Obama is not alone in urging his fellow Democratic colleagues to take a more aggressive approach following the GOP's momentum following 2024. Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and many other high-profile Democrats have urged their colleagues to get more aggressive in countering GOP policies. (Getty Images; Fox News)
"Don’t say that you care deeply about free speech, and then you’re quiet. No, you stand up for free speech when it’s hard. When somebody says something that you don’t like, but you still say, ‘You know what? That person has the right to speak.’ … What’s needed now is courage," Obama added in his remarks at the fundraiser, which drew in $2.5 million and was hosted by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife, Tammy Murphy, at their home.
"Stop looking for the quick fix," he added. "Stop looking for the messiah. You have great candidates running races right now. Support those candidates."
The former president pointed particularly at the upcoming elections in New Jersey and Virginia. Later this year, Virginia will face a major gubernatorial battle between incumbent GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin's Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and former long-time Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va.
In New Jersey, Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who was reportedly in attendance at the Friday fundraiser, is running for her state's open gubernatorial seat against GOP candidate Jack Ciattarelli.
Member of the New York House of Representatives, Zohran Mamdani attends an event at the National Action Network House of Justice in Harlem, Manhattan, New York, United States on June 28, 2025. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu)
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"There’s been, I gather, some argument between the left of the party and people who are promoting the quote-unquote abundance agenda. Listen, those things are not contradictory. You want to deliver for people and make their lives better? You got to figure out how to do it," Obama said Friday.
"I don’t care how much you love working people. They can’t afford a house because all the rules in your state make it prohibitive to build. And zoning prevents multifamily structures because of NIMBY," he added, referring to "not in my backyard" views by residents who oppose development in their neighborhoods. "I don’t want to know your ideology, because you can’t build anything. It does not matter."
Obama said that what was being asked of his fellow Democratic Party leaders was to "make some effort to stand up" for what they believe is right, even if it makes them a "little bit uncomfortable."
Fox News Digital reached out to Obama's office for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-tells-democrat-big-wigs-toughen-up-start-backing-candidates-can-actually-win