Former president Barack Obama launched harsh criticisms towards Donald Trump and urged African American men to support Kamala Harris, at the beginning of his campaign tour in support of the Democratic candidate which started in the state of Pennsylvania, defined as crucial for the upcoming presidential elections on November 5th.
Obama, who thanked the volunteers at a campaign office in industrial Pittsburgh, made a direct appeal to Black men, after hearing reports of a lack of enthusiasm towards Harris compared to the enthusiasm there was towards his own candidacy. He commented that some men were considering not participating in the elections.
"I want to be honest," said Obama. "Sometimes, the lack of support is due to not accepting the idea of a female president and we look for other reasons to justify it." In addition, the former president questioned Trump's behavior, saying that denigrating people is not a symbol of strength. "Are you really considering supporting someone who has spent their career belittling people, just because that makes you feel strong? That is not being a man," he added.
Why did Obama start his support campaign in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania was the state chosen by the former president to kick off his support tour, less than a month before the elections and with early voting already underway in almost all states in the US.
Of all the states, there are seven that appear as "undecided" for the next election and Pennsylvania is the most valued of them, due to its 19 electoral votes.
Obama won in his presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012, but Trump won in 2016. Biden narrowly won in 2020, and the state is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested in this year's election.
Therefore, during an event at the University of Pittsburgh, Obama brought out all his artillery against Trump, whom he described as "disconnected from reality," referring to him as a "whiny" billionaire who has been complaining ever since he descended the famous golden staircase nine years ago.
The former president highlighted Kamala Harris's career, stating that she is "more prepared than any other nominee for the presidential position," emphasizing her fight in defense of the most vulnerable people. Additionally, he emphasized the importance that Harris would be the first female president if she won in the upcoming elections.
Obama did not miss the opportunity to mock Trump's recent social media posts and the conspiracy theories he promotes. "It's like Fidel Castro, speaking non-stop for two hours, trying to sell you something," joked the former president. He also ridiculed some of the products promoted by Trump during his campaign, such as golden shoes and a special edition of the Bible titled "God Bless the USA" with Trump's name on the cover, stating: "You can't make these things up."
Additionally, Obama recalled Trump's failed attempts to eliminate the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare", criticizing a recent comment by J.D. Vance, Trump's running mate, who claimed that Trump had worked to save the law.
"Trump spent his entire presidency trying to dismantle it and he couldn't even do that," Obama declared. He also referred to the federal election interference case against Trump, where it was mentioned that the former president showed no concern for the safety of his then vice president, Mike Pence, during the attack on the Capitol in 2021. "If he doesn't care about his own vice president, do you think he cares about you?" Obama asked.
"I understand that people want a change," acknowledged Obama, referring to the challenges the country has faced, such as the pandemic and rising prices. "But what I don't understand is how anyone can think that Trump will be the change that will benefit Pennsylvania," Obama concluded.
Obama's great leadership in the Democratic Party
Barack Obama has a strong presence within the Democratic Party, he has become one of the most influential advocates for mobilizing voters and also played a key role in Joe Biden's 2020 campaign as vice president.
In any case, the former president also played a key role in convincing Biden to not run for reelection.
Obama and Harris have been friends for two decades since he ran for the Senate in Illinois. She campaigned for him when he was running for the presidency in 2008.