CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ President Barack Obama infused new energy into Hillary Clinton's bid for the White House as he joined her on the stump for the first time Tuesday, making a forceful case for her candidacy after the two arrived together in Charlotte, N.C., on Air Force One.
The address offered a glimpse of Obama's role in the Clinton campaign, and it is likely to be a potent one. The president, a natural campaigner, captivated the crowd in a state that is a must-win for Donald Trump, speaking admirably of Clinton's experience and judgment while laying out the policy gains made under his administration that are at risk if Democrats lose the White House.
The event came at a welcome time for Clinton, who is scrambling to contain the damage from some of the harsh assessments the FBI made about her emailing practices while she was secretary of state. Although the FBI ultimately advised against indicting Clinton, Director James B. Comey described the private server Clinton set up in her house as reckless.
Neither Obama nor Clinton mentioned the FBI findings, announced just hours before they took the stage in front of a large crowd at the Charlotte Convention Center. But Obama spoke at length about Clinton's character and why he believes she is the most qualified nominee Democrats have ever had.
"Sometimes we act as if never having done something and not knowing what you are doing is a virtue," Obama said, joking about how he benefited from the voter excitement a fresh face can generate when he first ran. "That means sometimes Hillary doesn't get the credit she deserves. The fact is, Hillary is steady. And Hillary is true. And she is in politics for the same reasons I am, because we can improve people's lives through this work."
Obama's easiness on the stump Tuesday was a notable contrast to Clinton, who stuck to her standard campaign talking points when she spoke. The president peppered his remarks with crowd-pleasing one-liners about North Carolina food and its basketball and, of course, mockery of Donald Trump.
"We were in a hole when I came into office, but right now the world, the rest of the world thinks we are pretty great," Obama said. "And you can look that up. That's a fact. It is not something I just made up and tweeted."
