Obama: Ohio voters can end two years of chaos

Former President Barack Obama told Ohio voters on Saturday that they have a chance to stop a two-year stretch of governmental dysfunction.

Speaking at a Democratic midterm rally, Obama criticized President Donald Trump’s second term. He described the period as one of chaos, cruelty, and corruption that has not been seen in the modern era. Obama specifically targeted the administration's foreign policy choices. He argued that the president decided to start an unnecessary war that nobody asked for, a reference to the conflict with Iran.

The rally addressed a contentious issue in the state's gubernatorial race. Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy recently aired an attack ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton's mother, Donna Arthur. Arthur disputed Acton's account of a childhood marked by homelessness and sexual abuse by her stepfather. Acton stated she has not seen her mother since 1978. Her brother has supported her story. The stepfather, who died in 2004, was charged with rape.

Obama defended Acton against the advertisement. He said she has spoken movingly about her painful childhood and the abuse, neglect, and homelessness she experienced. He criticized Ramaswamy for crossing lines and sinking to low standards of behavior. Obama said he did not know how the standards of behavior became so low that someone could run such an ad.

The former president shared the stage with Acton and Sherrod Brown. Brown is seeking a comeback against incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted. Polls indicate that Democrats hold a slight lead in both the gubernatorial and Senate races. However, results in both contests are expected to be close.

Obama urged Ohioans to vote against the Republican administration. He said that after two years of chaos and incompetence, voters get a chance to say enough is enough.