Former President Barack Obama made an impassioned plea to undecided voters in Wisconsin, underscoring the critical role the Badger State plays in Kamala Harris’s bid for the presidency. Speaking to a crowd of over 5,000 at Milwaukee’s Baird Center, Obama acknowledged the tight race, with many Americans still feeling the strain of economic challenges. “It’s going to be tight because a lot of Americans are still struggling,” he told the crowd, adding that he understands why people are seeking change, but questioned whether Trump could bring the kind of change they need.
Obama didn’t hold back in critiquing Trump’s record, framing him as self-serving and disinterested in the well-being of everyday Americans. For voters who feel the economy was stronger during Trump’s term, Obama reminded them, “It was my economy. I had spent eight years cleaning up the mess the Republicans left me.” He pointed to the sustained recovery following the 2008 financial crisis as evidence that the Obama-Biden administration laid the groundwork for economic growth long before Trump took office.
Obama: “Do you think Donald Trump has ever changed a tire in his life?”
When did tire changing become a cornerstone of political qualification?
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) November 4, 2024
Addressing those who see Trump as a successful businessman, Obama countered by citing Trump’s financial inheritance and history of bankruptcies. “The truth is Donald Trump was given $400 million by his daddy. That’s how he got rich and somehow his company still managed to declare bankruptcy six times,” Obama said, underscoring his view that Trump’s financial success is far from self-made.
For voters nostalgic for lower gas prices under Trump, Obama offered an explanation: prices dipped during the pandemic because “no one was driving.” He encouraged voters to look beyond temporary fluctuations and consider the broader economic policies and stability that the Democratic party seeks to provide.
If Trump changes a tire on stage today, he wins 49 states tomorrow. https://t.co/QfP79xnOm5
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) November 4, 2024
As immigration continues to be a hot-button issue in the race, with Trump using it to criticize Harris’s policies, Obama turned the question back on Trump. “Why didn’t he fix it?” he asked, referencing Trump’s four years in office with little significant immigration reform. Obama reminded voters that lasting progress takes long-term commitment, and solutions aren’t simply enacted overnight.
Obama also highlighted the impact of policies like the Affordable Care Act to remind voters of the meaningful change that can come from the right leadership. “Politics isn’t going to solve all of your problems, no matter how well-meaning your president might be,” he said, “but it can make a difference.” The ACA, he argued, was an example of progress that directly impacted millions of Americans by providing health coverage to those who previously lacked it.
Yes, prices skyrocketed and the border melted down under Kamala Harris.
But have you considered that Donald Trump may not have ever changed a tire?
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) November 4, 2024
