Obama implores Virginia Democrats to wake up ahead of governor's race
CNN
Former President Barack Obama urged voters to shake off their exhaustion with politics during his first in-person foray onto the campaign trail in 2021, telling voters in Virginia that "we can't afford to be tired."
Obama, in remarks supporting Virginia's Democratic gubernatorial nominee Terry McAuliffe, lambasted his opponent Glenn Youngkin, repeatedly mocking the Republican for a disconnect between how he casts himself and what his policies and private comments say about him. The former president also slammed Republicans for looking to curb voting, asking rhetorically, "What are they so afraid of?"
"You can't run ads telling me you are a regular old hoops-playing, dish-washing, fleece-wearing guy, but quietly cultivate support from those who seek to tear down our democracy," Obama said, hitting Youngkin for the Republican rally earlier this month where organizers pledged allegiance to a flag that was said to be used at the January 6 insurrection. Former President Donald Trump called into the rally, but Youngkin did not appear at the event.
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