Former President Barack Obama said it’s time for Democrats to “toughen up” if they plan to find success in diminishing President Donald Trump and Republicans’ influence.
“I think it’s going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions, and it’s going to require Democrats to just toughen up,” Obama said at a private fundraiser held by Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. CNN obtained excerpts of his remarks.
Last Friday’s event, which included the attendance of Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, marked Obama’s first campaign event since the 2024 election that saw the Democrats lose the White House and both chambers of Congress. Since the election, the Democratic Party has lacked clear leadership and has struggled with its messaging to voters, much to the dismay of Obama.
“You know, don’t tell me you’re a Democrat, but you’re kind of disappointed right now, so you’re not doing anything,” Obama said. “No, now is exactly the time that you get in there and do something. Don’t say that you care deeply about free speech and then you’re quiet. No, you stand up for free speech when it’s hard. When somebody says something that you don’t like, but you still say, ‘You know what, that person has the right to speak.’ What’s needed now is courage.”
As Democrats are making preparations for the 2026 midterm elections, Obama called on the party to be nvolved in the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial elections later this year.
“Stop looking for the quick fix,” Obama said. “Stop looking for the messiah. You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates.”
Obama called on Democrats to focus less on political ideology and to focus more on meeting the needs of Americans.
“I don’t care how much you love working people,” Obama said. “They can’t afford a house because all the rules in your state make it prohibitive to build. And zoning prevents multifamily structures because of NIMBY. I don’t want to know your ideology, because you can’t build anything. It does not matter.”
Obama said it is possible for Democrats to “rebuild momentum” among voters by standing more firmly in their convictions.
“What’s being asked of us is make some effort to stand up for the things that you think are right,” he said. “And be willing to be a little bit uncomfortable in defense of your values. And in defense of the country. And in defense of the world that you want to leave to your children and your grandchildren.
“And if we all do that, if we do our jobs over the next year and a half, then I think we will rebuild momentum and we will position ourselves to get this country moving in the direction it should.”
The event garnered $2.5 million in donations, with a portion of the money going to assist New Jersey gubernatorial Democratic nominee Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ).
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