Throughout the Trump era, whenever I post videos, I usually look for the shortest clips ever, because no one needs to listen to Donald Trump or his surrogates for more than, say, 50 seconds. But I’m posting a 30-minute video of Barack Obama speaking in Pennsylvania yesterday because people need to see the entire damn thing. Barry Obama has been doing virtual appearances here and there on behalf of the Biden-Harris campaign. Notably, his biggest speech (before this week) was his address at the Democratic National Convention, where his message was sadly simple: Donald Trump is incapable of being a custodian of democracy. Trump is incapable of being president.
For yesterday’s drive-in rally in Philadelphia, Obama once again blasted Trump for being an attention-seeking narcissist who treats the presidency like a reality show.
People are talking about the “Beijing Barry” part of the speech:
Former President Barack Obama made a fiery first in-person campaign appearance on behalf of Joseph R. Biden Jr. in Philadelphia on Wednesday, ridiculing President Trump for complaining about campaigning in Pennsylvania, contracting the coronavirus and hiding business dealings with China.
“We know that he continues to do business with China because he has a secret Chinese bank account. How is that possible?” Mr. Obama asked supporters who had been invited to hear him speak at a drive-in rally in the parking lot of a Philadelphia sports complex. He was referring to a recent New York Times report that revealed previously unknown financial holdings of the president’s — at a time when Mr. Trump is criticizing Mr. Biden’s ties to the country.
“Can you imagine if I had a secret Chinese bank account?” said the former president, wearing a blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up, his voice straining. “Can you imagine if I had a secret Chinese bank account when I was running for re-election?” He added, “They would’ve called me Beijing Barry.”
It is “not a great idea to have a president who owes a bunch of money to people overseas,” Mr. Obama said, adding that he had probably paid more in income taxes working a high school job at an ice-cream parlor than what Mr. Trump paid during each of his first two years as president — $750.
I miss him so much. And this, hitting Trump where it hurts: “By the way, his TV ratings are down. So you know that upsets him. But the thing is, this is not a reality show. This is reality. And the rest of us have had to live with the consequences of him proving himself incapable of taking the job seriously.” Barry had a lot of amazing zingers besides that too – Trump was in Erie, Penn a few days ago and Trump told the crowd that he wouldn’t have come if his campaign was doing better. So Obama told the Philly residents: “The president spent some time in Erie last night and apparently he complained about having to travel here. Then he cut the event short. Poor guy. I don’t feel that way. I love coming to Pennsylvania.”
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Getty.
It was indeed glorious. And that last photo with the mask, swoon. Lol.
My only complaint is that he was in Philly versus in a “Pennsyltucky” part of the state where I think people needed to hear this even more.
As a philadelphian, agreed, but he’s likely concerned about voter turnout in Philly rather than changing minds mid state (because if you’re really still undecided, aren’t you just afraid to say you’re voting for trump?)
Any undecided voter right now is someone who is afraid to say whom they are voting for……….
Ijc, Good points. I know it doesn’t make sense for him to go to Trump country. And I think you are exactly right about “undecided” voters. Sigh.
I love David Sedaris’s quote about undecided voters:
“To put [undecided voters] in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of $hit with bits of broken glass in it? To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked.”
He had a sitdown with a group of black men while in Philly. That was also a great conversation, but very different tone from this rally. There is a bit of concern about voter apathy and voter turnout for black men in particular, and Barack addressed that in particular–how change doesn’t happen overnight, you can’t immediately expect everything to be fixed in 4 years, and how it’s important for all of us to remain engaged. Barack did exactly what he needed to do in Pennsylvania.
Hillary needed 800,000 votes from the Philly area to win PA, she only got 500,000 in part because voters stayed home. Obama is exactly where he needs to be.
I agree, Mac. It is a better use of time inspire those already in agreement to get to the polls. Increasing turnout is much more effective than convincing people to change their minds.
Additionally, in the Clinton/Trump race there were about 12% undecideds that broke heavily for Trump in the end. I think it is only about 3% undecided voters this year, and far fewer supporting 3rd party candidates.
Vs
That goes both ways. You can be afraid your friends, family, work etc… will ostracize you for voting for trump, but like my household… we are afraid of putting a Biden/Harris sign on our lawn for fears of vandalism to our property.
This election is so important with swings to extremes it isn’t as simple as r vs. d
It wasn’t just this speech he was there for. He was also there to speak with Black males about the importance of voting and he laid into non voters during that talk as well.
Basically cut the BS purity test out.
That’s great. He is nothing if not the voice of reason and I hope they took his words to heart. And get tf out to vote for Joe!
