Speaking to an audience of thousands in a Miami rally for Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum on Friday, Former President Barack Obama accused Republican lawmakers running the country of pushing the same agenda as previous Republican administrations, saying that Republicans are trying to divide the nation in order to keep power..

“Republicans have been in control for two years … what have they done with that power?” said Obama. “They cut taxes for the rich just like the last time. They stripped out rules to protect our air and water, just like they did the last time. They ran up the deficit just like the last time.”

“They know none of this is popular,” he added. “Which is part of the reason why, just like the last time, they’re actively trying to disenfranchise voters to keep them from voting.”

He went on to claim to take credit for the growing state of the economy, telling the crowd that the current administration simply inherited his success.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

“They’re trying to scare folks with whatever boogeyman or divisive social issues they can come up with, just like they did the last time,” said Obama. “They’re telling you the existential threat to America is a bunch of poor refugees a thousand miles away.”

Gillum and incumbent Florida Sen. Bill Nelson (D) nodded at this from their seats behind the former president.

Early on in his speech, the former president called Gillum “one of the most inspiring, gifted candidates” running in this year’s election, and claimed that the Democrats were going to send Nelson back to the Senate.

Protesters, presumably supporters of President Donald Trump, repeatedly try to disrupt the former president’s speech, but were met with chants of “Bring it home” by the other attendees.

Obama called for voters to go to the polls and vote for the issues they care about, telling them that no matter what background, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation they have, they could all come together and change the country’s future.

“This Tuesday might be the most important election in our lifetime. Politicians will often say that, but this time it’s actually true. The stakes really are that high. The consequences of any of us staying home really are more dangerous,” Obama said.

He went on to say that the country stands at a “crossroads,” and that not only are issues like healthcare and income inequality on the ballot, but also that “the character of our country is on the ballot.”

“Republicans can’t hear you boo,” the former president told the crowd. “But they can hear you vote.”

Read more about:

Get the free uPolitics mobile app for the latest political news and videos

iPhone Android

Leave a comment

Oresti Avlonitis

Article by Oresti Avlonitis