On Saturday, one of the great orators of our time, a man who is inspirational and beloved in a way the man who followed him in the White House could never be, spoke on behalf of Democrat Terry McAuliffe of Virginia who is currently embroiled in a tight race for governor against Republican Glenn Youngkin. The choice seems clear, as McAuliffe is experienced in government and leadership, while the draw of Youngkin seems to be little more than his hero-worship of the twice-impeached ex-president who never won the popular vote.
In a visit to Richmond, former President Barack Obama offered a sharp rebuke of the Republican candidate for Virginia governor, Glenn Youngkin, as he encouraged voters to support Democrat Terry McAuliffe in the closely watched race. https://t.co/isXNL9CzHG
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 23, 2021
President Obama stumped for McAuliffe with a rousing speech to convince voters to do their part to ensure that the saner, less conspiracy theory-minded party retains the governor’s seat in Virginia. To keep the state moving forward instead of becoming another red state led by madmen (we’re looking at you, Texas and Florida), Obama reminded the crowd that McAuliffe has worked hard and made significant accomplishments that have benefitted the people in his state.
‘When you’ve got someone in your corner who has shown that they will work for you, who has a track record of accomplishments, then you have to go out there and work for them. Not because everything suddenly is going to be perfect but because it’s going to be better.’
Former President Obama campaigns for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe: "There's a politics of meanness and division and conflict, of tribalism and cynicism…but the good news is there's another path." https://t.co/kuv7bwoFgV
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 23, 2021
Obama criticized the Trumpian meanness that has seeped throughout the Republican Party. Following Trump’s example of taunting, childish insults, and cruelty, these acts by right-wing politicians have permeated voters and created division between the American people as well as their government.
‘We’re at a turning point right now, both here in America and around the world,” Obama told a crowd of about 2,000 gathered outdoors on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. “Because there’s a mood out there. There’s a politics of meanness and division and conflict, of tribalism and cynicism. That’s one path. But the good news is there’s another path where we pull together and we solve big problems.’
President Obama in a new ad for Terry McAuliffe pic.twitter.com/m3eCzUriFY
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) October 20, 2021
Obama also criticized Youngkin, emphasizing the dual meaning of the gubernatorial candidate’s willingness to stand for the Big Lie told by Donald Trump, the one that says the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him by the Democrats, the Never Trumpers, the long-deceased former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, Italy, and a vote tabulating machine company.
‘Either he actually believes in the same conspiracy theories that resulted in a mob, or he doesn’t believe it but he is willing to go along with it, to say or do anything to get elected. And maybe that’s worse … because that says something about character.’
