A Democratic former president endorsing a Democrat running for governor is not normally newsworthy. But I’m going to write about Barack Obama dropping two new TV spots for Abigail Spanberger because of what I see going on with them doing that.
They’re daring Donald Trump to jut his jowels into the race.
“Virginia’s elections are some of the most important in the country this year, and I am proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger for governor,” Obama began one of the two spots, the one called “An Economy That Works For Everyone.”
The second spot, “Protect Our Rights,” focuses on reproductive freedoms.
They’re trying to smoke out Trump, who has remained unusually quiet during the 2025 cycle in Virginia, with the Republican nominee for governor, Winsome Earle-Sears, the sitting lieutenant governor, trailing Spanberger by double-digits in the polls.
Trump, famously, doesn’t like his name being attached with an obvious loser.
There’s also a factor with Earle-Sears being a Black woman, and an immigrant, that may complicate things for the Trumper – who we can imagine isn’t also fond of the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor on the 2025 state ticket, John Reid, a talk-radio guy who is also openly gay.
Jason Miyares is probably OK despite being the son of a Cuban refugee; Trump, not always with us in his old age, could easily be confused when he sees Miyares and think he’s Marco Rubio.
Anyway, Trump really doesn’t like Obama, who he often mistakes, in his meandering stump speeches – if you can call him talking off the top of his head about whatever is on his mind at the moment a “speech” – for having been his most recent predecessor, or sometimes, even the current president.
Democrats are goading here into putting his flagging poll numbers in Virginia – his approval rating in the state, which he lost in all three of his runs for president, is in the 30s – behind the GOP ticket.
It will work.
‘An Economy That Works For Everyone’
President Barack Obama: Virginia’s elections are some of the most important in the country this year and I am proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger for governor.
Republican policies are raising costs on working families so billionaires can get massive tax cuts.
As governor, Abigail will stand up for Virginia families. She’ll work to build an economy that works for everyone, not just big corporations and the wealthy.
But it won’t happen without you. Every vote counts, so turn out and vote for Abigail Spanberger for governor on November 4th.
‘Protect Our Rights’
President Barack Obama: Virginia’s elections are some of the most important in the country this year. We know Republicans will keep attacking abortion rights and the rights of women.
That’s why having the right governor matters ,and I’m proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger.
In Congress, Abigail held Republicans accountable and fought to protect voting rights and abortion rights.
But it won’t happen without you. Every vote counts, so turn out.
Virginia, Abigail Spanberger is the best choice for governor. Vote for her on November 4th.
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Chris Graham
