🗳️ "Don't Vote for Someone Who Doesn't Respect You": Obama's Powerful Message
🏥 Healthcare Showdown: Affordable Care Act vs. Trump's "Concept of a Plan" 🌟 Character Matters: Obama Invokes McCain's Memory in Leadership Discussion
🗣️ Notable quotes from the speech
"Have you seen him lately? He's out there. He's given two, two and a half hour speeches, just word salads. You have no idea what he's talking about." - Obama on Trump's recent public appearances, criticizing his coherence.
"When I handed over the economy to Donald Trump, we had had 75 straight months of job growth, and I said, here you go. And all he did with it was give a tax cut to people who did not need one and drove up the deficit in the process." - Obama on Trump's economic policies, asserting that Trump inherited a strong economy.
"We do not need to see what an older, loonier Donald Trump looks like with no guard rails." - Obama contrasting Kamala Harris's readiness for the presidency with Trump's potential second term.
"Don't vote for somebody who does not respect you. Don't vote for somebody who makes fun of people because they're not like them. Don't pray on people who are weaker than you. It's about values. It's about character." - Obama urging voters to consider character and values when voting.
"My question is, when did that become okay?" - Obama questioning the acceptance of misinformation and divisive political behavior.
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
🎤 Former President Obama gave a big speech in Tucson! 🇺🇸 He talked about why he thinks Kamala Harris would be a good president and why Donald Trump wouldn't. 😊 Obama said it's important to have a leader who tells the truth and cares about everyone. 💡 He told funny stories to explain why some of Trump's ideas don't make sense. 🗳️ Obama wants people to vote for leaders who have good plans to help families and make the country better. He says it's not just about what leaders say they'll do, but also about being a good person who respects others.
🗝️ Takeaways
📊 Obama criticized Trump's economic plans, especially proposed tax cuts for the wealthy
🏥 He defended the Affordable Care Act and mocked Trump's lack of a concrete healthcare plan
👍 Strong endorsement of Kamala Harris, praising her concrete plans and readiness for presidency
🌉 Addressed immigration, criticizing Trump's approach and failure to solve border issues
🗽 Emphasized the importance of character and values in leadership
❗ Warned about the dangers of misinformation and its real-world consequences
🗳️ Urged voters to consider both policies and character when casting their ballots
Obama Rallies Tucson: A Call for Character, Concrete Plans, and Democratic Values
Former President Obama returned to Tucson, Arizona, on October 18, 2024, delivering a fiery speech that blended humor, sharp criticism, and a call for democratic values.
Obama wasted no time in calling out Donald Trump, mocking his recent public appearances and economic plans.
"Have you seen him lately?" Obama quipped, "He's out there. He's given two, two and a half hour speeches, just word salads. You have no idea what he's talking about." He humorously added, "You would be worried if your grandpa was acting like this."
On the economic front, Obama criticized Trump's proposal for another tax cut benefiting the wealthy, reminding the audience that Trump had inherited a strong economy from his administration.
"When I handed over the economy to Donald Trump, we had had 75 straight months of job growth, and I said, here you go. And all he did with it was give a tax cut to people who did not need one and drove up the deficit in the process," Obama stated.
The former president didn't hold back when discussing healthcare, defending the Affordable Care Act and mocking Trump's vague promises.
"Now, papers do, and you just write on a sheet of paper the concept of a plan," Obama joked, comparing Trump's approach to a student's excuses for not completing assignments.
Obama strongly endorsed Kamala Harris for president, praising her concrete plans to address housing costs, healthcare, and middle-class tax cuts. He contrasted Harris's readiness with Trump's approach, saying,
"We do not need to see what an older, loonier Donald Trump looks like with no guard rails."
On immigration, Obama acknowledged the real issues at the border but criticized Trump's approach. He pointed out Trump's failure to solve the problem during his presidency and his opposition to a recent bipartisan border deal.
"Because he figured that if you passed it, he would not be able to engage in the same kind of fear-mongering that he's been doing," Obama explained.
A significant portion of Obama's speech focused on the importance of character in leadership. He shared personal anecdotes and invoked the memory of John McCain to illustrate the kind of integrity he believes is lacking in Trump's leadership.
"We have a broader idea of freedom," Obama stated, contrasting Democratic values with Trump's approach.
Obama expressed concern about the spread of misinformation, citing recent examples related to hurricane relief efforts.
He questioned the acceptance of such behavior, asking, "My question is, when did that become okay?"
Throughout his speech, Obama urged the audience to vote, volunteer, and engage in conversations about the election. He stressed the importance of policies and values, concluding,
"Don't vote for somebody who does not respect you. Don't vote for somebody who makes fun of people because they're not like them. Don't pray on people who are weaker than you. It's about values. It's about character."
