Archive for the ‘Obama’ Category
"We all have power:" Michelle Obama says Beyonc’s "Cowboy Carter" reminds us of voting power – Salon
Michelle Obama, a long-time Beyonc fan and supporter, praised the musician's new country album "Cowboy Carter," while also calling for voters to use their power and vote.
The former first lady took to Instagram on Wednesday to shower Beyonc with praise, telling the Texas pop star, "You are a record-breaker and history-maker." She continued that "Cowboy Carter" has"changed the game once again by helping redefine a music genre and transform our culture.I am so proud of you!"
Moreover, Obama said the album is a "reminder that despite everything weve been through to be heard, seen, and recognized, we can still dance, sing, and be who we are unapologetically."
Outside of praising the singer, Obama used the post as a rallying call to appeal to voters, stating that "Cowboy Carter" reminds us that "we all have power. Theres power in our history, in our joy, and in our votes and we can each use our own gifts and talents to make our voices heard on the issues that matter most to us."
Obama urged voters to stand up for their beliefs, saying, "We must do that at the ballot box this year. The issues that impact us most are on the ballot across the country from equal pay and racial justice to reproductive healthcare and climate change."
She concluded with a voter registration link and stated that "Queen Bey says at the end of 'Ya Ya,' we need to 'keep the faith' and 'VOTE!'"
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"We all have power:" Michelle Obama says Beyonc's "Cowboy Carter" reminds us of voting power - Salon
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Obama could be Biden’s secret weapon with Black voters – TheGrio
As President Joe Biden navigates shaky terrain with Black voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election, he may have at least one secret weapon on the campaign trail: former President Barack Obama.
President Obama continues to be an asset for Democrats, Joel Payne, a Democratic strategist, told theGrio. Fundraising [and] mobilizing Black voters is a place he can help.
[Obama] was a key part of the closing crew in 2020 [and] he was engaged in 22 in some key places, said Payne, referencing Obamas stumps throughout the final days of the 2020 presidential election, and the 2022 midterms. The election two years ago resulted in Democrats over-performing in contests against Republican candidates following the majority-conservative U.S. Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Payne, who was a staffer with the 2008 presidential campaign of former Sen. John Edwards, Obamas opponent in the Democratic primary, remembers the effectiveness of Obamas campaign style and how much it resonated with Democratic voters. That same political savvy can be an asset to his former vice president, Payne believes, by holding together his coalition, particularly Black voters, the Democratic Partys most reliable and consistent voting bloc.
Americas first Black president, who maintained a solid approval rating when he left office in 2016, remains a popular political figure who draws turnout and enthusiasm among key groups important to the Biden coalition. That coalition, held together by Black voters and arguably architected by Obamas 2008 presidential campaign, sent Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to the White House.
Obama could be an effective surrogate to energize and persuade Black voters amid steady polling that shows they remain unmoved by Bidens handling of the economy and outraged by his administrations response to Israels war in Gaza against the terrorist group Hamas that has so far killed more than 32,000 Palestinians.
Last week, Obama, along with former President Bill Clinton, joined Biden for a historic fundraiser that drew 5,000 attendees and raised a record $26 million. During a discussion with The Late Show host Stephen Colbert at New York Citys Radio City Music Hall, Obama made the case for why Biden is the best choice over presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump when it comes to the Middle East conflict.
The 44th U.S. president said he selected Biden as his vice president because of his moral conviction and clarity and willingness to acknowledge that the world is complicated. Obama said that while the death toll in Gaza is heartbreaking, there is room for nuance to say we unequivocally support the people of Israel and have our hearts broken watching innocent people being killed.
Hes exactly the kind of voice that can convey to Black folk: I know, you may not like everything thats happening, but I would rather trust our future with Biden, than the risk our future with Trump, Michael Blake, a former Obama campaign operative, told theGrio.
Reflecting on Obamas winning political trademark of hope and inspiration and how it could benefit Biden, Blake said that Obama is able to communicate a positive vision for the future in a hopeful manner. The CEO of the Kairos Democracy Project added, Running against a man whose entire approach is lets go backward, I would probably want to have a surrogate in President Obama whos talking about hope and moving forward.
Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist and adviser to Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., a Biden confidant, told theGrio that Obama can serve as a validator and advocate for Joe Biden the man, as well as for what the Biden-Harris agenda means for not only this country but for the world and particularly the African-American community.
I think thats a clear contrast to the other side when he cant even get his own vice president to stand with him, said Seawright, in reference to former Vice President Mike Pence, who unsuccessfully ran against Trump in the Republican primary. Seawright noted that the electorate seems swayed by style over substance, seemingly referencing Trumps continued appeal to certain voters.
We dont dismiss that certainly, Obama brings style and substance, he said. Its gonna take everybody to help this Democratic Party.
Payne, who worked on former Sen. Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign, noted that while Obama has used his star power to support the Biden agenda in the last few election cycles, it doesnt overshadow what President Biden needs to do.
I think he has some awareness of the challenges that President Biden is facing, he said, and also the fact that he does not need an ex-president not giving him the space to still develop his own political identity.
Payne predicts the Obama and Biden camps will be smart and measured about when they use him.
Blake, who served three terms as a New York state assemblyman and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, said Black voters have to consider the future they want to see for America at a time when democracy and stability around the world are on the line.
As it relates to the Israel war in Gaza, which has particularly incensed young Black voters, Blake said Black people who care about whats happening in the Middle East will have toask themselves, Do you want a president who seeks to be a diplomat and actually resolve conflict, or do you want someone who says that he wants to be a dictator, and wants to create more conflict?'
There is no perfect candidate, he said. But I would rather put policy in the hands of Joe Biden than ever putting it in the hands again of Donald Trump.
During last weeks star-studded fundraiser, Obama made clear that the presidential election wont solely rest on the negative case against Trump, but also the positive case for Bidens outstanding job in the presidency. The former president listed the Biden-Harris administrations accomplishments, including record-breaking job growth, the lowest recorded unemployment for Black Americans, lowering health care costs, and historic climate-smart investments.
We also have a positive story to tell about the future, and that is something JoeBidenhas worked on diligently each and every day on behalf of working Americans, said Obama, and I expect him to continue to do that for the next four years and eight months.
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Obama could be Biden's secret weapon with Black voters - TheGrio
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Barack Obama and Bill Clinton headline major Biden fundraiser in New York – NPR
Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton clap for President Biden during a campaign fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Thursday. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton clap for President Biden during a campaign fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Thursday.
President Biden had an entourage of support from celebrities and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama at a historic campaign fundraiser set to raise more than $25 million Thursday night, as Biden continues to aggressively campaign against former President Donald Trump.
The event at Radio City Music Hall in New York was meant to reinforce Biden's campaign finances and widen his voter outreach.
Biden already has a commanding lead over Trump in funding, especially as Trump and his groups are figuring out how to cover Trump's legal costs. But Biden and Democrats aren't holding back to increase that gap.
By mid-March, the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee amassed a combined $155 million cash on hand, while the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee ended February with $44.85 million cash on hand. Since Super Tuesday, the Biden campaign has outspent the Trump team on pre-booked advertising by nearly four times.
"This historic raise is a show of strong enthusiasm for President Biden and Vice President Harris and a testament to the unprecedented fundraising machine we've built," said Biden-Harris 2024 campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg.
Obama and Clinton uniting forces behind Biden could help the incumbent weather the unique political challenges that his predecessors who both had higher approval ratings than Biden during their reelection campaigns did not have to face: the aftermath of a worldwide pandemic, the Jan. 6 insurrection, turmoil over abortion access and a growing protest vote campaign over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
A star-studded cast also appear with the former presidents and Biden, including Mindy Kaling, who hosted, and Stephen Colbert, who moderated a conversation with the three presidents.
It was an opportunity for Biden to counter concerns about his age and polls that show a lack of enthusiasm.
