- The Washington Times - Saturday, October 19, 2024

Former President Barack Obama came out swinging at Friday’s rally in Arizona, questioning former President Donald Trump’s competence.

The 44th president sharply criticized his successor throughout the appearance in Tucson, taking aim at Mr. Trump’s ability to articulate policy positions and his age. Mr. Obama’s comments come just months after President Biden, 81, dropped out of the race over concerns about his coherence.

If elected, Mr. Trump, 78, would be the oldest president in U.S. history by the end of his term. 

“Along with his intentions, there is also a question of his competence,” Obama said. “He’s giving two, 2 1/2-hour speeches. Just word salads. You have no idea what he’s talking about. He’s talking about Hannibal Lecter.”

Mr. Obama took a swipe at Mr. Trump’s appearance at a town hall where he cut the question and answer period short after a pair of medical episodes in the crowd and to respectfully listen to music, including “Ave Maria,” “YMCA,” and “Nothing Compares 2 U,” for a half hour before departing the stage. 

He also slammed Mr. Trump’s recent comment at a Fox News town hall that he was the “father of IVF” after a member of the all-female audience asked his position on abortion access and in vitro fertilization. 

“He called himself the father IVF,” Mr. Obama said. “I do not know what that means. You do not either. He said January 6th was a day of love. You would be worried if your grandpa was acting like this.”

Mr. Obama’s remarks came during a rally supporting Vice President Kamala Harris and Democratic Senate candidate Ruben Gallego. 

Ms. Harris is trying to gain ground in the swing state that Mr. Biden won in 2020 but where she trails Mr. Trump by an average of 1.4 points, according to polling aggregate RealClearPolling. Rep. Gallego is outrunning the top of the ticket, however, leading Kari Lake by 6.9 points in the Senate race. 

The former president’s appearance on the campaign trail for Ms. Harris during the final weeks of the election comes as her campaign is trying to shore up more support among men of color — voting blocs with whom Mr. Trump is gaining traction.

Mr. Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, will join Ms. Harris for a pair of events in Georgia and Michigan next week.

• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.

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