Obama's speech in Tucson was a powerful reminder of the stakes in the upcoming election. It presented a clear contrast between the Democratic vision for America and what he sees as the dangers of a potential second Trump presidency. With his characteristic blend of humor, sharp critique, and inspiring rhetoric, Obama made a compelling case for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot, urging Arizonans to make their voices heard through their votes.
Obama's Jab at the Trump Bible: Mocking Merchandise over Message
In a particularly pointed segment of his speech, Barack Obama took aim at Donald Trump's latest merchandise venture: the Trump Bible. With his characteristic blend of humor and criticism, Obama used this example to highlight what he sees as Trump's prioritization of self-promotion and profit over genuine public service.
"This is my favorite," Obama said sarcastically, setting up his critique. "He's got the Trump Bible. Wants you to buy the word of God, Donald Trump Edition." The former president's tone dripped with incredulity as he described the concept: "His name is going to be on there, embossed. Right next to Luke and Mark and Matthew."
Obama then delivered a punchline that drew attention to what he perceives as Trump's hypocrisy:
"And by the way, I will give you one guess. You could not make this stuff up. Where these Bibles are made." The implication was clear - the Trump Bibles are manufactured in China, despite Trump's frequent criticism of the country.
He drove this point home with a biting quip: "So Mr. Tough Guy on China, except when he can make a few bucks, hawking his Trump Edition Bibles."
This anecdote served multiple purposes in Obama's speech:
It painted Trump as more focused on merchandising than on substantive policy or leadership.
It suggested a disconnect between Trump's public stance on China and his business practices.
It implied a lack of reverence for religious texts, portraying Trump as willing to commercialize even sacred objects.
It provided a concrete, relatable example of what Obama sees as Trump's tendency to prioritize personal gain over public service.
By highlighting the Trump Bible, Obama sought to reinforce his larger argument about character in leadership, contrasting what he portrayed as Trump's self-serving approach with the values-driven leadership he believes the country needs.
Senator Mark Kelly
Senator Mark Kelly welcomed the crowd and reflected on the last time President Obama visited Tucson 13 years ago, shortly after the shooting that injured his wife, Gabby Giffords, and others. He emphasized the progress made since then and introduced Gabby Giffords to speak.
Kelly then spoke about the importance of the upcoming election, highlighting key issues such as abortion rights, the economy, and the need to move the country forward. He stressed the importance of voting early and volunteering for the campaign. Kelly emphasized his background as a Navy veteran and called for an "army" of volunteers to help get out the vote.
Gabby Giffords
Gabby Giffords gave a powerful speech about her personal journey. She spoke about her background in Arizona, her time in Congress, and the assassination attempt she survived in 2011. Giffords detailed her recovery process, learning to walk and talk again. She expressed gratitude to Joe Biden for his support during her recovery.
Giffords then pivoted to endorse Kamala Harris for president, praising her toughness and ability to stand up to various lobbies. She emphasized Harris's commitment to protecting abortion access and saving lives.
Governor Katie Hobbs
Governor Katie Hobbs focused on the high stakes of the upcoming election. She highlighted the threats to democracy, reproductive freedoms, and the economy. Hobbs reflected on her own narrow victory in the governor's race and the accomplishments of her administration, including repealing an abortion ban, canceling medical debt, and creating jobs.
Hobbs urged the crowd to get out the vote, emphasizing the importance of every single voter. She stressed the need to restore democracy, protect abortion rights, and potentially flip the Arizona legislature for the first time in over half a century.
Ruben Gallego
Congressman Ruben Gallego, running for the U.S. Senate, spoke about his Marine background and commitment to fighting for Arizonans. He emphasized the short timeframe until Election Day and encouraged early voting.
Gallego contrasted himself with his opponent, Kari Lake, criticizing her stance on abortion rights, Medicare, and immigration reform. He promised to protect abortion rights and fight for a better future for Arizona families.
Gallego highlighted his working-class background and his understanding of the struggles faced by everyday Arizonans. He closed by introducing former President Barack Obama to the stage.
All speakers emphasized the importance of voting and volunteering and the high stakes of the upcoming election, mainly focusing on issues like abortion rights, the economy, and protecting democracy.
☕ If you enjoyed this article, buy us a cup of coffee! We 🤎☕‼️
If this vote is about character then what kind of character keeps people out with”conflicting comments”? Two of us who had preregistered were kept out because of our tShirts that read” arms embargo now” and mine said in addition “20 Billion dollars and at least 50,000 dead— why arent we talking about genocide?” But no, not allowed in b/c no conflicting comments were allowed! Too bad i wasn’t with a Cheney— their conflicting comments would have been welcomed
Despite Obama's marvelous efforts, polls reveal that a large number of black and Hispanic men intend to vote for Trump (and other ReThuglicans): people who not only don't respect them but actually despise them!