Former President Barack Obama made a stop in Florida on Saturday afternoon to motivate local Democrats to get out the vote for Democratic nominee Joe Biden while slamming President Donald Trump in the process.
Speaking at the campus of Florida International University in North Miami, Obama pitched to a crowd at a drive-in rally, urging Floridians to vote for Mr. Biden and deliver an early knockout blow in the election.
“You delivered twice for me, Florida, and now I’m asking you to deliver for Joe and for Kamala [Harris],” Obama said.
Obama opened by delivering a familiar speech on Mr. Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“He doesn’t have a plan, and doesn’t take responsibility for what’s happening across the country,” he said. “The rest of us have to live with the consequences of what he’s done.”
Speaking from experience, Obama discussed the toll the job takes and rigors of conducting a presidential campaign. He went on to slam the President for walking out of a “60 Minutes” interview.
“Listen, Miami, if he can’t answer a tough question like ‘what would you like to do in your second term,’ then it’s up to us to see he doesn’t get a second term,” Obama said as thousands of cars honked their approval.
Obama’s speech covered several topics from the pandemic to health care to the environment, from education to the economy. He also made it a point to show how the Biden-Harris ticket would bring a sense of normalcy back to the nation.
While slamming Mr. Trump, he also praised the former Vice President for the job he’s done in his long career in politics.
“With Joe and Kamala at the helm, you won’t have to think about them every single day …. You won’t have to argue about them every day,” Obama said. “It won’t be so exhausting, just having a normal president.”
Mr. Trump’s unpredictable behavior was another topic brought up by the former President. Over the past few days, Mr. Trump has slammed California Senator Kamala Harris, the news media, and fellow Republicans who did not support him.
“There are consequences when a president behaves that way,” Obama said. “It emboldens others to be mean, and cruel, and divisive, and racist.”
Prior to appearing at the drive-in rally, Obama made a stop at the office of the United Teachers of Dade labor union. The volunteers were being instructed on the door-to-door efforts when Obama appeared wearing a black face mask that had the words “VOTE” in white.
“I just want you guys to know that you’re doing amazing work,” he said. “If you bring Florida home, this thing’s over.”
Florida has 29 electoral votes and is a must-win for President Trump. Several forecast models show if Biden wins the Sunshine State, Mr. Trump has no path to 270 electoral votes and would lose his re-election bid.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania is being called the “tipping point” state that could cross either candidate to 270. Mr. Biden leads in Pennsylvania by seven points, according to the latest polling numbers.
