Democrats grumble it’s too little, too late with Obama
by Amie Parnes - 10/20/22 6:00 AM ET
When aides to Barack Obama announced the former president’s schedule for the midterm elections late last week, some Democrats were already grumbling.
For weeks, Democrats had been wondering where Obama was ahead of a midterm fight where the party is clinging to the slimmest of majorities in the House and Senate.
President Biden is widely seen as a drag on the party’s fortunes this cycle as he battles dismal approval ratings. With some candidates not wanting Biden to attend rallies in their states and districts, the absence of Obama’s star power has been notable.
Obama did attend four fundraisers in August and September to raise money for candidates, but some Democrats say that’s not enough given his standing and ability to draw a crowd.
“I think a lot of people have said, ‘Where’s Obama?’” one Democratic strategist acknowledged. “He shouldn’t just be the closer. He’s still seen as the party’s rock star.”
In interviews, other strategists and donors reiterated the sentiment that Obama should be out there more to help the party.
With less than three weeks to go until the election, polls suggest Republicans have seized back the momentum from Democrats.
A CBS News-YouGov survey showed Democrats trailing Republicans on the generic congressional ballot, while a New York Times-Siena College poll released this week found voters were more likely to vote Republican by a 49 to 45 percent margin. That’s a shift from when Democrats held a 1-point advantage over the summer.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3696337-democrats-grumble-its-too-little-too-late-with-obama/
