Democrats see Obama as their closer against Trump

Democrats are hoping former President Obama will help move the needle in the tight presidential race between Vice President Harris and former President Trump. 

Obama is expected to be a major force in the final weeks of the campaign, appearing in key battleground states including Pennsylvania, where he will stump for Harris on Thursday.  

Democrats, who have been eagerly awaiting Obama’s entrance on the campaign trail for weeks, say he — more than anyone — can help make the case for the vice president at a time when she most needs it.

“He does still pack a punch, and that is why despite the hand-wringing and complaining each cycle, they wait until the end so that he’s not overused and has the most impact,” Democratic strategist Eddie Vale said.

Vale compared the Democrats’ elder statesman to Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Mariano Rivera, who was often brought in at the end of tight games to secure Yankees wins. 

“You bring in Obama as the closer and, like Rivera, no matter how old he is, when [Metallica’s] ‘Enter Sandman’ starts blaring, the crowd goes nuts.” 

Those familiar with Obama’s campaign “blitz” say the former president won’t simply focus on presidential rallies. He will also be actively involved in key Senate and House races. This week, for example, he began to appear in ads endorsing Democrats in close races including former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (Fla.), who is running for Senate in Florida, and Rep. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.), who is up for a Senate seat in Michigan. 

“In the Situation Room, Elissa delivered national security briefings on some of the toughest issues we were dealing with,” Obama says in the ad, which is set to appear on airwaves throughout the state. “That’s why I sent Elissa to negotiate on my behalf, because she understood when to compromise and when to stay firm.” 

Obama is also expected to cut other ads and record robocalls for other candidates, in addition to signing his name on fundraising emails and making stops on the campaign trail. 

“President Obama believes the stakes of this election could not be more consequential and that is why he is doing everything he can to help elect Vice President Harris, Governor [Tim] Walz and Democrats across the country,” said Eric Schultz, Obama’s senior adviser. “His goals are to win the White House, keep the U.S. Senate and take back the House of Representatives. 

“Now that voting has begun, our focus is on persuading and mobilizing voters, especially in states with key races,” Schultz added. “Many of these races are likely to go down to the wire and nothing should be taken for granted.”

A source familiar with Obama’s efforts said that overall, the grassroots fundraising content and events signed by or featuring the former president have generated more than $76 million during the presidential election. This summer, Obama also headlined fundraising events for the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, as well as the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. 

Political observers say Obama’s efforts can help appeal to independent voters who haven’t yet decided on a candidate.

“Across battlegrounds and for down-ballot candidates, Obama recording an ad or signing a fundraising email can energize supporters, persuade voters or bring campaign cash in the door,” Democratic strategist Tim Hogan said. “In an all-hands-on-deck final push like this, his decision to blitz the campaign trail is beyond consequential for the party.” 

Strategists say Obama, the country’s first Black president, can also play an instrumental role in courting young Black men, a demographic that to date has been lukewarm on Harris. 

Trump has increased his standing with Black men in recent months, causing Harris to fall behind where former candidates Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden stood with the voting bloc in 2016 and 2020, respectively. 

“Maybe the biggest benefit Obama brings is that he’s a great messenger to other men of color who’ve been courted by Trump’s false machismo,” Democratic strategist Christy Setzer said. “There’s no one in the party who counteracts Trump’s fake toughness better.”

During his speech at the Democratic National Convention in August, Obama, invoking his campaign’s 2008 theme of hope, sought to make the case that Harris’s campaign is the successor his own and that the country is “ready for a new chapter. Ready for a better story.” 

Obama’s speech followed another Democrat who some say may have even more star power on the campaign trail: his wife.

And political observers say former first lady Michelle Obama, who delivered the most memorable speech of the convention, could help put Harris over the top. 

“Oh she should be everywhere. Everywhere all at once,” said Susan Del Percio, the longtime Republican surrogate who does not support Trump. “She’s just so effective. And she’s a great motivator on so many issues but especially reproductive rights. 

“She’s really the superstar,” Del Percio said.