Former President Barack Obama delivered a blunt message to Democrats during a recent Democratic National Committee fundraiser in New Jersey: toughen up, stop complaining, and get back to work.
“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. “And it’s going to require Democrats to just toughen up.”
Obama’s remarks came as the Democratic Party reels from significant political losses, including the 2024 presidential election and the erosion of legislative power in Congress. President Donald Trump and his allies have pushed forward sweeping policy changes—including a $3.8 trillion tax cut package benefiting the wealthy, stricter immigration enforcement, and deep cuts to Medicaid and other social programs.
Despite the setbacks, Obama stressed that the Democratic Party still has a chance to regain momentum.
“Stop looking for the quick fix. Stop looking for the messiah,” he urged.
“You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates.”
A New Kind of Political Fight
Obama acknowledged the challenges facing the party in a post-Trump political climate. “I’m not surprised by what Trump’s done,” he said, adding that the GOP has abandoned any internal guardrails. But he also emphasized that many of Trump’s policies are unpopular with the American public, citing polling data.
The former president pushed Democrats to invest in a more modern approach to campaigning. Winning in today’s political landscape, he said, means being data-driven, media-savvy, and financially supported.
“That requires money and expertise and time,” he explained.
No Room for Division
Obama also addressed infighting within the Democratic Party, particularly tensions between progressives and moderates pushing an “abundance agenda.”
“Those things are not contradictory,” he said. “You want to deliver for people and make their lives better? You got to figure out how to do it.”
The call was clear: Democrats need to unify, not fragment. Obama said the time for disappointment is over, and it’s time for action—especially with upcoming gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey.
Defend Values, Embrace Discomfort
He encouraged Democrats to stand firm in their values, even when it’s uncomfortable.
“Be willing to be a little bit uncomfortable in defense of your values,” Obama said. “In defense of the country. In defense of the world that you want to leave to your children and grandchildren.”
If Democrats heed that advice, Obama predicted the party could rebuild momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms.
High Stakes, Thin Margins
Democratic strategist Joel Payne, a former Hillary Clinton campaign staffer, echoed Obama’s urgency. He described the current moment as one of “harm reduction,” with the goal of limiting Trump’s influence as much as possible—even with razor-thin margins in Congress.
“Democrats have the opportunity to slow him down,” Payne said. “But… there’s still a real uphill battle to stop the worst of Trump’s impulses.”
With Speaker Mike Johnson currently leading the House, Payne said regaining power—even symbolically—could make a difference. A Democratic majority, however slim, could place Hakeem Jeffries in the Speaker’s seat, offering a stark contrast in leadership.
