Obama’s swipe at Trump

FORMER US president Barack Obama stepped back into the political spotlight at the weekend, declaring the November midterm Congress elections would give Americans “a chance to restore some sanity in our politics”.

Without actually naming Donald Trump, Mr Obama took a clear swipe at his successor as he campaigned in California for fellow Democrats to regain control of the House of Representatives.

“We’re in a challenging moment because, when you look at the arc of American history, there’s always been a push and pull between those who want to go forward and those who want to look back, between those who want to divide and those are seeking to bring people together, between those who promote the politics of hope and those who exploit the politics of fear,” he said.

Mr Obama’s appearance — a day after a strongly worded critique of Mr Trump at the University of Illinois — touched on themes of retirement security, climate change and education.

“If we don’t step up, things can get worse,” he said at the Anaheim Convention Centre.

“In two months, we have the chance to restore some sanity to our politics.

“We have the chance to flip the House of Representatives and make sure there are real checks and balances in Washington.”

But Vice-President Mike Pence hit back.

“The truth is, the American people in 2016 rejected the policy and direction of Barack Obama when they elected President Donald Trump,” he said.

Mr Pence said it was “very disappointing” to see Mr Obama break with the tradition of former presidents, who largely shun the campaign trail, and “become so political”.

He said Mr Obama rolled out “the same tired arguments that he and liberals have made over the last eight years”.