Trump, in Pennsylvania, faces an old foe: Obama – POLITICO
The president has been publicly musing about Obama's event ever since it was revealed the ex-president would be hitting campaign trail for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. During a Friday night rally in Georgia, Trump recalled the moment aides told him Obama would be rallying for Biden, much as he did for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
They said, Sir, we have bad news, Trump said recently. Whats the bad news? Obamas going to start campaigning for Sleepy Joe. I said, Is that good or bad? Why is it bad? Because he campaigned harder for Hillary than she did. He was very ineffective as a campaigner. So I think thats good news.
Tuesday night, while Trump avoided an Obama mention, he didnt spare his other enemies during the chilly outdoor rally at the Erie airport. Thousands of supporters bundled up in coats and hats about half wearing masks chanted four more years! as Trump walked onto the stage with Air Force One behind him.
Once Trump took to the podium, he swiftly blasted Bidens son, Hunter, accusing him of earning millions of dollars in China and Ukraine while his father was vice president vague allegations that have not been substantiated with concrete evidence. And when Trumps microphone abruptly cut out, the president quipped that the brief outage was likely caused by "crooked Hillary."
Its no surprise Trump and Obama are both appearing in Pennsylvania. The northeast state has become critical in the race to claim the White House on Nov. 3. In 2016, Trump became the first Republican to win the state since 1988 when turnout was higher than expected. But recent polls show Biden, who spent part of his childhood in the state, could win it back.
If we win Pennsylvania, we win the whole thing, Trump told the crowd Tuesday before mocking Biden for leaving the state and trying to claim Pennsylvania as his own.
It's not his home state. He left you when he was nine, right? I'm not blaming him for that, Trump said. But you know he likes to go, Oh yeah, yeah it's my home state. It's not his home state. I actually went to college in Pennsylvania.
In 2016, some white working class residents who had grown frustrated with the Democratic Party were drawn to Trump by the way he talked about bringing back jobs to the state. But Trumps promises have not necessarily materialized. While the state added manufacturing jobs in 2017 and early 2018, it has been shedding them since October 2018. And with the pandemic-driven economic decline, the state has 600,000 fewer jobs overall than when Trump took office.
Still, Trump aides and allies say they feel confident the president can win the state a second time, even during the coronavirus pandemic, by touting economic policies like tax cuts and trade deals. On Tuesday night, Trump hit those points. He unveiled a video package on a massive screen behind him meant to make the case that Biden would eliminate fracking a method for extracting oil and gas used in Pennsylvania even though Biden has explicitly said he would not take such a step.
Since 2016, Donald Trump has not changed one bit, said former Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.). He is the same person that he was in 2016 when he won Pennsylvania. But the Democrat party has changed since then. Their far shift to the left does not resonate with the Kennedy Democrats that are here in Pennsylvania.
In his wide-ranging speech, Trump touched on a variety of accomplishments and didnt shy away from talking about the coronavirus outbreak, telling the crowd that the country was rounding the corner of the pandemic with a vaccine on its way and that Pennsylvania had been shut down long enough.
You know what we want? Normal life, he said.
National Republicans boast about their presence in Pennsylvania since 2016, contacting more than 11.5 million voters, holding 4,300 training sessions and holding 5,400 MAGA meet-ups with 50,000 attendees. In the last four years, Republicans have registered more than 200,000 more voters, closing the registration gap with Democrats to 700,000, the lowest margin in two decades.
Yet Democrats recently scored a win in the state on voting rules after the Supreme Court decided not to block a Pennsylvania court ruling allowing mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted even if they arrive up to three days later. Mail-in votes are expected to favor Democrats in the state.
And Biden has also traveled to every media market in Pennsylvania, including areas that Trump won by more than 30 points, according to a Biden campaign official.
Our strategy hinges on turning out our base voters in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, while also building on Democratic gains with key voters like women and seniors, while also shrinking the margins and winning back voters in places Trump won in 2016, the official said.
President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally at North Coast Air aeronautical services at Erie International Airport on Oct. 20, 2020 in Erie, Pa. | Jeff Swensen/Getty Images
Separately, Bidens wife, Jill Biden, has visited the Philadelphia suburbs twice in the last month. And Bidens running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, visited Philadelphia last month. The campaign has also focused on reaching labor union members, hiring a labor outreach director to try to reach the 700,000 Pennsylvania union members with literature drops and phone banks, the official said.
Yet with Biden laying low in the run-up to his debate Thursday with Trump, the campaign trail in Pennsylvania is essentially Trump vs. Obama.
