CHICAGO – Former President Barack Obama warned of a potential showdown between Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump in November, and slammed his successor as dangerous, confused and lacking in empathy.
“This is still going to be a close race. In a country where too many Americans are still struggling, too many Americans don’t believe their government can help, and as we gather here tonight, the people who will decide this election are asking a very simple question: Who is going to fight for me?” Obama said. “Who is thinking about my future? Who is thinking about my children’s future?
“One thing is for sure, Donald Trump is not going to lose sleep over this,” Obama said, mentioning his successor’s name.
Obama claimed Trump “never stopped talking about his problems” and was “afraid of losing to Kamala,” adding that he spread conspiracy theories and had a “strange obsession with crowd size.”
“I heard someone yesterday liken Trump to a neighbor who blows leaves outside his window every minute of every day,” he said. “It’s exhausting for the neighbor, and it’s dangerous for the president.”
“We don’t need another four years of pretense, foolishness and confusion. We’ve already seen the movie and we all know that sequels are usually worse,” the former president added.
Obama, who was welcomed like a rock star in Illinois, praised Harris as a prosecutor, attorney general and vice president. Obama and Harris have a long relationship that dates back to her serving as attorney general when he was president.
Obama nodded to Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minnesota), calling Walz an “outstanding partner” for Harris and “a man who knows who he is and what’s important.” He joked that the shirt Walz was wearing was from his own closet, not a political consultant, and that “they’ve been through some things.”
The former president touted Harris’s “bold new plan,” which she announced last week, aimed at building new housing units and helping first-time homebuyers. He also said Harris wants to expand the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, by limiting Americans’ out-of-pocket costs.
“We need a president who truly cares about the millions of people across this country who wake up every morning and care for our sick, clean our streets, deliver packages and do essential, often uncompensated work to ensure their right to negotiate for better wages and working conditions,” he said.
“And Kamala can be that president. Yes, she can,” he said, recalling his popular campaign catchphrase.
A chant of “She can do it” erupted from the crowd.
Tuesday’s speech was Obama’s first public appearance since he began pressuring Biden last month to drop out of the race and pass the torch to Harris. Just a week after she was nominated, both Obamas endorsed the vice president.
Obama appealed for unity in a “broken and divided” country, arguing that the excitement over Harris’ campaign had convinced Americans they wanted something better than a divided nation. He called for “a return to an America that works together and cares for each other.”
The 44th president was introduced after a powerful speech by his wife. He then took the stage to U2’s “City of Blinding Lights,” a 2008 campaign song. The crowd held up “Vote” signs.
Obama began his speech by saying he was glad to be home, and alluded to the mood of what was another campaign callback: “I don’t know about you, but I’m excited. Even if I’m the only one foolish enough to speak after Michelle Obama, I feel ready to go. This convention has always been pretty good for kids with funny names who believe anything is possible, so I’m hopeful.”
He praised President Biden, saying the two had become “brothers,” and said he admired Biden’s empathy, civility and unwavering belief that every American deserves a fair chance.
He praised Biden for being a consistent leader who has led the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic, created jobs, reduced health care costs and brought people together.
“History will remember Joe Biden as an extraordinary president who defended our democracy at a time of great peril. I am proud to call him president, but I am even prouder to call him a friend,” he said, as the crowd chanted, “Thank you, Joe.”
