Barack is back – the Obamas are entering the US election campaign

Now he’s back in action: his gait is dynamic, his hair is now white. The familiar radiance flashes briefly, but from the start there is restlessness in his eyes, concern, something is bothering him.

Barack Obama, 63, stands on the stage of a university sports hall in the former industrial city of Pittsburgh in gray suit trousers and a blue shirt. The stands are full, 4,500 visitors. Behind him, as always, is the oversized US flag. The motto “Yes, She Can,” a variation of his famous 2008 campaign slogan, flickers across the large screen.

Trump as president – ​​a horror scenario for Obama

Actually, Obama has long wanted to be a kind of elder statesman, the grand seigneur of the Democrats, who only gets involved in emergencies and otherwise devotes himself to his own projects in the areas of film, philanthropy and self-marketing.

But this is now such an emergency: Kamala Harris’ election victory is in danger, indeed the entire country is in danger. Donald Trump stands at the door of the White House, this “bumbling billionaire,” as Obama calls him, “who can’t stop complaining about his own problems since he came down the golden escalator nine years ago.” It’s an idea that clearly bothers the ex-president.

And he hits hard where Trump is hit particularly hard: “This babbling and spreading of crazy conspiracy theories. These 2-hour speeches, word salads, like Fidel Castro. These constant attempts to sell you something. Who does that? “

Barack Obama makes fun of Trump – that’s his role now

Obama lists the most absurd things: gold Trump sneakers for $399, a Trump watch for $100,000 and the Trump Bible for $59.99. “He wants you to buy God’s Word, the Donald Trump edition. You can’t invent something like that.”

It is Obama’s first appearance in the election campaign, in the most important swing state of Pennsylvania. More are to follow in the other contested states. He should fix it again. It should drive people to the polls. It should motivate them to cast their vote now. “Early voting” has begun in many states, including Pennsylvania.

Where is Michelle Obama?

Michelle Obama should also get on board. At the party conference in Chicago, she showed how much enthusiasm she sparks among the grassroots. When Barack Obama briefly mentions them, cheers immediately break out in the hall and people demand their efforts. According to a survey by The Economist, she and her husband Barack are at the top of the popularity scale; more than 90 percent of Democrats adore the two. Nothing comes after them for a long time, neither Bill Clinton nor Hillary Clinton nor Joe Biden.

Kamala Harris needs the Obamas more than ever. The latest numbers aren’t good, and Democrats are starting to get nervous and even panicked. After her stellar start in August, Kamala Harris hit a plateau and can’t get over it. In September she was still ahead of her opponent in most polls, but for a few days now Trump has been overtaking in the most important states, albeit narrowly.

The mistrust towards her is still great. Many voters say they still can’t get an idea of ​​Harris. So Obama introduced her again in Pittsburgh: He called her a “leader who has spent her life fighting for the people who need a voice and an opportunity. Kamala is as well qualified for this job as any candidate before her.”

Obama identifies the problem: black men

When it comes to the most important election campaign topics, inflation and the economy, the latest figures actually look good, but Trump is ahead of her in the polls there too. On the subject of immigration anyway.

The survey results are particularly worrying among black men, including among Latinos. According to the New York Times, Harris has less support from them than Joe Biden did in 2020. Donald Trump is trying hard to win blacks and Latinos to his side, apparently with some success. According to a survey by the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), one in four black men under 50 support Trump, while Obama had more than 90 percent behind him.

The ex-president speaks openly about it and you can see his irritation. “I want to tell you a few truths,” he begins, pointing to reports that grassroots enthusiasm is low and that black men want to stay away from the vote. “Part of me thinks – and I’m speaking directly to you men – that you don’t like the idea of ​​a woman as president and come up with some other arguments and excuses.”

Not all African Americans like Obama’s criticism

Every now and then his African-American slang breaks through, with which he wants to signal closeness. “You’re thinking about sitting out the election or supporting someone who has slandered you multiple times because you think that’s a sign of strength, because that’s what makes a man? Putting women down? That’s not acceptable.”

Obama looks annoyed. He looks stunned. Maybe he goes a little too far. After his speech, some African-American leaders spoke out, criticizing his paternalism and paternalism. The problem is more white men, who support Trump with a large majority. The majority of black men support Harris.

But Obama is aware of this. He wants to focus on the topic, including the discussion about it: Is it possible that black voters, who made him the first black president, are abandoning the first black woman as a candidate and thus helping a confirmed racist to become president?

He still has a lot to do until November 5th.