Barack Obama slams Democrat cancel culture as party at risk of losing control of Congress
The former US President shared his views less than a month before the midterm elections.
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Barack Obama has blasted cancel culture in the Democratic party as he acknowledged the need for people to "make mistakes". Speaking on the Pod Save America podcast, the 61-year-old politician said it was important for those in office to be able to "speak to everybody about their common interests".
While he did not say who he was specifically referring to, there has been speculation he was addressing the Democratic left-wing, who have been accused of getting bogged down in identity politics.
Mr Obama even described some in the party as "buzzkill Democrats", saying: "All of us, at any given moment, can say things the wrong way, make mistakes. Sometimes people just want to not feel as if they are walking on eggshells, and they want some acknowledgement that life is messy.
"I think where we get into trouble sometimes is where we try to suggest that some groups are more. . . because they historically have been victimised more, that somehow they have a status that’s different than other people and we’re going around scolding folks if they don’t use exactly the right phrase. Or that identity politics becomes the principal lens through which we view our various political challenges."
The former POTUS, who held office from 2009-2017, also highlighted the need to be clearer in messaging to voters rather than preach "policy gobbledygook".
He added: "Look, I used to get into trouble whenever I got a little too professorial and, you know, started . . . when I was behind the podium as opposed to when I was in a crowd."
Midterm elections next month could see the Democrats lose control of both Houses of Congress to the Republicans.
Currently the party holds the Senate and the House of Representatives by the smallest of margins, with elections set to took place on November 8.
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If the Republican party does take control it will become almost impossible for Democrat President Biden to pass any difficult legislation.
On Saturday Mr Obama said he had agreed to campaign for Democratic candidates in areas where the race is particularly tight.
His office said he would speak in "targeted" battleground states for "candidates up and down the ballot, especially in races and states that will have consequences for the administration of 2024 elections".
The former party leader tweeted: "We have to show up this election for the governors, secretaries of state and the candidates down the ballot who are going to protect voting rights and our electoral process."