@VS – I live in a town that went Trump in 2016. There are barely any political lawn signs out this year. Because these folks will probably vote Trump again but are embarrassed of supporting a fascist idiot, as they should be embarrassed. Or, my hope is that they’re going to vote Biden but don’t want anyone to know it. That’s fine. Keep it a secret. You don’t ever have to tell anyone. Just vote Biden.
My mother’s neighbor (in the same town), until recently, had all of the hard-right signs on his lawn. Trump, Pro-Gun sign, the racist snake flag. He’s got none of that now.
Isn’t the Don’t Tread on Me flag from a Northern state? I know the South has co opted it but I’m pretty sure it started in the north.
fluffy_bunny, it’s the Gadsden Flag, and Christopher Gadsden, the guy who designed it, was a wealthy slave-owning plantation owner and merchant from South Carolina who was a brigadier general in the Revolutionary War, and later Lieutenant Governor of SC. The flag was adopted by the Continental Marines in colonial times, so it wasn’t just a southern thing even back then, but its roots are in South Carolina. Historically speaking It’s very much a white man’s “Don’t Tread on Me.”
At this point, it feels as if it was a hundred years ago when this man was President. A very long lifetime ago. It’s such a surreal feeling watching him speak now. I do remember when he was President and spoke all the time. But I’ve aged a hundred hard years since then, so it’s a dim memory.
I could not agree more. Living in The Darkest Timeline is *so* draining- everything sucks and it’s one large-scale dumpster fire after another. I think the worst thing (for me, anyway) is finding out how deeply shitty so many people are. It’s not like I’ve ever had tons of faith in humanity, but DAMN.
This is what’s getting me down as well: discovering just how many people are deeply shitty at their core. They must have been hiding it all this time, but now they feel safe to let their inner shittiness shine.
I hear you on being dismayed with our fellow human beings. But I think the worst are the loudest (Trump, case I’m point) and hopefully we’re in the process of changing this and having a bit of an intellectual and emotional evolution.
It truly is a dark time. I cannot fathom why anyone would want four more years of Trump’s chaotic darkness.
So true. These past four years have been an endless hellscape.
I’m having a difficult time right now. I’m essentially doing the job of 2 people at work now, and that added stress along with the election madness is overwhelming. It is lovely to think back on the Obama years and how much less fraught they were.
Obama also said, “And with Joe and Kamala at the helm, you’re not going to have to think about the crazy things they said every day. And that’s worth a lot. You’re not going to have to argue about them every day. It just won’t be so exhausting.”
I’m really hoping we get there.
I’d almost forgotten how much I love and respect him. What a beautiful refresher course this was. Glad you posted the whole thing, Kaiser–there wasn’t a minute of it I’d cut.
I miss PBO SO MUCH! My God, I miss an educated, competent, caring and sane POTUS
I love how he also calls congress to the carpet as well. They all have to work together.
This was awesome. I also liked the part where he just straight out attacked Trump’s behavior and said how we wouldn’t accept it from a teacher, or a coach, or even a crazy uncle, but we accept it from him because “its who he is” and how we need to expect better.
Every point PBO made was true, and it was SO refreshing to hear a politician speaking clearly about what is currently happening. Trumpty Dumpty is about to have a BIG fall.
Watched it live and continue to be so impressed with Barak Obama. He’s so passionate, articulate, empathetic and REAL. I love how it looked like he was just ad libbing. He was everything a President should be. Not one snivelling, self-obsessed narcissistic bone in that guy’s body. He’s a Super-Surrogate for Joe. Fantastic!
I can’t stop watching this speech. My favorite part is I think the timing was intentional and they wanted to get under his thin skin the eve before the last debate. I expect him to be particularly unhinged tonight…
I love him dearly and he is such a true patriot. He will be responsible for saving our democracy. I’m back to being constantly worried about his safety. He is such a hero!!!!
Thank you, Mr. President, for the words and that waistline. ❤️
President Obama was on🔥🔥🔥🔥. Watched it live and then rewatched the video. Everything he said was on point and true. And you know he got under the Orange fools skin. I told my husband (a baseball fan) that Biden and Kamala were the starting pitchers and Obama is being utilized now as the closer. He’s here to help finish the game and get the win for the team. Obama is getting people Fired up and ready to go.
I miss him.
He is well spoken and smart. Remember when those skills came with holding the office of POTUS?
The Trump supporters are not gonna change their minds no matter what comes out, IMO.
As others have said, he is just so polished, intelligent, an excellent & dynamic orator, and a confidant commander-in-chief! One may argue about Obama being a perfect President or not (fine), but JFC, comparing the shit show of a President now, to this compassionate and powerful man…NO COMPARISON!!!
