Obama Steps in to Stump for an Embattled Clinton
News Sep 13 2016, 5:00 pm ET
Obama Steps in to Stump for an Embattled Clinton
by Aliyah Frumin and Ron Allen
After a rocky series of days, Hillary Clinton turned to her old boss for a little help.
President Barack Obama hit the campaign trail for his former secretary of state with a rally Tuesday in Philadelphia. It couldn't have come at a more crucial moment as Clinton's critics question the Democratic presidential nominee's transparency as she gets treated for pneumonia, takes heat for declaring half of rival Donald Trump's supporters are "deplorable" and as polls show Clinton's lead narrowing nationally.
"I could not be prouder of the leader we have nominated to take my place. So even though I've run my last campaign, I'm going to work as hard as I can this fall to elect Hillary Clinton as our next president of the United States of America" said Obama at the plaza in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
He also went after Trump, declaring the real estate mogul is offering America a dark, pessimistic vision.
"In election season you will often hear crazy stuff. But I gotta say this year we've been hearing a little more crazy than usual."
Obama continued as the crowd chanted "HILL-A-RY."
"What we have seen from the other side in this election, this isn't Abraham Lincoln's Republican Party. This isn't even the vision of freedom that Ronald Reagan talked about. They're not offering serious solutions. They're just fanning resentment and blame and anger and hate. And that is not the America we know. That's not the America I know," he said.
Obama is seen as Clinton's ace in the hole, especially with his 58 percent job approval rating.
The president could potentially re-energize Latinos and millennials—key voting blocs Obama has secured but a group Clinton has had a tougher time nailing down. Obama could be particularly effective in firing up young liberals who were excited about Bernie Sanders, but who see supporting Clinton as less "Yes we can" and more "Yes I guess we should."
Obama on Tuesday insisted, "I am really into electing Hillary Clinton. This is not me going through the motions here. I really, really, really want to elect Hillary Clinton," noting he knows firsthand how tough and hardworking she is from his tough primary battle against her in the 2008 election cycle and her consequent work for him as secretary of state.
Meanwhile, Obama said Trump is "Not really a plans guy, a fact guy."
Obama said he was floored by analysis he's read about working people supporting Trump.
"Really, this is the guy you want to be championing working people? this guy who spent 70 years here on this earth who spent no concern for working people," the president said. "Is this guy suddenly going to be your champion?"
President to Crowd: 'Thanks, Obama!' 1:38
Obama Steps in to Stump for an Embattled Clinton
by Aliyah Frumin and Ron Allen
After a rocky series of days, Hillary Clinton turned to her old boss for a little help.
President Barack Obama hit the campaign trail for his former secretary of state with a rally Tuesday in Philadelphia. It couldn't have come at a more crucial moment as Clinton's critics question the Democratic presidential nominee's transparency as she gets treated for pneumonia, takes heat for declaring half of rival Donald Trump's supporters are "deplorable" and as polls show Clinton's lead narrowing nationally.
"I could not be prouder of the leader we have nominated to take my place. So even though I've run my last campaign, I'm going to work as hard as I can this fall to elect Hillary Clinton as our next president of the United States of America" said Obama at the plaza in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
He also went after Trump, declaring the real estate mogul is offering America a dark, pessimistic vision.
"In election season you will often hear crazy stuff. But I gotta say this year we've been hearing a little more crazy than usual."
Obama continued as the crowd chanted "HILL-A-RY."
"What we have seen from the other side in this election, this isn't Abraham Lincoln's Republican Party. This isn't even the vision of freedom that Ronald Reagan talked about. They're not offering serious solutions. They're just fanning resentment and blame and anger and hate. And that is not the America we know. That's not the America I know," he said.
Obama is seen as Clinton's ace in the hole, especially with his 58 percent job approval rating.
The president could potentially re-energize Latinos and millennials—key voting blocs Obama has secured but a group Clinton has had a tougher time nailing down. Obama could be particularly effective in firing up young liberals who were excited about Bernie Sanders, but who see supporting Clinton as less "Yes we can" and more "Yes I guess we should."
Obama on Tuesday insisted, "I am really into electing Hillary Clinton. This is not me going through the motions here. I really, really, really want to elect Hillary Clinton," noting he knows firsthand how tough and hardworking she is from his tough primary battle against her in the 2008 election cycle and her consequent work for him as secretary of state.
Meanwhile, Obama said Trump is "Not really a plans guy, a fact guy."
Obama said he was floored by analysis he's read about working people supporting Trump.
"Really, this is the guy you want to be championing working people? this guy who spent 70 years here on this earth who spent no concern for working people," the president said. "Is this guy suddenly going to be your champion?"
President to Crowd: 'Thanks, Obama!' 1:38
As always, we would like to open this topic to the floor for discussion.