‘Most potent weapon’: Obama arrives to boost Democrats in battlegrounds

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Democrats are hoping Barack Obama — their “closer in chief” — still has the magic.

The former president certainly still had his magic with words on Saturday when he rallied with the Democrats’ Senate and gubernatorial candidates in Cleveland before another in Detroit.

“There’s gold everywhere. What’s up with the gold?” Obama said as he eviscerated President Donald Trump on everything from the Iran war and soaring costs of living to his penchant for taxpayer-funded home remodeling.

“He’s got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened up a Cheesecake Factory,” Obama said, electrifying the crowd at the Cleveland rally.

Democrats are breathing a sigh of relief, welcoming the blitz just 10 days before Election Day, with everything seemingly at stake.

“Obama’s our most potent weapon for sure,” said one House Democratic lawmaker, adding, “He remains the biggest star in our party. I think it’s a perfect time to send him on the road and activate him.”

Obama’s arrival on the campaign trail comes as Democrats make their closing messages on affordability and the economy and compete for voters in closely contested races. The Michigan and Ohio Senate races are currently rated as “toss ups” by MS NOW. Georgia’s Senate race is in the “lean Democrat” category.

“President Obama understands the stakes of this election could not be any higher, and that is why he’s doing everything he can to help Democrats up and down the ballot win on November 3,” Eric Schultz, a senior advisor to Obama, told MS NOW. “Our strategy is focused on maximizing his impact, especially where his voice can help move the needle in support of the next generation of leaders currently stepping up to lead.”

For candidates, his appeal goes beyond drawing a crowd: Democrats say Obama can deliver a closing argument that connects the high stakes of the election to voters’ everyday concerns, while drawing a sharp contrast with Republicans.

Plus, they say Obama is the closest thing Democrats have to match the magnetism Trump once had at the height of his packed MAGA rallies.

On the trail, the former president will focus on the high cost of living, including housing and energy prices. But he’s also highlighting corruption and abuse of power in Washington and the implications of artificial intelligence, according to a person familiar with Obama’s thinking.

The same person said Obama’s team worked with Democratic House, Senate and gubernatorial leadership to identify where his presence could be most beneficial in the most competitive Senate and gubernatorial races. The former Democratic president has raised over $15 million for his party, the person close to Obama said, through events, emails and mail campaigns.

His strategy has gone beyond rallies, filming more than two dozen endorsement videos to support Democratic candidates. Among those receiving the boosts are Iowa senate nominee Josh Turek and Troy Jackson, the nominee in Maine. He also made an appearance in Austin, Texas in May with the state’s Senate nominee James Talarico and gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa.

For candidates on the trail, Obama brings an unmatched enthusiasm that other Democrats can’t replicate.

“He does a really good job making closing arguments: why this moment is so important, why the election is so consequential, why everyone’s vote matters as much as it does,” Rep. Greg Landsman, an Ohio Democrat, said. “There’s very few that do it better than he does.”

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Obama joined Senate Democratic candidate Sherrod Brown and the state’s gubernatorial nominee, Amy Acton, at the rally in Cleveland Saturday afternoon before wooing voters for Michigan’s Senate Democratic nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, and gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson in the evening. He’s set to head south to Atlanta on Wednesday.

In an election cycle dominated by concerns about affordability and the economy, Landsman said Obama can draw a contrast between Democrats’ approach to the economy and health care and the policies Republicans have pursued over the past two years.

“He has the ability to talk about what you have to do to build a strong economy, which he did, versus what’s happened over the last two years,” Landsman said.

Trump will also campaign in the Great Lakes State this weekend, rallying voters in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday afternoon. He’s embarked on a more than 15 state campaign blitz in the month leading up to Election Day, hitting red states like Kentucky, Montana and Alabama while also hosting multiple rallies in battleground states like Texas, Ohio, Georgia and Iowa.

Obama’s role on the trail extends beyond energizing the party faithful.

Democratic Governors Association Communication Director Sam Newton said his presence can bring attention to races, including those for the governor’s mansion, that receive less national attention than contests for Congress.

His ability to reach voters who might otherwise tune out politics is another reason his appearances matter in the final stretch before Election Day, Newton said.

“Part of why President Obama is the closer in chief is because he’s always had a special and unique ability to draw attention from voters who are otherwise apathetic or not necessarily paying attention,” Newton said. “Having him on the trail at this critical time when you’re trying to reach every possible voter is really important.”

And although Obama may be their “most potent weapon,” he may have some competition.

“He’s just a rockstar,” said another House Democratic member. “The only more powerful closer we could possibly have is Michelle Obama.”

Mychael Schnell contributed to this report.

Hannah Marr

Hannah Marr is a desk associate for MS NOW.