But frustrations against Biden did flare up: Protesters interrupted the event multiple times, most to criticize Biden's handling of the war in Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather for the "Flood Manhattan for Gaza" rally outside Radio City Music Hall while President Biden holds a fundraiser for his reelection campaign in New York on Thursday. Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather for the "Flood Manhattan for Gaza" rally outside Radio City Music Hall while President Biden holds a fundraiser for his reelection campaign in New York on Thursday.
The Trump campaign notes that Biden hasn't had to spend money fending off primary challengers, like Trump has. The Trump campaign also is just now getting access to the Republican National Committee support since officially securing the nomination.
"Our digital online fundraising continues to skyrocket, our major donor investments are climbing, and Democrats are running scared of the fundraising prowess of President Trump," said Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung.
Another challenge for Trump, though, are his mounting legal fees, which his political action committee is spending money on.
Katzenberg took a swipe at that fact, and said Biden is focused on demonstrating his track record to voters.
"Unlike our opponent, every dollar we're raising is going to reach the voters who will decide this election communicating the President's historic record, his vision for the future and laying plain the stakes of this election."
The money race isn't anywhere near over. Trump and the Republican Party have a fundraiser next week that they say will overshadow Biden's event by raising at least $33 million.
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Barack Obama and Bill Clinton headline major Biden fundraiser in New York - NPR
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Takeaways: Biden, Obama, Clinton try to boost Dem enthusiasm with NYC spectacle – Roll Call
ANALYSIS President Joe Biden and former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton raked in more than $25 million at a glitzy New York City fundraiser Thursday night, a show of unity that Republicans have struggled to match.
Political analysts for months have noted there appears to be more enthusiasm among Republican voters, with key blocs of the Democrats base including Black, Latino and Arab American voters frustrated with Biden for different reasons. Biden and other top Democratic officials hope the star-studded event will help whip up enthusiasm about his record as president and prevent Trumps return to the White House.
Biden with Obama hitching a ride from Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, D.C., to New York came to the storied Radio City Music Hall with some political momentum. Some recent polls have shown him closing the gap with Trump or pulling ahead of the presumed GOP nominee in key swing states, and Biden is fresh off campaign stops in a number of key swing states, adding to his massive fundraising edge over Trump along the way.
The New York City event raised more than $25 million, according to Bidens election campaign, selling more than 5,000 tickets.
This historic raise is a show of strong enthusiasm for President Biden and Vice President Harris and a testament to the unprecedented fundraising machine weve built, Biden 2024 campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg said in a statement.
He then took a shot at Trump: Unlike our opponent, every dollar were raising is going to reach the voters who will decide this election. The numbers dont lie: [Thursdays] event is a massive show of force and a true reflection of the momentum to reelect the Biden-Harris ticket.
Bidens campaign cash on hand at the end of February was more than $100 million higher than Trumps, according to reports citing campaign filings. Trump has been using his campaign accounts to pay his legal bills in multiple criminal and civil cases, eroding his cash for rallies and other campaign functions.
Biden, Obama and Clinton, during a session moderated by CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert, covered a range of topics, from the Israel-Hamas war to the economy to Democrats health and economic records and even Trumps golf habit.
Here are four takeaways from Democrats big night in the Big Apple.
Bidens potential Electoral College problem with pro-Palestinian voters followed him to New York. Demonstrators outside chanted and waved Palestinian flags, and protesters interrupted him inside the hall.
When Colbert asked the two former presidents what they miss about the job, the trio was interrupted, according to a pool reporter allowed into the event, by protesters whistling and yelling obscenities about Russia and Ukraine, and then by pro-Palestinian individuals.
Like an event Tuesday in potential battleground North Carolina, Biden asked security personnel to let the protesters have their say.
Thats all right. Let them go. Theres a lot of people who are very, very there are too many innocent victims, Israeli and Palestinian. Weve got to get more food and medicine [and] supplies in to the Palestinians, Biden said, reiterating his stance that Israel has a right to defend itself but Palestinians in Gaza must be helped.
Its understandable Israel has such a profound anger and Hamas is still there, the president said. But we must, in fact, stop the effort that is resulting in significant deaths of innocent [Palestinian] civilians, particularly children.
