‘No Drama Obama’ Is Gone

First Read: “It was extraordinary to hear former President Barack Obama slam his successor and warn that America’s democracy is on the line in November. It was also extraordinary that it was hard finding observers – including Trump defenders – denying Obama’s accusations.”

“In fact, Trump’s own tweets responding to Obama only seemed to prove the 44th president’s point.”

He has shown no interest in putting in the work. No interest in finding common ground. No interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends. No interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves.

“Obama’s remarks served to other-ize Trump – similar to what Trump does to his opponents.”

“There was one Democratic convention speech that everyone remembered from 2012, and that was Bill Clinton’s defense of Obama and his attacks on Mitt Romney’s fiscal plans. And eight years later, the smart money is that there will be one Democratic convention speech from a previous president that everyone will remember from 2020.”

Michael Beschloss: “No former President has ever attacked his incumbent successor at a convention like Barack Obama tonight, or even come close.”