Former President Barack Obama and a host of his former associates celebrated on Sunday 10 years since the one-time junior senator from Illinois was elected to be the country’s 44th president in 2008.
Obama, who spent his anniversary campaigning for Democrats ahead of Tuesday’s 2018 midterm elections, marked the occasion in a social media post urging voters to cast ballots this week. It was a message he reiterated during appearances on the trail in Gary, Ind., and his hometown of Chicago, Ill.
“As I reflect on election night ten years ago today, I can’t help but think about where my political career started. I wasn’t running for office. I was running a voter-registration drive in Chicago,” he wrote. “When more people get off the sidelines and decide to participate, our country becomes a little more representative of its people — of everyone’s collective decision. And American politics can change as a result.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden, who also has done a great deal of campaigning for Democrats this election cycle, reminded voters that “the work” he and Obama began a decade ago on Nov. 4 remains unfinished.
“If you still believe, as I do, that hope is more powerful than fear, then show up and vote. And bring five people with you,” he tweeted, referring to Grant Park, the venue where Obama delivered his victory address as the first black president-elect in U.S. history.
The work we began that night ten years ago in Grant Park is unfinished.
If you still believe, as I do, that hope is more powerful than fear, then show up and vote. And bring five people with you. pic.twitter.com/SOLx6WfZjL
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 4, 2018
The New York Times re-circulated its front page covering the results of the 2008 presidential election, while former Obama Attorney General Eric Holder said the 2018 midterm cycle represented an opportunity to “return to federal, state and local governments that focus on the welfare of the average person and that we can be proud of.”
Racial Barriers Fall: Barack Obama is elected as the first black president of the United States, 10 years ago today. https://t.co/8gSz4k0GAN pic.twitter.com/0fiewVSr1Y
— NYT Archives (@NYTArchives) November 4, 2018
We can return to federal, state and local governments that focus on the welfare of the average person and that we can be proud of. We have the power to make that happen again – vote. https://t.co/Dk1x14Vv66
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) November 4, 2018
Obama’s 2008 campaign manager David Plouffe praised “a deeply committed and talented campaign team” and “millions of grassroots volunteers” for the win. Strategist David Axelrod simply remembered “an unforgettable night.”
10 years ago today a remarkable candidate, a deeply committed and talented campaign team and millions of grassroots volunteers made history together.
— David Plouffe (@davidplouffe) November 4, 2018
Ten years ago. What an unforgettable night! pic.twitter.com/Sxm0vPCDiG
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) November 4, 2018
Obama returned to the political spotlight in recent weeks to tout Democratic candidates ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections, promoting their policy platforms and defending his legacy in the era of President Trump.
Trump hit Obama on Friday for re-entering the political fray.
“We don’t want to go back to the Obama days of low wages, high unemployment, rising crime, open borders, far-left judges, oppressive regulations, horrible, horrible trade deals, disastrous foreign policy — look at the mess I inherited in North Korea, and look at how well we’re doing now — and terrible healthcare,” Trump said during a campaign stop in Indianapolis, Ind.
