NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nevada — It wasn’t a showroom on the Las Vegas Strip, but former President Barack Obama delivered a standup monologue slamming former President Donald Trump to more than 4,000 of the Democratic faithful here.
“Donald Trump is a 78-year-old billionaire who has not stopped whining about his problems since he rode down that golden escalator nine years ago. And when he’s not complaining, he’s trying to sell you stuff,” the 44th President told a packed gymnasium at Cheyenne High School in North Las Vegas Saturday evening.
“For Donald Trump and his cronies, freedom just means getting away with stuff,” Obama said. “That’s his idea of freedom: ‘I get to do what I want and never take responsibility for anything.’”
Former President Barack Obama meets with supporters before speaking at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in North Las Vegas, Nev. Getty Images
Trump “is quick to say ‘Kamala, you were in office for four years,’” Obama said. “Dude, you were President for four years!”
Obama said, “We do not need a president who makes problems worse in order to get elected,” referring to allegations Trump blocked a much-criticized immigration bill to have a campaign issue.
Trump’s predecessor spoke here just as polls show a tight race with Donald J. Trump with a hair’s breadth lead of 0.8% according to the latest Real Clear Politics average.
The latest Rasmussen Reports poll has Trump up by two points in the state, with others showing a one-point margin for Harris, substantially closer than usual here. Nevada hasn’t given its six Electoral College votes to a Republican since 2004.
People wait in line to attend a rally with former President Barack Obama speaking in support of Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in North Las Vegas, Nev. AP
Obama’s get-out-the-vote message came at the start of pre-Election Day balloting, which runs through Nov. 1. Even though all Nevada voters receive a mail-in ballot, many exchange their paper ballots for in-person voting.
Media reports indicate more than 28,000 Clark County residents — including Las Vegas voters — cast their ballots in person on Saturday. The county has 1.4 million registered voters, the lion’s share of the Silver State’s 1.98 million registered and “active” voters as reported by the secretary of state’s office.
Michael Thompson, a 50-year-old Black voter from Las Vegas, said he understood Obama’s earlier comment about “the brothers” — male Black voters — not rallying around Harris.
Former US President Barack Obama walks out to surprise an overflow audience before speaking at a get-out-the-vote rally on the first day of early voting at the Cheyenne High School on October 19, 2024 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images
“There’s a long history of Democratic support within the black community. At the same time, I see some who look at the fact that they haven’t seen much benefit or change in certain areas, which makes [them] hesitant,” the high school behavior specialist said.
Trump’s campaign said there’s reason for Black discomfort at the prospect of a Harris presidency.
“Black men aren’t supporting Kamala Harris because they already know that Trump delivered upon his promises, including the lowest unemployment ever recorded for Black Americans,” said Janiyah Thomas, Team Trump Black Media Director, in a statement.
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