Obama to start stumping for Biden in final weeks of election

Former President Barack Obama is expected to hit the road and start stumping for Joe Biden next week, Democratic sources told The Hill.

He’ll start in Philadelphia on Wednesday, where both campaigns see politically mixed Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral votes as a must-win, and continue through more battleground states as the campaign comes to a close.

President Obama is a dynamic speaker and the Democrat’s biggest draw outside their nominee, and his presence on the trail could help cement the former Vice President’s already comfortable lead in the polls.

Early on in the Trump presidency, Mr Obama hewed to presidential custom and kept a low profile, refraining from criticizing Mr Trump by name for nearly two years.

More recently, the President Obama has re-emerged as a sharp critic of President Trump and advocate for Mr Biden, including in a keynote speech backing his former colleague at August’s virtual Democratic National Convention.

With the election just over two weeks away, the Trump campaign is pulling out all the stops as well. President Trump, fresh off a coronavirus diagnosis, has returned to heavy in-person campaigning, where audience members often don’t wear masks or obey social distancing.

According to Real Clear Politics, Mr Biden maintains a a low double-digit over Mr Trump in a collection of national polls, and his campaign has dwarfed the incumbent’s fundraising haul.

In September, Mr Biden and the Democrats raised $383 million, breaking their own August record, while Mr Trump and the Republicans only netted $248 million.

Read more

Obama accuses Trump of pushing disinformation and conspiracies

Michelle Obama, LeBron James team to help boost early voting

Maskless Florida governor high-fives Trump supporters at packed rally