Obama Tells Democrats to ‘Toughen Up’

Former President Barack Obama urged Democrats to stop “navel-gazing” and take action ahead of key governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia.

Former President Barrack Obama speaks at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 20, 2024. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

Former President Barack Obama told Democrats attending a private New Jersey fundraiser on July 12 that the party needs to “toughen up.”

“I think it’s going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions,” Obama said, according to excerpts of his remarks exclusively obtained by CNN.

Obama’s comments come shortly after his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, said on a podcast that she has no plans to return to political life, saying that she will no longer give campaign speeches or campaign for candidates.

“I am not going to be in politics. I’m not giving another political speech. I’m not campaigning for another candidate,” she said during an interview on Wildcard, a podcast from NPR, released on June 26. “But I’m here.”

The former president told Democrats attending the fundraiser, which was hosted by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, that if they are disappointed right now, this “is exactly the time that you get in there and do something.”

“Don’t say that you care deeply about free speech and then you’re quiet. No, you stand up for free speech when it’s hard. When somebody says something that you don’t like, but you still say, ‘You know what, that person has the right to speak.’ ... What’s needed now is courage,” he said.

As the party searches for its next leader, Obama told those in attendance to focus on gubernatorial races this year in New Jersey and Virginia, noting that off-year elections could be “a big jumpstart for where we need to go.”

“Stop looking for the quick fix,” he added. “Stop looking for the messiah. You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates.”

Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) is the Democratic nominee for governor in Virginia, while Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) is the Democratic nominee to replace Murphy. Obama described the representatives as “powerful spokespersons for a pragmatic, commonsense desire to help people.“ He said they both ”have remarkable track records of service.”

He also said the Democratic National Committee needs better funding and resources to compete in what he expects to be a more digital and social media–driven campaign cycle.

Obama also addressed recent tensions inside the party between progressives and centrists, particularly over issues like housing and economic growth. He said Democrats need to focus less on internal debates and more on results that improve people’s lives.

Since President Donald Trump returned to office in January, Obama has kept a relatively low profile, though he has publicly criticized the administration’s tariff policies and warned of threats to democratic norms. At the fundraiser, he also called on universities, law firms, and other institutions to push back against perceived political intimidation.

“What’s being asked of us is make some effort to stand up for the things that you think are right and be willing to be a little bit uncomfortable in defense of your values,” he added.

“And in defense of the country. And in defense of the world that you want to leave to your children and your grandchildren. And if we all do that, if we do our jobs over the next year and a half, then I think we will rebuild momentum and we will position ourselves to get this country moving in the direction it should.”

The Epoch Times reached out to the office of Barack and Michelle Obama and the Obama Foundation for the excerpts but did not receive a response.