Democrats rally to Obama's defense amid 2020 criticism

[wyldwolf]

Senate Democrats went on the defense Thursday for former President Obama as 2020 candidates honed in on criticizing parts of his legacy during the debates this week.

But Senate Democrats, as well as high-profile officials within the party, rallied to Obama's defense on Thursday, questioning the wisdom of criticizing a former president who remains popular in the party.

Asked if he agreed with the 2020 tactics, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said "absolutely not."

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) ... noted that Obama remains popular and touted the administration's accomplishments.

"I think President Obama is a very, very popular figure in America to this day because he did a very good job. Did he accomplish everything? No. You compare the Obama administration to this administration, it's night and day and Americans are realizing that," Schumer said.

Progressive candidates have embraced "Medicare for All" and similar proposals, viewing the Affordable Care Act, the signature health care law of the Obama administration, as inadequate. It's a shift from the 2018 elections when warning that Republicans were trying to nix the health care law and its benefits was central to the Democratic strategy to win back the House.

Booker softened his criticism of Obama on Thursday, saying he wouldn't be in the race if Obama was running for a third term. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) separately told reporters on Thursday that she had "nothing but praise for President Obama."

Eric Holder, Obama's first attorney general, warned Democrats in a tweet after the debate to "Be wary of attacking the Obama record."

"Be wary of attacking the Obama record. Build on it. Expand it. But there is little to be gained — for you or the party — by attacking a very successful and still popular Democratic President," he tweeted.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), a 2020 contender who took part in the Tuesday night debate where Obama was largely a nonissue, gave the Obamas a shoutout in a tweet on Thursday.

Link to tweet

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/455867-democrats-rally-to-obamas-defense-amid-2020-criticism

[quickesst]

1. that is some solid advice....

.... and it's a shame that it had to be given in the first place.

[padah513]

2. Yeah

I guess some people will do anything or say anything or step on anybody to get to the top.

[crazytown]

3. Eric Holder (R) has a lot to answer for

too big to jail

[Gothmog]

4. Biden is defending President Obama's record

Link to tweet