medicaid and diminished support for black colleges and universities.
"All of that goes out the window if we don't win this election," he said. "And we don't win this election, potentially, if we don't win North Carolina."
Specifically, President Obama appears concerned that the black vote that he won by overwhelming margins in 2008 and 2012 will not appear for Clinton.
In a positive sign for Trump, the African American vote is down seven points in early voting in Florida compared to 2012 and in North Carolina it's down five points compared to 2012.
President Obama went on predominantly black radio stations Wednesday to make his pitch and admitted that the black vote is not where it needs to be for Democrats.
At Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Miami Gardens on Wednesday, Associate Pastor Rev. Walter Richardson offered a theory.
"There's not as much enthusiasm about this election because of the person who's running," Richardson said. "This has nothing to do with Hillary per se. It has to do with the fact that she's running now following Barack Obama, and nobody can generate that kind of excitement in the African American community except another black."
President Obama arrived in Miami Wednesday evening ahead of his campaign swing through the state on Thursday.
He attended a meeting at a home on Star Island to discuss future plans for his foundation. Then he headed to the Intercontinental for the night.
In a likely positive sign for Clinton, the Latino early voting turnout is up by nearly 140 percent in Florida over this time in 2012.
Clinton campaigned in Lauderhill Wednesday as she tried to shore up support among Caribbean Americans.
"I'm proud to have the support of so many Caribbean Americans and I can't wait to work to improve the opportunities for everybody," she said.
President Obama will speak Thursday morning at Florida International University. He will also speak at a rally tomorrow afternoon in Jacksonville.
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