President Obama rolled up his sleeves, again, campaigning for Terry McAuliffe and other Democratic candidates for the upcoming state elections in Virginia. He attended a morning rally in Great Falls, then headed to the suburban battleground counties around Richmond. He swung by New Jersey as well, stumping for Gov. Phil Murphy.
Here are some clips of Obama as his best, trying to rally Virginians out of complacency for this critical election in these perilous times.
Obama repeatedly lambasted McAuliffe’s opponent Glenn Youngkin, mocking his attempt to cast himself as an every day guy while hiding the fact that he is part of the top 1% and used to run the Carlyle Group, a large private equity firm. He has run a number of ads showing him in casual settings like playing basketball or doing housework.
You can't run ads telling me you are a regular old hoops-playing, dish-washing, fleece-wearing guy, but quietly cultivate support from those who seek to tear down our democracy.
Whenever a wealthy person runs for office, they always want to show you what a regular guy they are.
He actually believes in the same conspiracy theories that resulted in the January 6 insurrection or he doesn't believe it but he's willing to go along with it to say or do anything to get elected.
And maybe that is worse because that says something about character. And character will end up showing when you actually are in office.
Here is the full speech, posted by VP Kamala Harris —
Some more clips —
On right-wing media and republican politics of hate and division —
The work of being governor, especially during a pandemic, is too important to just leave to chance.
We’ve got a choice. We can go backwards, we can plunge right back into the misguided policies and the divisiveness and the negligence that made this pandemic so much worse than it ever had to be, or we can build an economy that works for everybody, not just a few.
This election is about the next chapter of Virginia and our country. ... It's about leading us out of this pandemic, keeping our economy strong, protecting voter rights, protecting abortion rights and so much more.
“You have to ask yourself, why is it that Republicans don’t want you to vote? What is it they’re so afraid of? If they think they have better ideas, why don’t they just go make the case?”
Obama was also in Newark, NJ today stumping for Gov. Phil Murphy, saying American politics are at a “turning point” and this race is a choice between moving forward or backwards.
Apparently Phil’s opponent says, well, he didn’t know it was a rally to overturn the results of the last election. He didn’t know it. Come on. When you’re standing in front of a sign that says Stop the Steal and there’s a guy in the crowd waving a Confederate flag, you know this isn’t a neighborhood barbecue. You know it’s not a League of Women voters rally. Come on.
“We can't afford to be tired”
I know a lot of people are tired politics right now. Listen, I will make a confession. I never watch political shows. ... I understand why people might be tired of politics.
Here is the thing, we can't afford to be tired.
We are at a turning point right now... because there's a mood out there... a politics of meanness, division and conflict... and that's one path. The good news is there's another path where we pull together.
Go out there and fight and work because you’re going to decide this election and the direction of Virginia and the direction of this country for generations to come. Don’t sit this one out.
Obama created this ad earlier this week for Terry McAuliffe -
Obama’s support and influence extends to many other candidates in competitive districts.
From www.washingtonpost.com/… —
Also on the ballot are lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates. Democrats are defending a 55-45 advantage in the House, which has enabled them in just two years to enact a sweeping set of changes from abolishing the death penalty to legalizing marijuana and expanding voting access.
McAuliffe is seeking a return to office in the only state where the incumbent cannot serve consecutive terms.
Obama’s rallying words for Virginia -
I believe you, right here in Virginia, are going to show the rest of the country and the world that we're not going to indulge in our worst instincts. We're not going to go back to the chaos that did so much damage. We're going to move forward with people like Terry leading the way.
And when McAuliffe supporters booed at the mention of Youngkin, Obama turned back to his famous phrase - “Don’t boo, vote! Booing doesn’t do nothing! Booing might make you feel better but it’s not going to get Terry elected.”
Let’s do what we can to help Democrats across the finish line and keep Virginia blue - volunteer, make calls, send postcards and donate what we can.
Yes we can!