Former President Barack Obama returned to Nevada on Saturday to stump for Vice President Kamala Harris, describing next month’s election as a choice between a candidate who will look out for everyday Americans versus someone whose decisions are made entirely based on his own self-interest.
In remarks lasting about 45 minutes at Cheyenne High School in North Las Vegas, Obama touted Harris’ record and proposals to address still-too-high housing, grocery and health care costs, while spending much of his speech denigrating former President Donald Trump as a man who only looks out for himself and will prioritize making life easier for the most privileged.
About 3,000 people were in the school’s at-capacity gym, with an additional 1,000 watching Obama — flanked by Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), who is running for re-election — on screens in a nearby overflow room.
The rally comes as Obama continues to barnstorm battleground states in the final weeks of the election. It was his third rally for Harris in the past week, following stops in Pittsburgh and Tucson, and he will also rally alongside Harris next week in Georgia and Michigan.
The rally, Obama’s first public appearance in the Silver State since he rallied for state Democrats shortly before Election Day in 2022, came on the first day of in-person early voting in Nevada. As of late afternoon Saturday, more than 28,000 people in Clark County had voted in person, according to a county spokesperson, exceeding the 27,000 county residents who turned out on the first day of early voting four years ago.
Similar to other swing states, the presidential contest is a dead heat in Nevada, with polls often finding Harris and Trump separated by a few percentage points.
Often considered a once-in-a-generation orator and rallier of the Democratic base, Obama has made stops in the closing weeks of election cycles since he left the White House about eight years ago. Democrats hope he can build enthusiasm and turn out those who may be considering sitting out.
It’s a sentiment that was reflected Saturday among rally attendees, who said Obama’s ascent led to their support of Democratic politics.
Ruthie Zolla, a 21-year-old college student from California who was in Las Vegas to canvass for Harris, remembered how Obama’s political rise spurred her interest in politics, including when she canvassed for Obama as a 6-year-old in Indiana in 2008.
The topic of voter apathy was also on display during the speech, with Obama frequently acknowledging that life in America is imperfect, but that one way people can improve their lives is by voting.
“If you hear somebody say it doesn’t matter, it does matter, and someday it will make a difference to help them,” Obama said. “So whether this election is making you feel excited or scared or hopeful or frustrated or anywhere in between, do not sit back and hope for the best. Get off your couch and vote.”
Trump’s character
Much of Obama’s speech focused on Trump acting in his own self-interest.
He criticized Trump and other Republicans for spreading lies related to the federal response to the recent hurricanes on the East Coast, which resulted, in at least one instance, an armed militia following emergency responders. He also condemned the reported comment that Trump called fallen service members “losers.”
“That kind of behavior is not OK,” Obama said. “Having people divided and angry and resentful … that increases his chance of being elected president.”
He characterized Trump as a hypocrite who is only out for himself, referencing his selling of “God Bless the USA Bibles” that The Associated Press reported were made in China.
“This is Mr. Tough Guy on China except when he can make a few bucks,” Obama said.
Obama also mocked Trump for some of his recent behavior at rallies, including one during which he stood on the stage dancing for 40 minutes.
“You would be worried if your grandpa started acting like this,” Obama said.
In an interview before the event, Allan Margolin, a 25-year-old paralegal from Los Angeles, contrasted Trump and Obama’s characters, calling Obama “the most inspiring politician we’ve ever had.” His first time voting in 2008 was for Obama.
“He’s one of the people,” Margolin said. “He sees people for who they really are instead of being an elitist.”
Obama also sought to contrast Harris and Trump’s plans if elected.
He repeatedly dinged Trump for his comment at last month’s presidential debate that he had “concepts of a plan” related to the Affordable Care Act, the landmark health care legislation passed during Obama’s first term.
“He spent his entire presidency trying to tear it down, and he couldn’t even do that,” Obama said. “He doesn’t know how the Affordable Care Act works. He just knows that I did it.”
John Villasenor, a 39-year-old primary care physician in Nevada, said he sees patients daily who have reaped the benefits of the Affordable Care Act.
“These are such huge things that we don’t want to lose,” Villasenor said.
Obama also repeatedly criticized Trump for the tax cuts passed under his administration that particularly benefited billionaires. They are set to expire next year.
“We do not need a president who makes problems worse just to make his politics better,” he said. “If you elect Kamala and [Minnesota Gov.] Tim [Walz], they won’t be focused on their problems, they’ll be focused on your problems.”
He described Harris as a candidate who is “as prepared for the job as any nominee for president has ever been.” He touted her policies to address the affordable housing crisis, which has emerged as an increasingly salient issue this year, including her pledge to build 3 million new homes and offer up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.
He continued acknowledging that grocery prices remain too high, while also heralding Harris’ plan to ban corporate price gouging, though economists are skeptical at how much it can truly help Americans.
“Kamala is fighting on behalf of people who need a champion,” Obama said.
And he alluded to the premise of “freedom” — arguing that Harris’ policies seek to give people freedom to breathe cleaner air, go to school safely and make their own health care decisions.
“For Donald Trump and his cronies, freedom just means getting away with stuff,” Obama said.
