Obama Stumps For Hillary In Philadelphia
by Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- With the Philadelphia Art Museum as the backdrop Tuesday afternoon, President Barack Obama campaigned for the woman he defeated eight years ago.
He urged the crowd of several thousands to register and vote.
President Obama says he's not just going through the motions.
"I am really into electing Hillary Clinton," he told the crowd gathered in Eakins Oval.
That's why, he says, some coverage of the race between Clinton and republican Donald Trump has him frustrated.
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"We've become so partisan, our standards for what's normal have changed and Donald Trump says things every day that used to be considered disqualifying for being president," he said.
For President Obama, this election is about more than parties and politics.
"This is a fundamental choice about who we are as a people. This is about the very meaning of America," he said.
He made the pitch that Hillary Clinton should be the choice and, for her assembled supporters, he said that means a strong get out the vote effort in Philadelphia, where polls show she has enough support to help win the state.
"You've got to want it. You've got to want democracy," said President Obama.
And not just for Clinton, but also to give her democrats in congress to work with.
"If you're serious about our democracy, you gotta be with her. She's in the arena and you can't leave her in there by herself, you got to be with her," he said.
Campaigning for Clinton also gave him a chance to talk about his own record. He touted the 20 million Americans who've received health insurance through the affordable care act.
While he was here, Obama also attended a $33,000-a-head fundraiser for democratic candidates in states across the country.