Former President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign rally for Vice President Harris in Pittsburgh on Thursday. Before the rally, Obama made a special appeal to black men who were hesitant to support Harris.

Ryan Collerd/AFP via Getty Images

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Ryan Collerd/AFP via Getty Images

Former President Barack Obama had a clear message to black men on Thursday: Get behind Vice President Harris and go vote.

Obama made a surprise stop at a campaign office in Pittsburgh ahead of a rally in the city – where his party has been working hard to make gains in a race where polls show a razor-thin race between Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Recent polls show Trump has made gains with black male voters. Obama, the first black president, said he wanted to “speak some truths” about it.

“My understanding, based on reports I’m getting from campaigns and communities, is that we have not yet seen the same kind of energy and participation in all areas of our neighborhoods and communities as we did when I was a candidate,” he said.

That lack of enthusiasm for Harris, he said, “seems to be more pronounced among the brothers.”

He blamed voters who voted for Trump or who didn’t vote at all.

“And you’re thinking about sitting outside?” he said. “Part of it makes me think — and I speak directly to men — part of it makes me think that you’re just not feeling the idea of ​​having a woman as president and are coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for it .”

Obama said, “The women in our lives have supported us throughout.”

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

Addressing voters who are still undecided, he said the choice between Harris and the former Trump must be clear.

“On the one hand, you have someone who grew up like you did, who knows you, went to college with you, and understands the struggles and the pain and the joy that come from those experiences,” adds Harris, who is a Black and Asian Americans is focused on policies that benefit black communities, such as affordable housing and health care. “And on the other hand, you have someone who consistently disrespects not only the community but also you as a person.”