Obama Reminds Voters Every Election Counts and Seeks to Smooth Intraparty Tension in VA

During his first campaign appearances since leaving the White House, former President Barack Obama urged voters to remember that every election -- from local to national -- is important. "What matters is what's happening in communities. ... You cannot complain if you didn't vote. If you give away your power and then somebody does things that are contrary to your interest, that's not that person's fault, it's your fault because you did not exercise the power that our Constitution gives us, that people fought for,” Obama said. He hit the stump for gubernatorial candidates Philip Murphy in NJ and Ralph Northam in VA. While on his stop in VA, POTUS44 encouraged voters to channel their frustrations with the current political scenario into turnout for Northam. “We’ve got folks who are deliberately trying to make folks angry, to demonize people who have different ideas, to get the base all riled up because it provides a short-term tactical advantage,” Obama said. “So the question for you tonight for the next 19 days: Do you want a politics of division and distraction, or do you believe in a better kind of politics?” Obama also sought to smooth over the tension arising from Northam’s flier leaving off Lt. Gov candidate Justin Fairfax by extolling Fairfax’s virtues and background. Black voters make up nearly a fifth of VA’s electorate and are key to Democratic success. More here.