Obama said Americans need to be more comfortable understanding that it is realistic to support Israels defense needs and the rights of Palestinians. All three endorsed a two-state solution, with Biden re-upping his call for a shelved plan under which he said Saudi Arabia was ready to normalize relations with Israel.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a former member of the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, said last week that youve got to have a plan to make sure you can de-radicalize the Palestinian population.
And thats going to require Saudi Arabia and the Arab world, he said in a brief interview. There is no solution to Hamas without the Arab world getting involved.
Biden went directly after Trump about the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, continuing a recent trend of directly criticizing his predecessor during public remarks and at fundraisers.
He sat there in the dining room off the Oval Office for several hours and watched, didnt do a damn thing, Biden said a version of the events of that day that matched former Trump White House aides who testified before the Houses Jan. 6 select committee.
Its not only that he said it wasnt an insurrection, he says that what was happening was totally legitimate. That these people were patriots, Biden said of Trump and the rioters. Hes calling them patriots. But the end result of it is he says if he were to be freely elected, hes going to pardon all of them. By the way, he means it. He means it.
To that end, Trump at a recent rally called those individuals who have been convicted because of their actions on Jan. 6 hostages.
Obama then offered an assessment of the countrys composition that likely will rankle Republicans who want to drastically reduce immigration rates.
We fought a civil war, and enormous struggles were fought to try to perfect our union, he said. And we, in our actions overseas, sometimes did not live up to our ideals. But what has always made America exceptional is this radical idea that you can get people from every corner of the globe.
Clinton and Obama spent time touting Democrats collective record on issues like health care and the economy since the former took office in 1993. They criticized Trumps record, saying they each oversaw more job growth than the 45th president.
Obama indirectly tried to explain Bidens low overall poll numbers and a majority of voters dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy.
And one of the things that all three of us accept when you have this extraordinary privilege of serving the American people is, if its happening on your watch, and even if you didnt have anything to do with it, even if youre making progress, theres going to be frustrations and sometimes those will be directed towards your office. Thats part of the deal, the 44th president said.
But the thing that not only Joe has to communicate, we who support Joe have to communicate, is at the end of the day, who do you think is actually going to look out for you? Obama said, suggesting Trump cannot relate to most Americans. Who do you actually think is going to fight on your behalf? Whos gone through tough financial times? Who has actually experienced the worry of a child getting sick and you try to figure out how youre going to pay for it?
And Joe has gone through those struggles.
On the flip side, Trump and his surrogates often call Biden too cognitively hindered and corrupt to serve a second term.
The presidential election will play out in swing states and courtrooms, where Trump still faces more than 80 criminal counts for alleged business fraud, his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, and classified documents that he took from the White House to his Florida resort home and then, according to federal investigators, refused to return.
But perhaps the two candidates could face off on the links, especially since no general election debates have yet been scheduled.
Look, Id be happy to play. I told him this once before when he came into the Oval before he was sworn in, Biden said of Trump, referring to a post-election visit to the White House when Trump was president-elect. I said, Ill give you 3 strokes but you carry your own bag.
Trump last weekend bragged on his social media site that he once again won one of his golf clubs annual members tournaments. But he added a new twist, claiming he also won the seniors tournament. The Biden campaign spent ample time this week mocking Trumps golf habit, noting he has held few campaign events in recent weeks.
Ive only played 21 holes, Biden said, since Ive been president.
Always in counterprogramming mode, Trump appeared on Fox News Channels popular Fox & Friends morning program Friday in an attempt to cast Biden as anti-police over fallen New York City police officer Jonathan Dillers death. Law enforcement officials said Diller was shot and killed by a man who had been previously arrested multiple times.
Trump visited with Dillers widow on Thursday, but Biden did not attend his wake.
I think that politically he cant support the police, Trump said of Biden. I think hes also making a mistake. But I think, politically, his base wont let him support the police. And I support the police. I would say at the highest level of any president by far, maybe double or triple.
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Takeaways: Biden, Obama, Clinton try to boost Dem enthusiasm with NYC spectacle - Roll Call
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