Trump likes to say Obama didn't want to endorse Biden because Obama knows hes mentally shot." But while he largely stayed out of the Democratic presidential primary, Obama has vocally endorsed Biden during the general election, urging voters to support Biden because "our democracy" is at stake.
"He made me a better president," Obama said during his speech at the Democratic National Convention. "He's got the character and the experience to make us a better country."
Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, said Obama will be a crucial surrogate for Biden. Obama, Casey said, can explain how he worked with Biden to restore the economy following the 2008 recession, and show how that work will apply to resurrecting the post-pandemic economy.
No one can validate Joe Bidens experience and his ability to do the job better than Barack Obama can, Casey said in an interview Tuesday.
With Obamas emergence, Trump has stepped up the attacks on his predecessor.
Trump has criticized Obama for joining a nuclear agreement with Iran; for allowing immigrants to cross the southern border illegally; and for entering what he calls unfair trade deals. Hes also made more personal comments accusing Obama of undeservedly winning a Nobel Peace Prize. (Trump has long mused that he should win the award.)
And Trump often cites a Gallup poll from this month showing 56 percent of Americans saying they are better off today than they were four years ago, when Obama and Biden were in charge of the country.
Last month, a crowd at Trump's rally in Nevada even chanted "lock him up" after the president baselessly accused Obama of "spying" on the 2016 Trump campaign a riff on the 2016 Trump rally chant aimed at Clinton.
Read more from the original source:
Trump, in Pennsylvania, faces an old foe: Obama - POLITICO
- Barack Obama heads to the UK for talks - voice-online.co.uk - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama had to fight back tears during podcast. Heres why - PennLive - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Barack Obama to lift the lid on life in office in two live appearances - The Independent - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- FanDuel adds former Obama advisor and ex-NFL head to policy team - EGR North America - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Obama's scathing assessment of Biden's failed campaign revealed - Fox News - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- An Evening With Barack Obama Heading To Arenas In London And Dublin In September - Stereoboard.com - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- An Evening with President Barack Obama announced for London and Dublin - Mixtape Madness - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Former President Barack Obama to speak at Dublin event later this year - Hotpress - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama Say They're 'So Proud' of Daughter Malia on 27th Birthday: 'Keep Shining Bright, My Love' - People.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Steph Curry revealed what Barack Obama's golf game is like after playing with him and Jordan Spieth - The Golfing Gazette - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama Share Why They're "So Proud" of Malia on Her 27th Birthday - instyle.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama's new photo of Malia on her birthday leaves fans saying the same thing - hellomagazine.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Malia Obama celebrates her birthday on Fourth of July: Our favorite looks over the years - hola.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Your campaign is a mess: What incredulous Obama thought of Biden running again - Washington Examiner - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Malia Obama, Suri Cruise, Jennifer Garner, and more celebs wearing overalls - hola.com - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Bush, Obama and singer Bono fault Trumps gutting of USAID on agencys last day - Politico - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- USAID officially closes, attracting condemnation from Obama and Bush - BBC - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Mamdani campaign hires former Obama, Clinton spokesperson who wished death on Trump - New York Post - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Bush, Obama and singer Bono fault Trumps gutting of USAID on agencys last day - AP News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Mrs. Obama: Nation Must Step up Forever for Military Families - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Obama: Wont Accept Budget That Shortchanges Readiness - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Malia Obama shows off her summer abs on the way to the gym in Los Angeles - HOLA - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Readers respond: Obama deal would have avoided Trump bombing - OregonLive.com - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Rubio hails end of USAID as Bush, Obama deplore cost in lives - France 24 - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Obama, Bush and Bono bid a fond farewell to USAID - Daily Kos - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Fmr. Obama Treasury Sec. concerned Zohran Mamdani will ruin NYC if elected mayor - Fox News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Comments - Obama and Bush Team Up To Shred Trump Over USAID - The Bulwark - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- How Trump plays with new media says a lot about him as it did with FDR, Kennedy and Obama - The Conversation - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Obama Urges Americans to Pressure Reps to Reject Trump Megabill - The Rickey Smiley Morning Show - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Obama and Bush Unite in Rare Move Against Trump - The Daily Beast - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Bush, Obama and Bono Commend USAID Staff Members on Their Last Day - The New York Times - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Lucas: Obama and the Democrats paved the way for Irans nuclear program - Boston Herald - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Obama, Bush decry travesty of Trumps gutting of USAID on its last day - Al Jazeera - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Obama, Bush criticize Trump administration for gutting USAID - Washington Examiner - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- 10 Years Later: Looking Back On a Week That Shaped Our Country - Barack Obama