Former President Barack Obama returned to the election campaign on Wednesday, launching a searing attack on Donald Trump less than two weeks before the Republican president’s election day showdown with Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
Speaking at a drive-in theater in Philadelphia on behalf of Biden, his former vice president, Obama offered his fierce criticism thus far of his successor, pointing to Trump’s divisive rhetoric and his record in the Oval Office.
“He has shown no interest in getting the job done or helping anyone but himself,” Obama said.
Obama, who ruled for two terms and remains one of the most popular figures in the Democratic Party, criticized Trump for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the president himself had been a victim of the virus.
“Donald Trump is not going to suddenly protect us all,” he said. “You can’t even take the basic steps to protect yourself.”
Obama’s appearance filled a void left by Biden, who has been staying home in Delaware since Monday for meetings and preparations ahead of his Thursday debate with Trump in Nashville, Tennessee.
The drive-in was held in the parking lot of Citizens Bank Park, the ballpark in Philadelphia, with the city skyline visible in the distance. It was the largest event of its kind that Biden’s campaign has organized amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The nearly 280 vehicles were distributed throughout the lot, with giant screens placed so that attendees could see the former president.
With a recent Reuters / Ipsos poll showing Biden just 4 percentage points ahead in Pennsylvania, Obama warned Democrats against complacency.
“We have to go out like never before,” he said. “We cannot leave any doubt in this election.”
Four years ago, Obama participated in a rally in Philadelphia with then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton the day before the election, only to see Trump narrowly take over the state. Biden’s campaign sees winning there as a top priority.
Americans are voting early at a record rate this year, with 42 million ballots cast by mail and in person ahead of the Nov.3 election out of concerns about the coronavirus and to make sure their votes are counted.
The early voting record so far represents about 30% of the total votes cast in 2016, according to the Electoral Project of the University of Florida in the United States.
After Obama spoke, Trump held a rally in North Carolina, another battleground state where opinion polls show a close race.
Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris was also in North Carolina to mobilize voters in Asheville and Charlotte.
Best ally
Although Wednesday marked the Obama campaign debut in 2020, his support has been essential for Biden. He has appeared at joint fundraising events with Biden and Harris, and his network of well-connected former aides has been instrumental in helping the campaign surpass Trump in obtaining donations.
The Biden campaign is hopeful that Obama will commit to more events before the election.
The final days of the campaign take place amid a surge in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in battle states, including North Carolina and Pennsylvania, but also Wisconsin, Ohio and Michigan.
Pennsylvania has averaged 1,500 new cases a day over the past week, a level it hasn’t seen since April, according to a Reuters analysis. North Carolina has averaged 2,000 new cases per day for the past week, its highest level to date. The virus has claimed the lives of more than 221,000 people in the United States.
Polls show that most voters are disappointed in the way Trump has handled the pandemic, which he has repeatedly said would go away on its own.
Biden and Trump are scheduled to meet for their second and final debate Thursday night, giving the Republican a chance to turn the tide of a career that Biden is leading in national polls.
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