PITTSBURGH — Rallying for Kamala Harris, former President Barack Obama spoke on to American males and characterised Donald Trump as mendacious and self-centered, saying he doesn’t symbolize “actual energy.”
“I’m sorry, gents, I’ve observed this particularly with some males who appear to assume a few of Trump’s habits — the bullying and the placing individuals down — is an indication of energy. And I’m right here to inform you: That’s not what actual energy is. It by no means has been,” Obama stated, drawing heavy applause from the Democratic crowd.
“Actual energy is about working exhausting. And carrying a heavy load with out complaining. Actual energy is about taking accountability in your actions and telling the reality even when it’s inconvenient,” he stated. “Actual energy is about serving to individuals who want it and standing up for individuals who can’t all the time arise for themselves. That’s what we should always need for our daughters and our sons, and that’s what I wish to see in a president of america of America.”
Obama stated Harris and her working mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, symbolize the “character” and “values” a president ought to have.
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Election surveys recommend a large gender hole, displaying Harris profitable girls by massive margins whereas scuffling with males. Some Democratic strategists fear they danger shedding slices of younger males, Latino males and even Black males, who’ve expressed openness to Trump or low enthusiasm about voting.
Obama took explicit umbrage at Trump’s spreading false claims in regards to the authorities’s response to hurricane victims and expressed bafflement that some contemplate Trump to be robust.
“I wish to ask Republicans on the market, people who find themselves conservative, who didn’t vote for me, didn’t agree with me,” he stated. “When did that develop into OK? Why would we associate with that?”
He added: “Even for those who had a member of the family who acted like that, you would possibly nonetheless love them, however you’d inform them you bought an issue. And also you wouldn’t put them in control of something. And but when Donald Trump lies or cheats or exhibits utter disregard for our Structure, when he calls POWs losers or fellow residents vermin, individuals make excuses for it. They assume it’s OK.”
Obama is especially centered on reaching African American males within the remaining weeks earlier than the election, a supply conversant in his pondering stated. “They’re undoubtedly a focused constituency for him for the following 26 days.”
Earlier than the rally, Obama spoke to volunteers and expressed his issues extra explicitly.
“We’ve got not seen the identical sorts of power and turnout in all quarters of our neighborhoods and communities as we noticed after I was working. Now, I additionally wish to say that that appears to be extra pronounced with the brothers,” he stated, based on a pool report.
“A part of it makes me assume that, properly, you simply aren’t feeling the concept of getting a girl as president, and also you’re arising with different options and different causes for that,” he stated. “You’re arising with every kind of causes and excuses. I’ve bought an issue with that.”
He known as on them to “communicate to individuals on the sidelines” and urge them to not contemplate “sitting out or supporting any individual who has a historical past of denigrating you since you assume that’s an indication of energy.”
“As a result of that’s what being a person is? Placing girls down?” Obama instructed them. “That’s not acceptable.”
CORRECTION (Oct. 11, 2024, 1:14 p.m. ET): A earlier model of this text misquoted former President Barack Obama. He stated, “And carrying a heavy load with out complaining,” not, “And carrying a heavy load is about complaining.”
Tara Prindiville contributed.