Medium - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Bush, Obama and Bono bid farewell to USAID as 14m more deaths forecast without it - The Independent - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Obama, Bush and Bono eulogize USAID on final day - The Week - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- House Republicans call for investigation into Obama-appointed judge in Trump funding case - AOL.com - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Donald Trump's 'colossal mistake' BLASTED by Obama and Bush during surprise reunion that left Bono in tears - Daily Mail - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Physician Tina Shah, who served in Obama and Biden administrations, will challenge Kean in NJ-7 - New Jersey Globe - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama shares the three words her dying mother said that changed her outlook on life - TheGrio - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama's podcast puts her in limelight in new Trump era, but she's not coming to Democrats' rescue - Fox News - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Bush and Obama fault Trumps gutting of USAID on agencys last day - MSN - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Don Jr.: "Affirmative Action" is why Obama won Nobel, not Trump - CNN - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- A former Obama speechwriter learned to surf with his Joe Rogan-loving brother-in-law. Heres what happened next. - Inquirer.com - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- The key difference between Obama and Trump on immigration - Orange County Register - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama shares 4 words her mom said at the end of her life that stuck with her - NPR - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Discusses Parental Pain After Malia Changes Her Last Name to Push Away From Her Parents - Yahoo - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Emotionally Shares Impact of 3 Words from Her Dying Mother - MSN - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Reveals the Four Dying Words from Her Mother That Changed the Way She Lives Her Life - parade.com - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama reveals why shes rarely seen with Barack - Yahoo - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- See the photos of Barack Obama School for Social Justice graduation ceremony - Lohud - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Viral video: Michelle Obama tears up while remembering her mother, reveals her take on death | Watch - Mint - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says Barack Obama divorce rumor reactions are like 'the apocalypse' - USA Today - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- This week in whoppers: Former aide's 'anti-war' Obama fantasy, Nina Turner's ignorance on Iran's abuse of women and more - New York Post - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Obama and Biden sent American taxpayers' money to Iran...: White House reveals - WION - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Trump Jr Says Obama Getting Nobel Prize Over Father Is 'Affirmative Action' - Newsweek - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Gets Emotional Talking About the 3 Powerful Words Her Mom Said While Dying - People.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Ex-Obama aide says its insane to think Cuomo is best choice for New York mayor as it happened - The Guardian - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- We are 60: Michelle on divorce rumors, explains why she's rarely seen with Barack Obama - Times of India - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Ex-Obama aide: Insane to think Cuomo better than democratic socialist - The Hill - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama addresses divorce rumors and why shes rarely seen with Barack: Were 60, yall - New York Post - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Democrats are more likely than Republicans to support naming public places after Obama, Harvey Milk, and Malcolm X - YouGov - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Trump Jr. says Barack Obama getting Nobel Peace Prize over his father is affirmative action - TheGrio - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama addresses rumors of the end of our marriage - The Hill - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama reacts to divorce rumours: Were 60, yall! - The Indian Express - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama mocks rumors that her marriage is in trouble - Fox News - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Addresses Divorce Rumors and Why Shes Rarely Seen with Husband Barack - instyle.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama addresses the Barack Obama divorce rumors with humor - HOLA - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Megyn Kelly parodies Michelle Obama as she hits out at former first lady for 'never having a positive word to say' - Daily Mail - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Explains Her Rare Public Outings With Barack - The Daily Beast - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says Barack Obama divorce rumor reactions are like 'the apocalypse' - MSN - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama reveals why shes rarely seen with Barack - The Telegraph - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Just Revealed Why She's Glad She Didn't Have Boys, And Her Reason Makes Sooo Much Sense - BuzzFeed - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama addresses lack of public appearances with husband Barack following divorce rumors - The Independent - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Obama CBA Coalition adds the $9B Illinois quantum park to its fight for environmental and housing justice - The TRiiBE - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says a line her mom used to repeat about parenting always stuck with her - Business Insider - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Rewind: Did Trump claim in 2011 that Obama would start war with Iran to get elected? - Snopes.com - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Obama will start a war with Iran to win re-election: Amid US strikes on Tehran, Donald Trumps old twe - Times of India - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Did Netanyahu coerce Trump into attacking Iran? No but he tried with Obama - The Forward - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]