Barack Obama campaigns for Democrats ahead of elections in Detroit visit

The former president called out Republicans and social media companies on helping to create a divided country.

Former President Barack Obama speaks to a crowd of supporters.

Former President Barack Obama speaks to a crowd of supporters in Detroit on October 29, 2022.

Former President Barack Obama made an appearance at a campaign event at Renaissance High School in Detroit over the weekend. While appearing in support of Michigan’s Democratic candidates for office, he pitched party line issues to a crowd of local residents.

Issues like abortion, which Obama says should not be a topic Republicans and Democrats fight over.

“Healthcare choices should be made by a woman and her doctor and not politicians.” — Former President Barack Obama

“It shouldn’t be controversial to say that the most personal of healthcare choices should be made by a woman and her doctor and not politicians,” Obama told the crowd.

The 44th U.S. President was also critical of the role social media plays in civil discourse.

“They’re for-profit platforms and they find it more profitable to feed you controversy and conflict instead of facts and truth.”

Obama blamed social media for contributing to incidents like the attack on Paul Pelosi last week, who was injured in his home by an intruder looking for his wife, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The former president also accused Republicans of leading their supporters to violence and was critical of conservative options on the November ballot. Obama called out Republicans who refuse to accept the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, like Michigan gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon.

“I’ve been reading up on some of these candidates on the other side — Lord have mercy,” Obama said. “They have promised if they get control of Congress they’ll spend the next two years investigating their political opponents.”

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Author

  • Alex McLenon
    Alex McLenon is a Reporter with 101.9 WDET. McLenon is a graduate of Wayne State University, where he studied Media Arts & Production and Broadcast Journalism.