Former President Barack Obama went after former President Donald Trump’s record and behavior, and urged voters to cast their ballots for Vice President Kamala Harris, during a rally in Pittsburgh Thursday night.
Obama acknowledged the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation have had on Americans and why it could lead some to want something different from their government.
“I get it, why people are looking to shake things up. I mean, I am the hopey-changey guy. So I understand people feeling frustrated and feeling we can do better,” Obama said. “What I cannot understand is why anybody would think that Donald Trump will shake things up in a way that is good for you.”
He said Harris is “as prepared for the job as any nominee for president has ever been.”
Before the rally at the University of Pittsburgh, Obama visited Harris’ campaign field office in the city and addressed concerns he had heard about a lack of voter turnout for Harris, particularly among Black men.
“Part of it makes me think — and I’m speaking to men directly — part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that,” Obama said.
He also criticized Trump’s frequent verbal take-downs and the perception that they are signs of strength.
“You’re thinking about sitting out or supporting somebody who has a history of denigrating you, because you think that’s a sign of strength, because that’s what being a man is? Putting women down? That’s not acceptable,” Obama said.
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