In a recent speech at the third annual Obama Foundation Democracy Forum in Chicago, former President Barack Obama cautioned against political forces that might seek to “stack the deck” and “steal elections,” claiming that one side of the political spectrum would be tempted to politicize government institutions in a bid to retain power. He warned of a future where certain parties could suppress votes, politicize the judiciary, and manipulate the criminal justice system to target political opponents.
While Obama did not name names, his rhetoric was clearly directed at the political right. “There are going to be times, potentially, when one side tries to stack the deck and lock in a permanent grip on power—either by actively suppressing votes, or politicizing the armed forces, or using the judiciary and the criminal justice system to go after opponents,” Obama stated. “In those circumstances,” he continued, “a line has been crossed, and we have to stand firm.”
Many critics have pointed out, his comments reek of hypocrisy, especially when viewed in the context of recent Democratic actions and his own political history.
While Obama made a blanket condemnation of “one side” attempting to undermine democracy, it’s glaringly obvious that his words were aimed at Republicans—specifically former President Donald Trump and his supporters. The accusations he leveled at the right are serious: vote suppression, politicization of government institutions, and using the legal system to attack political opponents.
The argument could easily be made that the Democrats are guilty of many of these practices. Under the Obama administration, the Democratic Party was often accused of weaponizing the government and judiciary for political gain, whether it was through the Obama-era IRS targeting conservative groups or the controversial actions of the FBI in investigating Trump’s 2016 campaign.
The investigation into Russian interference, the impeachment trials, and the weaponization of the legal system against political opponents are just some examples of actions that many critics see as blatant political maneuvering designed to delegitimize the opposition and maintain control.
Obama’s more recent remarks about a “permanent grip on power” and the need to stand firm against such threats struck many as ironic, considering the Democratic Party’s own history of undermining the will of the electorate through tactics like gerrymandering, court-packing proposals, and calls for abolishing the Electoral College—efforts to tilt the balance in their favor. These actions have been viewed by many as attempts to stack the deck in favor of the left.
Obama’s involvement in shaping the 2024 race also follows a troubling trend from the 2016 election, when his support for Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders was widely seen as an attempt to push out a populist challenger in favor of a more establishment-friendly candidate. Both Clinton and Harris’ inability to secure a win—despite Obama’s enthusiastic backing—raises questions about his political acumen and his role within the party.
From Rules for Radicals: Always accuse your opponents of doing what you are doing.
All he has to do is look in the mirror to see a representative of a political party doing exactly what he is talking about. Of course, I realize he is blind and deaf, not being able to see and hear what has gone on in his political party the past four years.
A Pathetic psychopaths effort to redirect and reassign.
Ok I believe you.
Anything else?
Seijah, thank you so much you your daily columns always so full of information and insight. I look forward to reading your writings each and every morning.
steal elections and weaponize government? could also be said he stole weapons and changed elections laws to legalize his ballot wins. of course i am talking about his reduction of arms to citizens of the US mostly through ATF and local state gun control. I am also refering to various federal department having their own SWAT army answerable to department heads only to protect against protesting citizens (ruby ridge, Waco, etc.). And of course the election changes i reference are legalization of ballot harvesting, changes in voting laws away from one citizen, one vote to various voting schemes such as california top two (many times eliminating the GOP and third parties from being on the election ballot), alaska ranked voting scheme (very complicated), allowing of illegals to vote in elections, elimination of voter ID, trying to eliminate the electoral college, etc.
elimination of these long term schemes to foster big brother takover of the US would be constitutional and IS very needed!
These guys look in the mirror and claim it’s the other guy they’re looking at. I assume, since this is the only way of life they know, they just can’t believe anyone else can live differently.
Turnabout is fair play. Sow the wind—
Obama was reading right out of his globalist play book that he has used for 12 years. Had Trump not defeated Hillary, it would have been 16 years of democrats running the USA into the ground
2 term limits for all elected positions. End the corrupt career political cycle. The rats are dig in deep. Let’s flood the tunnels and flush the out
200,% success to Trump
Every communist democrat must be purged from the United States one way or another!!
Another prime example of Democrats projecting what they have been doing for quite a while now onto their political rivals. Maybe saomeday they will realize that many Americans are actually opening their eyes to the Democrat party’s corruption and underhanded tactics.
Joel is right on target! Straight from Saul Alinsky (Hillary Clinton’s idol).
This has been a tactic of the left for many years. It was made a staple under Obama by both the politicians and the media. It was used against Trump to an absurd level during his first term. It works so well that now they are going to double down on it. It is so much a part of their DNA that it just rolls out of their mouths like saying hello. Unfortunately, many people have yet to recognize it for what it is.
They should fear their own tactics being used on them. I wish Trump and republicans would get down in the mud with them but we have a conscience and integrity. Two things obviously missing in the democrats. Need to play hardball with them.