Former U.S. President Barack Obama encourages constituents to vote at a Democratic voter rally on Saturday, October 29 in Detroit.
With less than 10 days until Election Day Tuesday, November 8, Michigan brought out the big guns as local political leaders and former President Barack Obama shared their collective views on abortions rights, the economy, and more at a Detroit rally to encourage constituents to get out the vote and to do it with intention.
“We will win,” U.S. Sen. Gary Peters said confidently during the Saturday, October 29 rally at Renaissance High School, adding that while he is not on the ballot this round, he is working to uphold the Democratic party this election. “You got a few more days to get out there and do it and when we’re done and polls close … and know that you put everything on the field. We did everything we can. We understand what’s at stake here and the fundamentals of our democracy is at stake.”
The standing-room-only crowd cheered, clapped, and booed at statements made by political leaders who talked about heated issues including how the Republican party handles issues including Proposal 3 and others, which starkly differs from their Democrat counterpart’s responses.
Obama rallied Michigan Democrats ahead of the 2022 midterm election. Obama made his way most recently to Georgia in a similar push to encourage and bolster voters to vote a Democrat ticket as he did that fall afternoon in the Mitten State.
Economic Upturn
“Are you fired up here?” Obama asked the cheering crowd. “Are you ready to go vote?”
The grassroots event talked candidly about what’s at stake in the upcoming election and encouraged everyone to elect Michigan Democrats “up and down the ballot” on Tuesday, November 8.
“I am here to ask you to vote,” Obama said encouraging voters to vote straight Democratic in Michigan while motivating them to vote early or in person. “This election requires every single one of us … it’s that important.”
Obama added that the nation has “been through some stuff” and that people are just recovering from the historic pandemic that “wreaked havoc” on businesses, schools, and the economy.
Concerns about a looming recession and current inflation woes continue to weigh heavily on the minds of Michiganders and others – there are some positives, too.
However, even with the economic downturn, Michigan is basking in the afterglow of hundreds of job creations (especially in Detroit) due to a concerted effort to keep the state financially viable no matter the forecast. It’s still not a good enough reason to let voters rest on their laurels, though – just ask the politicians.
Others in the state, and country, are facing inflation-related issues, which Obama said is a “problem worldwide” and a good enough reason to get out to the polls soon.
“It’s wreaked havoc on the supply chain … and then the war in Ukraine sent gas prices through the roof,” he said adding that between gas and grocery prices the increased cost of living results in a “bite out of your paycheck.”
“That hurts,” he said. “Whose going to do something about that? Republicans talk about it but what’s their answer? What’s their economic policy?”
Obama said that giving tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations is not the answer.
Who Will Fight For Your Freedom?
“Michigan, who will fight for your freedom?” People in the crowd answered, “Whitmer,” to which he agreed to the re-election of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Whitmer said that she and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist have made a lot of progress while in office and she is looking forward to Michigan’s bright future by bringing people together.
“I’ve signed every 900 bipartisan bills, delivered four budgets, and thanks to President Obama we have an auto industry to keep building here in Michigan and we have landed 30,000 good paying auto jobs … and we are fixing the damn roads,” Whitmer said. “All of that hard-fought progress is at stake in November.”
Whitmer said that the upcoming election is a choice to either move the state forward or “drive us back.”
The November midterm elections are already shedding casting a major light on the future plight of America, especially with decisions surrounding education, healthcare, voting rights, abortion, student loans, and other key issues in the hands of all voters who could decide what the future of their city, state, county, and the nation looks like.
Already, voters looking forward to letting their voices be heard chimed in on polls conducted after the primary in August, with key issues identified revolving around the quality of life for them and their families. Heading up the list is the primarily polarizing issue centered on abortion and women’s rights, followed by rising inflation, threats to democracy, quality education for students pre-k through college, pathways to good paying jobs, and effective ways to reduce crime.
Across the nation, voters are seeking equity at the polls when it comes to stronger public policy in schools, economic growth, and better middle-class wages.
Whitmer said it’s not lost on anyone how critical this election is and what it means to Michiganders.
“Public education is on this ballot, our democracy is on this ballot and the right to choose is on this ballot,” Whitmer said.
“We cannot trust our future to dangerous people, people who peddle conspiracy theories … those who want to be so divided and angry,” Whitmer said. “We have always known this would be a close election … (there is) too much at stake to take any community, any vote for granted,” Whitmer said.
In an exclusive interview with the Michigan Chronicle, Whitmer said that ensuring everyone’s vote is heard this election is key, to which Gilchrist agreed. He said during the interview that it is imperative to any voter that feels disenchanted with the redistricting to get out and vote to let their voices be heard, together, especially for Black voters.
During the rally, Gilchrist said that it’s important for voters to use voting tools to make a difference.
Michigan Mobilizes
“Because every child has the right to an amazing public education,” he said. “It’s time for us to mobilize and make things happen … this opportunity and our election – we can make a generational difference.”
State Rep. Kyra Harris Bolden, who is a candidate for the Michigan State Supreme Court, said during the event that it’s time to talk about “what’s at stake.”
“The Michigan Supreme Court will be the last word, the last word, the last word on your rights in Michigan, so we need to make sure that we have justices on our Michigan Supreme Court that believes in equal justice under the law. Do you know we have the opportunity to project justice for generations to come?”
Over the summer, the Oakland County Circuit Court granted the governor’s request for a temporary restraining order after a decision from the Michigan Court of Appeals cleared the path for county prosecutors to prosecute doctors and nurses for doing their jobs. The governor’s legal efforts continue to ensure women have control over their bodies and that doctors and nurses can do their jobs without fear of jail time.
Bolden encouraged attendees to “bubble in” when voting Bolden and Richard H. Bernstein, a lawyer and Michigan Supreme Court Justice.
“You will be a direct influence on protecting justice for generations to come. Justice for you, your children, your children’s children, children… let’s get this done,” she said adding that if elected she would be the first Black woman to serve in that role. “We have an opportunity to… protect justice for generations and make a little history while we’re at it.”
Attorney General Dana Nessel mentioned the importance of protecting the “fundamental rights” to choose the people who represent residents in office.
“We are going to fight to protect Black voters and all voters in the state,” she said. “I am going to make sure those votes actually count. Let’s show the rest of America that here in Michigan all votes matter and we will not stop fighting for equal under the law protection for all people.”
Obama said that it’s important to not get distracted and focus on what’s important.
“I’m here to tell you that tuning out is not an option, the only way to save our democracy is if we work together – all of us,” he said. “There may be a lot of issues at stake but the basic questions will be … who will fight for you? Who is on your side? Better is worth fighting for.”
Early voting options in Detroit include 13 satellite voting locations (“Early Vote Centers”) in neighborhoods across the city. There, Detroiters can receive, fill out and securely submit their absentee ballots now through Election Day, in addition to the options of mailing their absentee ballots or submitting them through 20 security-monitored drop boxes, if they would like to vote early.
A full list of options and locations is available to Detroiters at detroitvotes.org.
For more information on the Michigan Democratic party, visit michigandems.com/vote or call the hotline 1 (833) MI-VOTES.
Watch the full video here.
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