Former President Barack Obama is pointing voters to a tweet issued by Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden a year ago as evidence of why they should vote for the former vice president.
On Oct. 25 in 2019, Biden tweeted, “We are not prepared for a pandemic. Trump has rolled back progress President Obama and I made to strengthen global health security. We need leadership that builds public trust, focuses on real threats, and mobilizes the world to stop outbreaks before they reach our shores.”
Obama highlighted the tweet and reminded Americans Biden is capable of leading the nation through the pandemic.
“Eight months into the pandemic, as new cases are breaking records, we need an administration that’s not going to wave the white flag. A year ago today, [Joe Biden] was talking about the leadership we need to get prepared for a pandemic, and he’s got a plan to get it under control,” Obama said.
Eight months into the pandemic, as new cases are breaking records, we need an administration that’s not going to wave the white flag. A year ago today, @JoeBiden was talking about the leadership we need to get prepared for a pandemic, and he’s got a plan to get it under control. https://t.co/A49pTJEQc9
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 25, 2020
Obama criticized Trump’s coronavirus response while he was stumping for Biden in Philadelphia on Wednesday, as IJR previously reported.
“Donald Trump isn’t suddenly going to protect all of us,” he said. “He can’t even take the basic steps to protect himself.”
He also took aim at Trump for failing to take his job seriously, as IJR previously reported.
“I did hope for the sake of the country that he might show some interest in taking the job seriously, but it hasn’t happened. He hasn’t shown any interest in doing the work or helping anybody but himself and his friends, or treating the presidency like a reality show that he can use to get attention,” Obama said.
He added, “By the way even then his TV ratings are down. So you know that upsets him. But the thing is, this is not a reality show. This is reality.”
Trump responded in a tweet on Thursday.
“Obama is campaigning for us. Every time he speaks, people come over to our side. He didn’t even want to endorse Sleepy Joe. Did so long after primaries were over!” Trump wrote.