President Obama on Friday night returned to his core 2008 themes of hope and change, telling Democratic party loyalists that he intends to challenge “cynical politics” during his final two years office.
Speaking at a party fundraiser in San Francisco, the president blamed Democrats’ poor showing in the November midterm elections on voter apathy driven by frustration and anger with government. He said low turnout largely is to blame for the GOP gaining seats in the House and capturing control of the Senate.
But Mr. Obama said he still has two years in office and intends to use that time to strengthen Americans’ faith in Washington.
“Part of my goal is also to restore a sense of possibility in our politics and our government. And in some cases, that means challenging folks who are practicing the worst kind of cynical politics, and a politics based on fear rather than hope,” he said. “In some cases, it’s going to be finding areas of cooperating with Republicans. In either case, we’re going to need people like you to support these ongoing efforts.”
While battling Republicans — and in some cases, his own party — on political fights of the day, Mr. Obama said he’s also beginning to lay the groundwork for Democratic campaigns in 2016.
“Two years is a long time. And two years is also the time in which we’re going to be setting the stage for the next presidential election and the next 10 years of American policy,” the president said. “And so I intend to run through the tape and work really hard, and squeeze every last little bit of change and improvement in the lives of ordinary Americans and middle-class families that I can.”
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Friday night’s Democratic National Committee fundraiser was held at the San Francisco home of longtime Obama supporters Sandy and Jeanne Robertson. About 60 people attended, each contributing at least $10,000, according to party officials.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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