Obama sings Clinton's praises at emphatic North Carolina rally


Speaking at a joint campaign rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, President Obama on Tuesday delivered a resounding speech that basically boiled down to one thing: #ImWithHer.
In his first appearance with Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail, Obama spoke about Clinton's qualifications and how the election in November is really not a choice at all. "This is not a choice — the other side has nothing to offer you," he told the crowd, which was dotted with blue signs bearing the slogan "Stronger Together." Obama lavished praise upon Clinton's credentials and extensive experience, and even credited her time as his secretary of state as a reason global perception of America has improved since he took office in 2009:
Obama was clearly fired up during his speech, emphatically making the case for Clinton. "The fact is that Hillary is steady, and Hillary is true, and she's been in politics for the same reason I have: because we can improve people’s lives by doing this work,” Obama said. Without mentioning presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump by name, Obama took shots at Clinton's general election rival, saying the "other team" would be terrible economically for the average American and mocking the idea that Twitter usage equates to leadership ability.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Earlier Tuesday, FBI Director James Comey announced the bureau would not recommend charges be pressed against Clinton for her use of a private email server while secretary of state. While neither Clinton nor Obama acknowledged the issue Tuesday in Charlotte, Obama told the crowd he trusted Clinton's judgment and appeared to downplay attacks on Clinton's character. "Sometimes we take somebody who's been in the trenches and fought the good fight and been steady for granted. Sometimes we act as if never having done something and not knowing what you're doing is a virtue," Obama said. "Hillary has her critics ... That's what happens when you dedicate yourself to public service over the course of a lifetime."
Continuing the parade of heavy-hitting Democrats stumping for Clinton, she will appear Friday in Pennsylvania flanked by Vice President Joe Biden.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kimberly Alters is the news editor at TheWeek.com. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
How will Ford reinvent EV manufacturing to compete with China?
Today's Big Question Henry Ford's assembly line system is being replaced
-
The latest entry in Ethan Coen's queer trilogy, a Jeff Buckley documentary and the rare children's horror flick in August movies
the week recommends The month's film releases include 'Honey Don't!,' 'It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley' and 'Sketch'
-
Switzerland could experience unique economic problems from Trump's tariffs
In the Spotlight The current US tariff rate on Switzerland is among the highest in the world
-
Trump picks conservative BLS critic to lead BLS
speed read He has nominated the Heritage Foundation's E.J. Antoni to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics
-
Trump takes over DC police, deploys National Guard
Speed Read The president blames the takeover on rising crime, though official figures contradict this concern
-
Trump sends FBI to patrol DC, despite falling crime
Speed Read Washington, D.C., 'has become one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the world,' Trump said
-
Trump officials reinstating 2 Confederate monuments
Speed Read The administration has plans to 'restore Confederate names and symbols' discarded in the wake of George Floyd's 2020 murder
-
Trump nominates Powell critic for vacant Fed seat
speed read Stephen Miran, the chair of Trump's Council of Economic Advisers and a fellow critic of Fed chair Jerome Powell, has been nominated to fill a seat on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors
-
ICE scraps age limits amid hiring push
Speed Read Anyone 18 or older can now apply to be an ICE agent
-
Trump's global tariffs take effect, with new additions
Speed Read Tariffs on more than 90 US trading partners went into effect, escalating the global trade war
-
House committee subpoenas Epstein files
Speed Read The House Oversight Committee has issued a subpoena to the Justice Department for its Jeffrey Epstein files with an Aug. 19 deadline