And wow, did you have thoughts! Nearly 800 of you wrote to share your views of Mr. Obama’s remarks, and the reaction was, shall we say, fiercely divided.
Here’s what some of you had to say:
“He misunderstands how many people, including those of us who like him, still see his signature achievements as half delivered. … We didn’t just want hope. We wanted him to fight for us. And now, living in Trump’s America, we want someone who will fight for us.” — Diana Wynne, San Francisco
“I am a Democrat who thinks that President Obama’s remarks were spot on. I am terrified that Democrats will lose the next election if we have a left-wing candidate in 2020. I think some Democrats and most independents will not be willing to vote for someone on the left wing of the Democratic Party. They just might decide to not vote at all.” — Julia Gibson, The Woodlands, Texas
“I think he was wrong. People know much of what politicians say when running for office is aspirational. We know they can’t waive a magic wand and make it so. We also know that on several fronts, including the environment especially, we are running out of time. This is a time for bold policy ideas, not incrementalism.” — Mark Burnham, Cranston, R.I.
“I’m here in rural Wisconsin. I think he’s right that people aren’t ready for such dramatic change. It does not seem timely to expect voters to swerve so dramatically left now, when they need to be coaxed back into trusting a Democratic Party that will show up for an average American who is neither far left or far right.” — Sharon LaCour, Amery, Wis.
“Obama’s not reading the country. Maybe too busy hobnobbing with the rich and famous to see that America is losing its innocence. People want change, real change. Not the porridge they were fed during his administration.” — Wanda Gumm, Los Angeles
“Clearly he is giving his best advice — and I agree 100 percent. … Our extended family is 24 voters — 20 registered Republicans, all of whom will vote for Biden and who all voted for Gov. Kasich [John Kasich of Ohio, a 2016 Republican primary candidate], not Trump. They will never vote for anyone left of Biden,” — Susan Martin, Cincinnati