While speaking at an event Friday in the runup to the 2018 midterm elections, President Barack Obama let loose on Republican politicians and conservative media who dogged his entire term in office with cynical lies to whip up fears of the conservative base.
Obama pointed out that, during elections, Republicans would manufacture crises and controversies in an attempt to attack his presidency and his agenda. But once the election was passed, they could drop the issue entirely and pretend they never cared so much about it, revealing the pernicious ploy.
"In the 2010 midterms, it was: "Government bureaucrats are gonna kill your grandma!' Remember 'death panels'? Just made it up! But that was a thing. 2014: 'Ebola is going to kill all of us!'" Obama said.
And it wasn't just about him. When Hillary Clinton was running for president, they used this tactic against her as well.
"In the last election, it was Hillary's emails! 'This is terrible!' Hillary's emails! We were hearing emails everywhere. 'This is a national security crisis!'" he said.
Obama continued: "They didn’t care about emails! And you know how you know? Because if they did, they’d be up in arms right now as the Chinese are listening to the president’s iPhone that he leaves in his golf cart. It turns out, I guess it wasn't that important!" Watch the clip below:
"They didn’t care about [Hillary Clinton’s] emails…because if they did, they’d be up in arms right now as the Chinese are listening to the president’s iPhone that he leaves in his golf cart," Barack Obama said at a campaign event, slamming GOP politicians and conservative media pic.twitter.com/KjlLHOTXC5
— POLITICO (@politico) October 26, 2018
Happy Holidays from all of us!

It's that time of year when we all give thanks, and we want to extend that thanks to you. All of us at AlterNet are honored by your readership and support. We hope you and your family enjoy a cozy, joyful Thanksgiving.
AlterNet’s journalists work tirelessly to counter the traditional corporate media narrative. We’re here seven days a week, 365 days a year. And we’re proud to say that we’ve been bringing you the real, unfiltered news for 20 years—longer than any other progressive news site on the Internet.
It’s through the generosity of our supporters that we’re able to share with you all the underreported news you need to know. Independent journalism is increasingly imperiled; ads alone can’t pay our bills. AlterNet counts on readers like you to support our coverage. Did you enjoy content from David Cay Johnston, Common Dreams, Raw Story and Robert Reich? Opinion from Salon and Jim Hightower? Analysis by The Conversation? Then join the hundreds of readers who have supported AlterNet this year.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure AlterNet remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to AlterNet, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |
![]() |