Former United States President Barack Obama has called on voters to reject President Donald Trump’s leadership, accusing his administration of economic mismanagement, corruption and poor policy decisions ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Obama made the remarks on Saturday during a campaign rally in Cleveland, Ohio, where he rallied support for Democratic candidates seeking to challenge Republicans in key congressional and gubernatorial races.
The former president urged Americans dissatisfied with the current administration to use their votes to demand political change, describing the past two years under Trump as a period marked by what he called chaos, cruelty, corruption and incompetence.
“After two years of chaos and cruelty and corruption and incompetence, the likes of which we have not seen in the modern era, you get a chance to say, ‘Enough is enough,’” Obama told supporters.
He added that Ohio voters had an opportunity to help bring about change by backing Democratic candidates in the forthcoming elections.
The former president also criticised Trump’s handling of the economy, particularly the rising cost of living and increasing fuel prices, which have become major concerns for voters.
Obama blamed the administration’s decisions for worsening economic pressures, singling out what he described as an unnecessary war that had contributed to the difficulties facing Americans.
“The current president chose to make a series of bad decisions,” Obama said, adding that the president had started “an unnecessary war that nobody asked for.”
Beyond his criticism of the administration, Obama urged voters to take advantage of early voting, warning against delaying their participation in the electoral process.
“Don’t procrastinate, don’t equivocate,” he told the crowd.
Obama’s campaign appearances form part of a broader Democratic effort to mobilise supporters and improve the party’s chances of securing control of Congress. His continued popularity among Democratic voters has made him an important figure in the party’s efforts to energise its electoral base.
In Ohio, former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown is seeking a political comeback against incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted. The state’s gubernatorial contest will also feature Democrat Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate.
Polling cited in the report suggests Democrats have a narrow advantage in both Ohio contests, although the races remain competitive.
At the national level, Democrats are also seeking to regain control of the House of Representatives, while the battle for the Senate is expected to be more difficult.
Following his appearance in Cleveland, Obama was scheduled to travel to Detroit, Michigan, to campaign alongside Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who is facing Republican Mike Rogers in a closely contested race.
The campaign events underscore the importance both parties attach to the midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress and shape the political environment for the remainder of Trump’s presidency.
