In the closing days of the gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, political theatrics are hitting new heights, as former President Obama has returned to the stage, casting his influential shadow to drum up support for Democratic candidates. Yes, you heard that right—Obama, the man whose presidency is now a distant memory, is out on the campaign trail again. He’s playing the proverbial knight in shining armor, attempting to save Democratic hopefuls from themselves. In Virginia, he’s supporting none other than Abigail Spanberger, a former congresswoman who dreams of the governor’s mansion.
Spanberger is doing her best to come across as a champion of Virginia families and the economy. However, she’s more interested in attacking her opponent, Winsome Earle-Sears, and painting herself as a moderate, an identity many Virginia voters might find as credible as a unicorn. Earle-Sears, on the other hand, isn’t mincing words, declaring that Spanberger’s moderate mask hides her allegiance to special interests and unpopular energy policies. Spanberger’s reluctance to distance herself from Jacob Jones, the controversial attorney general candidate with some unsavory 2022 texts, doesn’t exactly lend itself to the image of a principled moderate either.
Obama’s campaign stop isn’t just confined to Virginia. He’s also heading north to New Jersey, where Mikie Sherrill is running for governor. Sherrill faces off against Republican Jack Ciattarelli, pivoting her campaign with effortful attempts to connect Ciattarelli to former President Trump, hoping the association sticks like glue in a state hungry for progressive maneuvers. Meanwhile, Ciattarelli is hammering on about increasing energy costs, a sure-fire way to ruffle voters already stretched thin by Democratic fiscal policies.
It’s as if the Democrats haven’t rewritten their playbook since 2016. Equating every Republican with Trump could either be a stroke of genius or a sign of desperation. Meanwhile, voters might be asking if Obama is offering anything new or just dusting off the old rhetoric. Critics could argue that his appearance is like an award show encore nobody asked for—compelling to some, but lacking substance.
In the grand scheme of things, these rallies and finger-pointings are no doubt distractions from the issues voters care about most. From economy-crippling inflation to energy costs that keep ballooning faster than a Fourth of July parade float, both races carry significant weight. One can only hope when the curtain drops, the drama of campaign season culminates in real solutions for the people, not just in promises echoing from podiums.
