The Los Angeles Post

It’s President Trump versus former President Obama for the 2018 midterms

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Some liberals have been frustrated by Obama for keeping a low profile since leaving office. With the former president offstage, the Democratic Party has lacked an obvious leader as it seeks to recover from a devastating 2016 election cycle and the ongoing conflicts between the grass-roots and establishment wings of the party.

 

But Obama announced his return to politics on Wednesday, endorsing dozens of Democratic candidates at all levels of government. The president also has a memoir on the way and a deal with Netflix. He had been working behind the scenes to raise money for the Democratic campaign arms and a few candidates.

 

The endorsements marked a cautious first dip into the 2018 midterms cycle for the former president, who notably steered clear of several high-profile or contentious races on Wednesday.

 

Obama did not endorse Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D), the self-described democratic socialist who defeated longtime Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) in shocking fashion, or New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), who faces a primary challenge from the left in actress Cynthia Nixon (D).

 

The former president also passed on endorsing Democratic incumbents up for reelection in the Senate. The only Senate candidate he endorsed is Rep. Jacky Rosen (Nev.), who is challenging Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.). The list of endorsements does not include Rep. Beto O’Rourke (R), who appears to be within striking distance of Sen. Ted Cruz (R) in Texas.

 

Another round of endorsements will come before Nov. 6. In the meantime, the former president will focus on the redistricting efforts led by his former attorney general, Eric Holder, and campaign on behalf of the candidates he’s endorsed.

 

Trump, of course, is already in full campaign mode.

 

He holds a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on Thursday to stump for Rep. Lou Barletta (R), the underdog trying to unseat incumbent Sen. Bob Casey Jr.(D) in a state the president narrowly won in 2016.

 

On Saturday, Trump will head to the Delaware County Fair in Ohio to stump for state Sen. Troy Balderson (R), who is fighting to hold on to the reliably Republican seat in Ohio’s 12th District in a special election against Democrat Danny O’Connor. Trump carried the district by more than 11 points in 2016 but a Monmouth University survey released Wednesday found the race to be a dead heat.

 

We’ll also get another test of Trump’s grip on the GOP on Thursday, as primary voters head to the polls in Tennessee. Trump is backing Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R), who is expected to triumph in her primary and face former Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) in a Senate race that is a priority for both parties.