The most popular living president is bringing out the big guns ahead of the midterm elections, overshadowed by his successor’s poor ratings.
Barack Obama is reprising the slogan that helped him win the White House as he supports Democrats in the battle for control of the House and Senate.
“I am energized by the millions of Americans who are taking a stand and demanding change, even when it is difficult,” the former president, 65, said in a video message released Friday by the party. “That’s hope.”
He goes on to say, “I ask you today to use that hope to make a difference” and “help Democrats win one of the most important elections in our nation’s history.”
Trump’s ratings are plummeting as the November midterm elections approach.
“The most powerful function in this country has always been that of the citizen,” he concludes. “And starting now, each of us can help turn hope into action. »
Obama, who campaigned on “hope” in 2008 and who, according to polls, remains the nation’s most popular living president, also used his video speech to launch a not-so-subtle attack on his Republican successor.
“I never would have imagined what is happening in our country lately,” he said, without mentioning Donald Trump, 80, by name.
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The former president spoke out in favor of his party ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, where Trump’s plummeting approval ratings helped Democrats secure an already 9-point advantage in the wildcard congressional ballot.
Obama’s fundraising efforts brought in more than $13.6 million to the party’s war chest over the past year, CBS reported Friday ahead of his support for Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is running for re-election in Pennsylvania.
This followed his public support for Senate candidate Troy Jackson in Maine and Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, as well as gubernatorial candidates Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia and David Crowley in Wisconsin, on Thursday.
The former president’s team says his ads supporting these candidates are just a handful of the two dozen he has created for candidates across the country, with his strategy “driven by how well he can get things done with Democrats and persuasive voters, particularly in states with key races.”
He has made public appearances in support of Senate candidate James Talarico and gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa in Texas, as well as future Iowa Sen. Josh Turek, and plans to fight for Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and gubernatorial hopeful Jocelyn Benson in the coming weeks.
The Daily Beast has contacted the White House and the Democratic National Committee for comment on this story.
“The American people elected President Trump in 2016 to make America great again and turn the page on Obama’s years of failure,” said White House spokesman Davis Ingle. “Barack Hussein Obama will go down as one of the most dishonest, controversial and destructive presidents in history.”
“Democrats are heading into November with the wind at our backs and momentum on our side, but we’re taking nothing for granted,” said DNC Chairman Ken Martin. “We are committed to reaching every voter and winning their vote by focusing on lowering costs and making life more affordable. President Obama’s support will motivate and mobilize voters down the stretch and help Democrats across the country win elections.”
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