Barack Obama campaigns for Democratic candidates at a rally in Nevada on Wednesday.Credit:AP
Speaking to an enthusiastic audience in the northern suburbs of Las Vegas,Obama condemned the vicious attack on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband last week;warned about the ongoing erosion of American democracy;and urged the party faithful to encourage undecided residents to vote.
He said that he had spoken to Paul Pelosi,who is still recovering after being clubbed with a hammer in his homeby an overnight intruder searching for his wife – the second most powerful woman in the country after Vice President Kamala Harris.
“He’s going to be ok,” Obama said but added:“One thing’s clear:this increasing habit of demonising political opponents creates a dangerous climate,and elected officials who do not explicitly reject,or participate in,over-the-top rhetoric …[will ensure that] more people are going to get hurt.”
Loading
Obama’s comments came as the man charged with breaking into the Pelosi home,42-year-old David DePape,attended his first court appearance since Friday’s brutal assault with his arm in a sling – the consequence of a dislocated shoulder when he was arrested by police.
During the hearing,it was revealed that not only was DePape on the hunt for the Speaker,he was also on a “suicide mission”,filled with “political misinformation” and had planned to target more politicians.
The Nevada rally was the latest in a series of events Obama has headlined as Democrats become increasingly concerned that voter sentiment over record inflation rates,high fuel prices and the soaring cost of living will result in the party losing its wafer-thin Congressional majority at the November 8 midterms.