Former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton spoke at a fundraiser for President Joe Biden about why economic concerns remain high despite positive economic indicators.
Obama said there are structural problems like weakened unions that frustrate people.
Clinton argued that Donald Trump wrongly took credit for the strong economy he inherited from Obama.
“If you’re working hard, and your paycheck is getting stretched, beyond the breaking point, and you’re worried about rent, and you’re concerned about the price of gas, it’s understandable,” Obama said.
Obama urged supporting Biden, saying Trump would not look out for ordinary Americans.
“Who do you think is actually going to look out for you?” Obama said.
Clinton compared the current situation to 2016, saying the 2008 financial crisis limited Obama’s accomplishments and people didn’t fully feel the economic progress by the end of his term, though they did later.
Both aimed to convince the audience not to repeat the mistake of 2016 by sticking with Biden for a second term.
“President Trump, let’s be honest, had a pretty good couple of years ‘cause he stole them from Barack Obama,” Clinton said.
“I listened to him tell us how terrible the American economy was all during 2016 and then by January 2017, after the inauguration, it had become wonderful, miraculously, overnight.”