Former president spoke to the heart of the Democratic Party, who still seeks a leader. But Obama says the party should start by looking for something before that: “What is needed now is courage”
Obama’s direct message to the Democrats: “Leave yourself with bullshit”
by Arlettte seasonsCNN
Former US President Barack Obama launched an appeal to the action for Democrats in a private funds raising on Friday in New Jersey, asking those who are frustrated with the state of the country under President Donald Trump to “defend things they find right.”
“I think it will require a little less to look at one’s navel and fewer complain and fetal positions. And it will require democrats to stop bullshit,” Obama said during the raising of funds, according to their exclusive statements by CNN Internacional.
“Don’t tell me they’re democrats, but they’re a little disappointed and they’re not doing anything. No, now it’s exactly the time to get into the scene and do something,” he said. “Do not say that they carefully care about freedom of expression and then silent. No, defend freedom of expression when it is difficult. When someone says something we do not like, but we still say, ‘They know more, that person has the right to speak’ … what is needed now is courage.”
Obama’s comments come at a time when the Democratic Party seeks the way to follow during Trump’s second term and beyond. Many party -based members have appealed to a more energetic response from Democratic leaders at a time when the party is out of power.
While the Democrats discuss those who should lead the party, Obama encouraged them to channel their energy to governors’ races in New Jersey and Virginia, saying that the elections outside the normal timing can be “a big leap where we need to go.”
“Stop looking for the quick solution. Stop looking for the Messiah. There are great candidates to compete at this time. Support these candidates,” Obama said, referring to the elections of New Jersey and Virginia, according to the excerpts of his speech.
“Ensure that the DNC (National Democratic Committee) has what it needs to compete in what will be a more oriented cycle, more social networks, which will cost some money, knowledge and time,” he continued.
Obama spoke in a private funds raising organized by the governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy, and his wife, Tammy Murphy, at his home in Red Bank, New Jersey. The intimate dinner raised $ 2.5 million through face -to -face donations and online to DNC, according to a source familiar with the event.
Some of the amount will be intended for democratic efforts in the race for governor in New Jersey. Democratic candidate, representative Mikie Sherrill, and DNC president Ken Martin were present at the event.
Obama described Sherrill and former consisting Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate for the governor in Virginia, as “powerful spokespersons of a pragmatic and wise desire to help people and who have both a remarkable historical service historical.”
“The most important thing you can do at this time is to help the team, our candidate to win,” he said. “And we have to start building our coffers in DNC.”
Obama also argued that Democrats need to focus on the way to “do good to people”, recognizing the different opinions within the party about the best way to do so.
“There has been, I realized, some discussion between the left of the party and the people who are promoting the abundance agenda in quotes. Listen, these things are not contradictory. Do you want to do something for people and improve their lives? Do you have to find out how to do it,” he said.
“I am not interested in how much we like workers. They cannot afford a house because all the rules of your state make construction prohibitive. And zoning prevents multifamily structures because of the Nimby’s (not my backyard/not in my backyard),” he said, referring to the opinions of those who do not want new buildings at the foot of their homes. “I don’t want to know your ideology, because they can’t build anything. It doesn’t matter.”
Obama has been selectively spoken since Trump’s return to power in January. He criticized the president’s tariff policy and warned that the White House was infringing the rights of Americans. Last month, Obama warned that the country was “dangerously close” to a more autocratic government.
At the funds raising event at the closed door on Friday, the former president said he was not “surprised by what Trump did” or “there are no more barriers within the Republican Party.” He repeated his appeals to the institutions, including law firms and universities, to resist the efforts of intimidating the Trump administration.
“What we are asked is that we make an effort to defend the things we consider correct. And being willing to feel a little uncomfortable in defense of your values. And in defense of the country. And in defense of the world we want to leave our children and grandchildren,” he said. “And if we all do this, if we do our work for next year and a half, then I think we will recover the momentum and will position ourselves so that this country will follow in the direction it must follow.”
