Emerging in a spacious Pittsburgh gym, he glistened: the icon of freedom for the Democratic Party, still carrying the youthful spirit of the past, albeit with a fully silver head. He’s easily recognisable as the lanky fellow with the unusual name who captivated his party with a convention speech two decades ago and who now sails into his middle years as the most influential American presidential emblem of the 21st century.
Barack Obama’s Thursday night appearance at a Democratic rally evoked a blend of nostalgia and anticipation among the party members. Democrats glanced back fondly at a bygone era that was brimming with optimism while harbouring a desire that his return to the campaign trails could provide Kamala Harris the essential momentum in a neck-and-neck election.
Everything seemed as if no time had passed. The blue shirt with an open collar. His lively demeanour. The heartwarming grin. The euphoria etched on the crowd’s faces. Bono’s vocals projecting “City of Blinding Lights” from the loudspeakers. Across the US, countless Democrats must have yearned for the past. Could the clock not be turned back? Adorned with a warm high-five to Bob Casey, a Democratic senator fighting a close electoral battle, Obama moved behind the microphone.
“Are you all set?,” Barack Obama probed.
His rally in Pittsburgh has Democrats reminiscing about their once promising past.
“Are you prepared to move forth?”
And within moments, it was evident he hadn’t lost his touch. The unmatched ability to convey a compelling narrative that captures the complex ideological concerns of a contested election, making them seem straightforward and genuine. He dove into the discourse with his unique voice, expressing affection for Pittsburgh, the Steelers, pancakes, and giving a pragmatic directive to Pennsylvanian Democrats to cast their vote for their Auditor General, Attorney General, State Treasurer and Casey himself. And eventually, he addressed the crux of his message.
In a pre-election speech, it was emphasised that the competition will be fierce with the acknowledgement that many US citizens continue to grapple with socio-economic difficulties. This was attributed to the fallout from the pandemic with its negative effect on daily life, causing rising costs and consequently, strained family finances. There was an unspoken narrative that the wealthy and influential had greater priority over the working class. Hence, the appeal to ‘shake things up’ was easy to understand. However, doubts were cast about the potential benefits to the people of Pennsylvania by expecting Donald Trump to instigate this change. This was based on the view that Trump has often appeared more self-centred than considerate of others.
The speaker, purported to be Barack Obama, has historically been able to captivate audiences with his charisma and rhetoric, including his successor Trump, and has thus earned a loyal following unlike any other, save perhaps for John F. Kennedy. His return to campaigning in Pittsburgh was a testament to his undiminished popularity, disregarding party lines and loyalties.
In the aftermath of the elections, Julian E Zelizer, a historian at Princeton University, and his colleagues, convened to discuss President Obama’s political legacy. It has been suggested by some democrats that Trump’s term was largely spent attempting to obliterate any hints of Obama’s influence and accomplishments in office. Zelizer’s sentimentality towards Obama’s regime and its achievements overshadowed by Trump was published in The New York Times as ‘The Wreckage of Obama’s Legacy’ in November 2016.
The perspective was centred on the swift dismantling of his initiatives, given the Republicans had claimed control of the White House and Congress. The election victory of Donald J Trump was seen by many as the country’s overt rejection of the groundbreaking year of 2008, which saw the first African-American president take office. Though Obama was an adept law creator, he was less competent as a party leader. In spite of the Republicans’ obstinate resistance, he still succeeded in achieving his goals. The tactics that led to his successes, such as passing laws by a thin party majority, modesty regarding his reform achievements, and relying on administrative orders in the end, are ironically the reasons why his legacy is at risk.
Many Democrats argue that the duration of Trump’s term, covering eight years, was primarily driven by an attempt to wipe off any remnants of the Obama era. Even when campaigning against candidates like Joe Biden and, later, Kamala Harris, it appears that Trump and his MAGA movement will forever be campaigning against and expressing fury towards the previous president, which was evident when Obama returned to public speaking in Pittsburgh.
It may be unjust to accuse Obama of fuelling Trump’s political ambitions through the humiliation he subjected him to at the White House Correspondents Dinner years back. However, that moment marked a turning point. Despite being in Pittsburgh, it was clear that Obama couldn’t help but display his innate knack for sharp wit.
As evidenced at the significant Democratic convention in Chicago, enabled through Michelle Obama’s powerful address, the public got a glimpse of the latent fury the couple must harbour against everything the Republican candidate stands for. At that Chicago convention, Barack Obama was in full crowd-pleaser mode. In a quieter setting, with his sleeves rolled up and arms resting on the lectern, he reignited the political and personal prowess he demonstrated when the idea of an African-American presidency seemed like a far-fetched reality.
In one of his public speeches, Donald Trump casually remarked, ‘So what?’ when informed about his own Vice-president, Mike Pence’s proximity to an enraged crowd shouting threats. A question is raised: If the President is indifferent to such a dangerously threatening situation for his VP, can he truly be relied upon to care about the common citizen? Pennsylvanians and others are urged to reflect on whether they desire another four years of boastful, clumsy governance that drives a wedge between people, or if they’re prepared to embrace change.
When it comes to conveying such poignant messages, few American personalities are as eloquent as Obama. He knows how to stir emotions, before calmly reminiscing about his earlier days. Observers may have found themselves reflecting on the last eight years, considering his book authorship, Netflix appearances, and the significant wealth amassed from his charisma. It inevitably poses the question of how much he lived up to the expectations set during the lead up to 2008.
Certainly, conversations will continue for years concerning his impact. However, Barack Obama’s final impassioned plea of the night entailed urging his country back to a sphere of respectable dialogue and dignified debate. Obama sought the support of Republicans trailing the event, emphasising the importance of honest discourse over mere policy struggles.
He questioned, “Since when did the acceptance of dishonesty become the norm?” before returning to his underlying message of hopeful outlook that coloured his initial rise to prominence. “Together, we will persist in creating a nation that is more equitable, more free, and more just. That’s our duty. Let’s make it happen. I thank you, Pittsburgh. Thank you, Pennsylvania.”