“Former President Barack Obama is heading to Ohio to shore up support for Democratic candidates in the Senate and governor’s races, both of which have been highly competitive and brought a flood of campaign cash into the state,” the Chicago Tribube reports.
Another Bonus Quote of the Day
“When I was at the opening of the Obama Library, which I hope you all get to visit. And, you know, Bill and I were up there with the former presidents and first ladies, and was sitting behind, you know, Barack and Michelle and their daughters. So, when Michelle gave that very touching and clever speech about all the things that her husband had done that the other guy hasn’t, and when she got to, and then, you know, the Nobel Peace Prize, I just burst into laughter.”
— Hillary Clinton, quoted by NewsNation.
Obama Cuts an Ad for Abdul El-Sayed
“Former President Barack Obama is out with a new ad backing Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Politico reports.
Says Obama, in the new ad: “Abdul’s a doctor, and he’s taken on special interests to fight for good jobs, better health care, and lower costs. Abdul has never taken corporate money. He understands that health care is a human right, and he thinks we should invest here instead of wasting money on endless wars.”
Obama Cuts Ad in Mississippi Senate Race
“Former President Barack Obama has cut an ad for Mississippi Senate candidate Scott Colom, the latest sign of Democrats putting real effort behind boosting their candidate in the deep red state as they eye a potential upset next month,” Semafor reports.
“The Colom campaign will run the 30-second spot on digital and radio statewide in Mississippi as part of a seven-figure media buy in Mississippi, according to details shared first with Semafor.”
Abdul El-Sayed Walks Back Obama Criticism
“Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed disavowed a 2012 opinion piece criticizing what he said were ‘failures’ by President Barack Obama during his first term in office,” the Washington Post reports.
Said El-Sayed: “I was younger. And I was angry about circumstances. That’s 2012 now, so it’s 2026, 14 years on. You grow up and you start to appreciate just how hard change is and how important it is to pick up and push.”
The Guardian: Why Abdul El-Sayed might not be winning Black voters.
Obama Warns Races Are ‘On the Razor’s Edge’
“With less than a month until Election Day, former President Barack Obama is sharply increasing his role in the midterm elections, raising money, cutting ads and hitting the campaign trail as Democrats press into territory he says he never expected to compete in,” ABC News reports.
Said Obama: “I don’t want anybody to think this is a sure thing. It’s not. We could end up, all these races that are showing we’ve got a two- or three-point lead or it’s a tossup, we could end up losing all of them by two points.”
Bonus Quote of the Day
“I’ll be honest with you: I never imagined some of the stuff that’s been going on in our country lately. But I am energized by the millions of Americans who are taking a stand and demanding change, even when it’s hard. That’s what hope is all about.”
— former President Obama, quoted by CBS News.
Obama Returns as Closer-in-Chief
“Former President Barack Obama is set to reprise his nearly decadelong, post-presidential career as the Democratic Party’s closer-in-chief — not just on the campaign trail, but on the airwaves, too,” Politico reports.
“Last week, Obama cut ads for 24 Senate and gubernatorial campaigns… Expect them on your screens soon.”
“The 44th president is not only his party’s most enduringly popular figure, but also the most popular living president, boasting 57% favorability.”
Barack Obama to Campaign with Abdul El-Sayed
“Former President Barack Obama will campaign with Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in Detroit later this month, the Michigan Senate hopeful announced on Monday,” the Washington Sun reports.
“The rally will also feature Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson, and falls on the first day of Michigan’s mandatory early in-person voting period.”
MS NOW: Abdul El-Sayed and Elissa Slotkin have their differences — and argue their common ground is more important.
Obama Pushes Democrats to Focus On AI
“Former President Barack Obama warned during a recent private fund-raising event that artificial intelligence technology could be ‘dangerous’ if not properly managed, as he implored Democrats to aggressively develop political and governing agendas to prioritize the issue in the coming years,” the New York Times reports.
Obama to Headline Fundraiser with Jeffries in New York
“Former President Barack Obama will headline a fundraiser for House Democrats on Sept. 10 in New York with Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leader, as Democrats try to restock their political war chest before the final sprint to the fall midterm elections,” the New York Times reports.
“Mr. Obama is set to attend a reception and dinner, with proceeds going to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.”
“The dinner is set for the second night of Republicans’ unusual two-day midterm convention in Dallas, which President Trump pushed for as an effort to mobilize his party’s voters.”
A New Search for Barack Obama’s Tan Suit
Deadline: “There’s a special anniversary coming up on August 28: It’ll be 12 years since Barack Obama wore a tan suit to a press conference at the White House, creating a sartorial stir that has since become an ongoing joke about what generated controversy back then vs. the chaos of today.”
“What’s a mystery is just what happened to the suit.
The Chicago Sun-Times is launching ‘Pursuit of the Suit,’ an effort to track down just what happened to the outfit.
Barack Obama Launches a New Podcast
“Former president Barack Obama, an avid book reader, will host a new podcast starting next month to talk with guests about volumes that have affected them,” the Washington Post reports.
Said Obama: “At a time when fewer people are able to sit down with a book, it’s important to remember the joy and power that can come from reading. And some books don’t just tell a story — they change the way we see the world.”
Obama to Headline Democratic Redistricting Fundraiser
“Former President Barack Obama will hold a fund-raiser in late August for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, a fresh sign that Democrats intend to continue their aggressive push to gerrymander congressional districts ahead of the 2028 election,” the New York Times reports.
Obama once made ending partisan gerrymandering a signature cause of his post-presidency. Now he’s helping Democrats become more effective at it.
Lara Trump Spreads Misinformation on Obama Center
“Lara Trump has come under fire after claiming the recently opened Obama Presidential Center was funded by taxpayer dollars,” The Wrap reports.
“However, per the Chicago Sun-Times, the center was funded entirely through private donations, including $125 million from AirBnB co-founder Brian Chesky and $100 million from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.”
George W. Bush, Michelle Obama’s Friendship on Display
“The friendship between former first lady Michelle Obama and former President George W. Bush was on display again Thursday at the Obama Presidential Center’s opening ceremony in Chicago,” CBS News reports.
“Ahead of the ceremony, Bush gifted Obama a tin of Altoids in a callback to one of their viral moments at the funeral for Sen. John McCain in 2018. The former president was caught sneaking Obama what was later said to be a cough drop during the funeral.”
Michelle Obama’s Speech Moves Her Husband to Tears
“Former first lady Michelle Obama delivered a loving and heartfelt tribute to her husband at the Obama Presidential Center’s grand opening ceremony in Chicago Thursday,” CBS News reports.
Said Mrs. Obama: “You told me all those years ago that you couldn’t promise me the world, but you could promise me an interesting life and of course you outdid yourself and managed to give me both.”
Obama Center Opens with Star Power and Democratic Elite
“The opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on Thursday will be a celebration of the legacy of former President Barack Obama and his accomplishments,” CNBC reports.
“The star-studded event that will feature an address from Obama and performances by Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and Jennifer Hudson is also expected to be the biggest gathering of donors, fundraisers and business leaders aligned with the Democratic Party ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.”
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Taegan Goddard
Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.
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