Barack Obama is reprising the slogan that helped him win the White House as he throws his weight behind Democrats in the battle for control of the House and Senate.
“I am energized by the millions of Americans who are taking a stand and demanding change, even when it’s hard,” the former president, 65, says in a video message released by the party on Friday. “That’s what hope is all about.”
He goes on to say that “I’m asking you today to use that hope to make a difference,” and to “help Democrats win one of the most consequential elections in our country’s history.”
“The most powerful office in this country has always been citizen,” he concludes. “And right now, every one of us can help turn hope into action.”
Obama, who campaigned on “Hope” in 2008 and who polls say remains the nation’s most popular living president, also used his video address to make a not-so-subtle jab at his Republican successor.
“I never imagined some of the stuff that’s been going on in our country lately,” he said, without mentioning Donald Trump, 80, by name.
The former president has come out swinging in support of his party ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms, where Trump’s plummeting approval ratings have helped Democrats gain an already 9-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot.
Obama’s fundraising efforts have brought more than $13.6 million for the party’s war chest over the past year, CBS reported on Friday ahead of his endorsement of Gov. Josh Shapiro, who’s running for re-election in Pennsylvania.
It followed his public backing of Senate nominee Troy Jackson in Maine and Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, along with gubernatorial hopefuls Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia and David Crowley in Wisconsin, on Thursday.
The former president’s team says his ads endorsing those candidates are just a handful among two dozen he’s cut for candidates across the country, with his strategy “driven by where he can move the needle with Democrats and persuadable voters, particularly in the states with key races.”
He has made public appearances in support of Senate nominee James Talarico and gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa in Texas, as well as would-be Iowa Senator Josh Turek, and plans to stump for Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and gubernatorial hopeful Jocelyn Benson in the coming weeks.
The Daily Beast contacted the White House and the Democratic National Committee for comment on this story.
“The American people elected President Trump in 2016 to Make America Great Again and turn the page on the failed Obama years,” White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said. “Barack Hussein Obama will go down as one of the most dishonest, divisive, and destructive Presidents in history.”
“Democrats are heading into November with the wind at our backs and momentum on our side, but we’re not taking anything for granted,” DNC chair Ken Martin said. “We are committed to reaching every voter and earning their vote by focusing on lowering costs and making life more affordable. President Obama’s support will motivate and mobilize voters in the home stretch and help Democrats across the country win in races up and down the ballot.”
