Obama returns to campaigning to rally Black voters

Former US President Barack Obama will hit the campaign trail on October 18 for the first time since leaving office, publicly stumping for Democratic gubernatorial candidates in Virginia and New Jersey in preparation for this fall's elections, reports the Chicago Tribune. The New York Times describes Obama’s appearances on behalf of two white candidates in predominantly black cities as Democrats struggle to inspire African-Americans to vote this year. In Alabama where voters go to the polls on December 12, Doug Jones, a former prosecutor, is running a competitive race for the Senate against the firebrand social conservative Roy Moore. The Independent argues that Obama may be a draw, but there are limits to what he can accomplish as a surrogate campaigner during brief forays into electoral politics. Officials with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee briefed party strategists in October on plans to conduct research in several states, including New Jersey and Virginia, to identify issues most likely to motivate minority voting in 2018. In Virginia, Northam has targeted black voters in the final weeks of the race, frequenting black churches and campaigning with Eric Holder Jr, the former attorney general, in addition to Obama. Elected Democrats in Virginia suggest the anger toward Trump will ultimately translate into votes for his opposition. According to the Chicago Tribune, the former president is planning more public appearances as the year closes, and preparation for the all-important 2018 midterm elections begins. Obama will first drop in on campaign workers in Newark, New Jersey, for a private "canvass kickoff" for Democratic candidate Phil Murphy, who is running against Republican Kim Guadagno. The former US president will then head to Richmond in an effort to help boost Democrat Ralph Northam in his campaign against Republican Ed Gillespie. At the end of the month, Obama goes to Chicago to head up his first Obama Foundation leadership summit on October 31 and November 1, bringing in speakers that include England's Prince Harry, former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and artists Gloria Estefan, Chance the Rapper, and indie rock band The National.