President Obama said at a campaign event in Burlington, Vt., today that this November would be a “clarifying election” for America.
“It’s enormous — a lot is at stake in this election,” Obama said. “And we’re going to have to fight for it.”
He told the luncheon of about 100 supporters, who paid at least $7,500 each, at the Sheraton hotel that this year’s vote is more important than 2008, throwing some kudos to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) along the way.
“In 2008, I was running against a candidate who believed in climate change, believed in immigration reform, believed in the notion of reducing deficits in a balanced way. We had some profound disagreements but the Republican candidate for president understood that some of these challenges required compromise and bipartisanship,” Obama said.
“And what we’ve witnessed lately is a fundamentally different vision of America and who we are,” he continued. “It’s an America that says — or it’s a vision that says that America is about looking out for yourself, not for other people.”
The president, who was greeted in Burlington by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), slammed Budget Chairman Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) “Path to Prosperity,” which passed the House yesterday.
“I’m going to need your help,” Obama told the donors. “And in some ways, it may be a little harder because it has lost some of the novelty, right? When back in ’08, it was cool to say, oh, you know, I’m supporting this guy Obama — you heard of him?”
“Let me tell you about him,” he added. “Now I’m old hat, I’m gray. But my determination is undiminished.”
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