I missed hearing him speak!!!
That speech yesterday was a modern Gettysburg Address. I loved every minute of it, and I treasured remembering what it felt like when he was in charge. I think Biden is great, but part of his appeal is that we get Obama back. It won’t wipe out the memory of these horrible years, but it will surely help. I’ve already voted, and wish I could vote a hundred times.
I bet it felt reallllly good to get that off his chest after holding all that in for four years, especially the part about GOP having spent ten years attacking ACA with no replacement plan. It sure felt good to hear it!
Exactly- my husband pointed out that he was mad (not that mad Obama is really mad, but more disappointed dad) and didn’t hold back. Much of it is the same thing so many of us have been saying, but it is nice to hear a major politician with a national platform just put it out there so plainly! Esp b/c you know DT will care, even if he says he doesn’t. He hates PBO
Yes, it seems like he let out a little of the Anger Translator. And like his voice cracked a few times with disbelief. So comforting and soothing to hear him just lay it out there. Everything I’ve been thinking and feeling about that orange cretin.
Just finished my ballot and it’s ready to be dropped off tomorrow!
I watched both events he did yesterday, both were excellent in different ways. I wish I could’ve gone to the drive up rally. That was an excellent, enthusiasm building speech, and I think he got to say a lot of stuff he’s had to hold back for four years.
I love Pennsylvania and Obama. Granted I havent been to Pennsyltucky but adore Philly and Lancaster, and secretly want to buy property there someday. Then I can change my residency and voter blue in a swing state, plus be near farms. Maybe someday!!
I have missed Obama soooooo much! Love to hear his voice!
That was his best speech ever. I was mesmerized.
This was goood, he was on fire and I’m so glad he let it loose, I know he’s tried to reign it in, but we needed this!
I miss him so much.
I think what’s hard for some voters is that the last two Democrat presidents were gifted speakers. You’re not always going to have that and that’s okay. Vote Biden. Vote Orange Hitler out.
this speech is a work of art
I love his more relaxed post-presidential speaking style. What an amazing orator
I don’t have Twitter (#self-care), but has Baby Dumps initiated a Tweetstorm in response to this masterful speech yet? The whole time I was listening blissfully to the voice of a rational, intelligent human adult, I kept thinking, “oooohh, Baby Dumps gonna be MAAAAAD!”
This speech will go down in history as one of the best EVER.
Amazing speech. I miss my president
Come back Barrack!
💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
So THAT’S what whole sentences sound like. I had totally forgotten
damn, he makes a mask look good. To see a healthy, strong man with healthy strong values gets me kind of squishy inside. The contrast to the bloated orange buffoon is staggering.
On Morning Joe this morning, they had John Meachum, the historian, talking about how he was just at a loss (and he is a very erudite man) to explain how anyone this election could still vote for Trump. He and Joe were talking about the 49/51 split in one of the states. Joe said it was a simple choice now between a good man and a bad man and that is all it is down to now. Pick one. He went on to say how 90 percent of his friends are voting for Trump because even though they hate him as a person, and would never invite him into their home, they are voting for him because; and then would list things like the economy, regulations, etc. . Seriously?
None of that NONE of that matters now. All of those reasons that used to apply to how you would choose who to vote for no longer apply with this election.
What is has come down to is this: a good man or a bad man.
Pure fire! With the cars honking, it became pure americana. When he lets loose with the fire, the outrage, the unapologetic compassion for others – like at the John Lewis funeral – there is nothing better. And it shows why he was elected outright with no tricks or fraud, despite horrendous racism existing.
I didn’t expect hearing his famous chant of “fired up and ready to go” to make me emotional but it did. Dear lord, please let this election bring us a new president.
Just a reminder that if Biden wins we’ll still have a Republican in the White House. He’s a war criminal and a strong proponent of mass incarceration.
What we WON’T have in the white house if Biden wins, is the fascist dictator we have now.
Go Shooo troll @Tholly
We owe so much to Barack Obama. What a fantastic person he is.
This man is America’s glory. I love him so much. And he is swoon-worthy (not that that . . . disclaimer about looks not mattering and they don’t, but wow!) I’ve never seen him look better. He is a powerhouse speaker. He DID the hard work and he’s still doing it. Perfection doesn’t get much better than this.
The best line was when he said they left Trump a handbook on how to handle a pandemic, and it was likely being used to “prop up a wobbly table somewhere in the White House” lmao!!! Solid burn Barack. I loved seeing this side of Obama.