Barack Obama urges young people to vote, saying: ‘We can come out of this stronger’ as he hits the campaign trail

President Barack Obama speaking during the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention

Credit: Reuters

Barack Obama called on young Americans to help create a “new normal” in the country and vote as he was due to make his first in person appearance on the campaign trail this year.

The former US president, a politician beloved by Democrats and who remains popular with the electorate at large according to polls, has played a limited role in the race so far.

But on Wednesday afternoon Mr Obama was scheduled to appear at a “drive-in rally” in Philadelphia, a city in Pennsylvania — one of the most critical swing states in the election.

In a video posted on Twitter ahead of the event at a baseball stadium Mr Obama sent a message to younger citizens urging them to vote. 

One of the most inspiring things about this year has been seeing so many young people organizing, marching, and fighting for change. And to change the game on any of the issues we care about, we've got to vote for @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. pic.twitter.com/vfHnP4XPxK

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 21, 2020

“One of the most inspiring things about this year has been to see so many young Americans fired up, organising, marching and fighting for change,” Mr Obama said.

“Your generation can be the one that creates a new normal in America. One that’s fairer, where the system treats everybody equally and gives everybody opportunity. We can come out of this moment stronger than before.”

The 44th president has made a few eye-catching contributions in the race so far on behalf of Joe Biden, who served as Mr Obama’s vice president and is now the Democratic presidential nominee. 

At the Democratic convention in August, Mr Obama delivered a cutting keynote speech likening Donald Trump’s presidency to a “reality show” and praising his former deputy.

But with the Covid-19 pandemic limiting in-person events and Mr Trump again trying to pin his presidential rival as a stooge of the Washington establishment Mr Obama has not played a central role in Mr Biden’s campaign.

The former president’s contributions have largely been focussed on attempting to drive up turnout, especially among young voters.

He has repeatedly argued that, however disillusioned Americans are with the state of modern politics, the only way to affect real change is through the ballot box.

The pair will have a final head-to-head on Thursday night

Credit: AP

On Thursday night, Mr Biden and Mr Trump will meet for the campaign’s second and final head-to-head debate. The meeting will take place at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.

The clash is the biggest remaining set piece in the campaign and gives Mr Trump a late chance to change the dynamics of the race, given tens of millions of Americans are expected to watch. 

Polls have the president trailing Mr Biden by around 9 per cent nationwide, according to a tracker from the website Real Clear Politics, and down in key battleground states.

However pundits have cautioned against presuming the sizable poll lead means Mr Biden is certain to win, noting Mr Trump’s win in 2016 despite a poll deficit and changes to the voting process due to the pandemic having an unknown impact.

All eyes are on whether Mr Trump will change the combative approach he adopted in the first debate, which saw him repeatedly interrupt Mr Biden.

In the days after the clash Mr Biden pulled even further ahead in nationwide polls, even as the president claimed he won the debate.