Former President Barack Obama had some blunt advice for Democrats still reeling from their 2024 losses: stop wallowing and start acting.
“I think it’s going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions. And it’s going to require Democrats to just toughen up,” he said at a recent fundraiser, according to remarks obtained by CNN.
And his message to those discouraged by the Trump administration? Don’t just talk — show up.
“Don’t tell me you’re a Democrat, but you’re kind of disappointed right now, so you’re not doing anything,” he said. “No, now is exactly the time that you get in there and do something. Don’t say that you care deeply about free speech and then you’re quiet. No, you stand up for free speech when it’s hard. When somebody says something that you don’t like, but you still say, ‘You know what, that person has the right to speak.’”
“What’s needed now is courage,” he added.
Obama also urged Democrats to focus their energy on the upcoming off-year elections rather than waiting for a political savior. One important contest is the governor’s race in New Jersey, where Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill is set to face Republican Jack Ciattarelli this fall.
“Stop looking for the quick fix. Stop looking for the messiah. You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates,” he said, emphasizing that these races can be “a big jumpstart for where we need to go.”
The fundraiser itself — hosted by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife, Tammy — pulled in $2.5 million for the Democratic National Committee, with a portion headed to support state races in New Jersey, CNN reported.
Obama’s remarks come at a shaky time for Democrats. The party is still searching for its footing in a GOP-dominated Washington, and recent polling isn’t helping morale. Just 40 percent of voters approve of how Democrats are doing, according to a Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll released July 14 — a slight dip from June.
Whether voters take Obama’s advice remains to be seen. But with key races on the horizon and party momentum lagging, Democrats may not have the luxury of waiting much longer to find their footing.
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