Obama and Democrats Revive ‘Hope and Change’ Message in Ohio
Former President Barack Obama joined Democratic candidates at a rally in Ohio, where thousands gathered as key midterm election races intensify.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Former President Barack Obama and fellow Democrats revived the “hope and change” message that helped propel him to victory in 2008 during a get-out-the-vote rally on October 24.
Combining humor, encouragement and calls for greater decency in American politics, Obama urged Ohio voters to reconsider their political choices after the state backed President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
Cuyahoga County, which includes Cleveland, played a significant role in Obama's victories in Ohio in 2008 and 2012. During his second presidential campaign, he received approximately 69 percent of the vote in the county.
Trump, however, has carried Ohio in each of the three presidential elections held since Obama's victories.
“This election is our last, best chance to at least rein in some of the foolishness of this administration,” Obama told a large audience at the Cleveland Public Auditorium and Conference Center without directly mentioning Trump by name.
The venue, which has a capacity of 10,000, was largely filled, although roughly one-third of the floor area and some seats farthest from the stage remained unoccupied.
Obama encouraged voters dissatisfied with issues such as the conflict involving Iran, gasoline prices and government priorities to hold Republicans accountable at the ballot box.
“This election can be a start ... this election can be a course correction,” he said, urging voters to support Democrats in races across the ballot.
“Vote for change ... vote for Democrats up and down the ballot,” he added.
Ohio's High-Stakes Midterm Contests
Ohio is hosting several closely contested races in this year's midterm elections, including the gubernatorial contest and a Senate race featuring Republican Sen. Jon Husted and former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.
Brown, who previously served in the Senate for many years, is mounting a strong challenge to Husted.
Obama joked that his trip to Ohio was made possible by a “hall pass” from his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama.
His visit followed recent campaign rallies featuring Trump and Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio native, who have been encouraging Republicans to vote in the midterms.
Trump and Vance have been campaigning across the country as Republicans seek to preserve their narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress.
Obama's victory in Ohio in 2012 helped him surpass the 270 Electoral College votes needed to secure a second presidential term. He also carried the state in 2008.
His previous campaign rally in Ohio took place in 2018, when he supported Democratic gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray. Republican Mike DeWine ultimately won that election. DeWine is scheduled to leave office in January because of term limits.
Contentious Ohio Governor's Race
DeWine's former health director, Dr. Amy Acton, is now the Democratic candidate for governor. DeWine has previously praised her work, but she faces a contentious contest against Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, whom the governor continues to endorse despite criticizing him over an advertisement targeting Acton.
Acton's campaign condemned Ramaswamy for featuring her mother, Donna Arthur, in a political advertisement. Arthur has been estranged from her daughter for decades.
In a one-minute video, Arthur urges Ohio voters not to support Acton, accusing her of lying about her opponent and questioning her credibility and ability to improve the lives of Ohio residents.
Acton's campaign responded publicly after the advertisement appeared online on October 20.
Her brother, Philip Stearns, criticized the campaign for bringing a painful family history into the political debate. He accused Ramaswamy of exploiting the sexual abuse Acton experienced at age 12 involving her birth mother's husband.
The advertisement does not accuse Acton of lying about the abuse, Ramaswamy has emphasized.
He argues that critics are overlooking the advertisement's intended message, which he says concerns a broader pattern of allegedly dishonest statements by Acton.
“The irony is: They're lying about an ad that is about lying ... it had nothing to do with childhood abuse,” Ramaswamy said during a campaign stop on October 23.
Trump and Vance have defended Ramaswamy amid the controversy.
Obama, however, joined those criticizing the advertisement.
Obama Calls for Decency in Politics
The audience fell quiet when Obama addressed the advertisement during the Cleveland rally.
“There’s a decency that we should expect out of our public officials,” he said. “The standards of behavior have gotten so low that somebody could run an ad like that.”
Obama praised Acton for speaking openly about her difficult childhood and dedicating her career to helping others.
He also expressed confidence that, if elected governor, she would work to reduce poverty and provide relief from medical debt.
Acton spoke for approximately 15 minutes before Obama's address, frequently pausing as supporters chanted her name.
“My opponent has chosen to exploit intentionally my childhood ... to save his struggling campaign, but it’s not going to work,” she said.
She added that compassion and decency remained important values in public life.
Acton drew a parallel between her personal experiences and Ohio's broader story, describing both as stories of resilience, grace and hope.
Referring to Obama's well-known campaign message, she said, “Hope is what drives this campaign. ... Hope is optimism plus a plan.”
She also promised to make life more affordable for Ohio residents, although she did not outline specific proposals during the rally.
Her campaign website, however, details an affordability agenda that includes tax credits and expanded assistance with energy bills.