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(GARY, Ind.) – Former President Barack Obama congratulated Indiana Democrat Senator Joe Donnelly on Sunday for his willingness to break up with his party, declaring to a delirious crowd at the time. a rally in this state that "you do not just want a man" yes "."
Donnelly has more air of President Donald Trump as he was trying to persuade conservative voters in the Midwest to grant him a second term. It has angered some Democrats by attacking the right wing over the last few weeks and taking up some of Trump's priorities, such as building a border wall with Mexico.
But Obama told voters at the rally at Gary that Donnelly "was trying to get people right" – not just his party – and said he was supporting the Affordable Care Act, overhauling past health care under Obama.
"Joe Donnelly and I have not always agreed. But Joe always let me know where he was standing and I knew how he believed and what he was always focused on: "What is the best thing for the Hoosiers he has served?" Obama. "He was honest and direct. So, you can count on that. That's what you want. You do not just want a man all the time. "
Obama's visit was between his successor's trips to the state on Friday and Monday on behalf of GOP Senate candidate Mike Braun.
For Braun, a businessman who has campaigned as an unyielding ally for Trump, the appearances of the current president in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne are undoubtedly in a state he had won two years ago from 19 points. But for Donnelly, who often praises the frequency with which he votes with Trump, the Obama rally was a little more complicated.
"If he needs to come to terms with some of his firmer conservative rhetoric, it's a pretty effective way to do it," said Christina Hale, former state legislator and candidate Democrat as Lieutenant Governor in 2016.
Obama has revealed a polarizing character among independent and Republican voters. He is credited with part of Indiana 's political right – wing turn, even though he won the state in 2008. To win Tuesday' s election, Donnelly not only needed to win the election. a strong participation from the base of his party, but take off a few moderate and independent Republicans.
That's why Sunday's rally in Gary, a heavily African-American city that has more in common with the Democratic bastion of the neighboring city of Chicago than deep red areas, could be strategic. Hillary Clinton supported Hillary Clinton in 2016, and the participation rate in the region will be crucial for Donnelly.
Obama criticized the Republicans for passing a tax bill that benefited the well-to-do and tried to end the protections of pre-existing conditions under the Affordable Care Act. And without mentioning Trump's name, he told the crowd that they could bring the country back to a more lenient and less confrontational policy.
"On Tuesday, you can vote for a decent, honest and legal policy that Joe Donnelly is doing," he said, adding that his voice had become hoarse after all the campaigns he had been conducting in recent days .
Trump was perfectly aware of Obama 's visit, which he mentioned Friday at an event in a high school in the Indianapolis region.
"It's no surprise that Joe Donnelly is organizing a rally this weekend with Barack H. Obama," said Trump as the crowd mocked him. He then added, "We do not want to go back to the time of Obama."
As a red state democrat, Donnelly has a target on the back since his unexpected defeat of Republican Richard Mourdock in 2012, when the former state treasurer stated that a woman who gets pregnant with her rapist carries a "gift from God".
Donnelly has since crossed a delicate line, often frustrating his own party and the Republicans with the votes that he takes.
Trump had none on Friday, tying Donnelly to personalities from the party's "radical left", widely criticized by the GOP's base.
"This Tuesday, I need the people of Indiana to send a message to Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters and the Radical Democrats by voting for Mike Braun," said Trump as the crowd gets closer. raised. "I really talk to TV cameras more than you because I do not think we have too many Donnelly voters. Someone will vote for Donnelly in this room?
The boos have become even stronger.
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