In a podcast interview with Democratic political operative and former senior adviser, David Axelrod, President Barack Obama made it clear that if he had run a third time against President-elect Donald Trump, he would have rallied the country behind him.
Obama’s “vision of hope” carried him through both of his campaigns and it gave the country something to look forward to and unite under. Obama was slightly critical of former Secretary Hillary Clinton’s campaign by talking about how it fell short of uniting and reaching for the people.
This is the first time Obama has spoken out against Trump or released his opinion of Clinton’s campaign since the election took place. Speaking about his own trail to victory, had it been allowed, Obama stated:
“You know, I am confident in this vision because I’m confident that if I — if I had run again and articulated it, I think I could’ve mobilized a majority of the American people to rally behind it.”
Of course, Trump couldn’t just let our current President do his interview and say how he felt. Trump had to make sure he fought the invisible enemy in Obama by tweeting:
President Obama said that he thinks he would have won against me. He should say that but I say NO WAY! – jobs leaving, ISIS, OCare, etc.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2016
Obama went on to discuss the racism and xenophobia that has poured out in this country ever since the 2016 election began. He also spoke about Clinton and the inherent disadvantage this country’s sexism gave her against her opponent. He talked about how that very thought made the Clinton campaign a bit too cautious and her projected win might have caused the campaign to pull back and ride it out without pushing the envelope. Obama said:
“If you think you’re winning, then you have a tendency, just like in sports, maybe to play it safer.”
And as always our proud president ended his cast with his sentiments on how much his family and his staff has been his rock throughout the last eight years. Talking about his team’s dedication he stated:
“The idealism and the dedication stayed with the staff and got us through some really hard times.”
We wish Obama could have run a third term but in the wake of this whole disaster we hope that those on the opposite side of Trump can band together enough to force Trump’s hand and stand up to protect each other.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R0ZjFFzK38
Featured image via The Daily Dot.
