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Obama Fills the Void in a Fading Democratic Party

October 7, 2025

Former President Barack Obama has reemerged in the political scene with pointed criticisms of President Donald Trump's authoritarian tendencies, including intimidation of universities and press crackdowns. His renewed activism comes as the Democratic Party faces historic low approval ratings, with 59 percent of Democrats disapproving of their party leadership according to Pew Research. Despite Obama's popularity (with a +17 net favorability rating), his return highlights the leadership vacuum within the Democratic Party, which has failed to maintain strong connections with its base, particularly Black-owned media.

Who is affected

  • Democratic Party voters and leadership
  • Black-owned media and Black Press of America
  • Universities and press organizations facing intimidation
  • Democratic leaders (Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries)
  • The Black community
  • Journalists and news networks
  • Americans concerned about democratic values and free speech

What action is being taken

  • Obama is delivering public critiques of Trump's actions, including speeches at Hamilton College and London's O2 Arena
  • Obama is using social media to denounce media companies capitulating to Trump's threats
  • Trump is attempting to incite crowds against Obama at events like the Navy celebration in Virginia
  • Democrats are scrambling to extend ACA subsidies to prevent premium increases
  • Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has pledged $50,000 to support the struggling Black Press

Why it matters

  • The Democratic Party is experiencing its highest level of internal dissatisfaction in over a decade
  • Obama's reemergence highlights the leadership vacuum within the Democratic Party
  • The lack of engagement with Black-owned media threatens to fracture the Democratic coalition
  • Democratic leaders' failure to connect with their base undermines their ability to mobilize voters
  • The party's moral compass and unified messaging on key issues like healthcare is faltering
  • Obama's warnings about authoritarianism and democratic values carry significant weight given his continued popularity

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

Obama Fills the Void in a Fading Democratic Party