Barack Obama excelled in connecting with working-class voters

In the past, particularly during his two presidential campaigns, Barack Obama successfully garnered support from working-class voters, including significant portions of white voters who lacked a four-year college degree. His ability to connect with this demographic was instrumental in his victories across key states such as Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. He even secured wins in states like Indiana and North Carolina during one of his campaigns. Obama's political strategy involved addressing the economic concerns stemming from stagnant wages and portraying himself as a moderate on social issues, thereby resonating with voters who experienced anxiety about rapid cultural shifts. By rejecting extreme policy proposals and taking stances that aligned with the sentiments of many voters at the time, he was able to build a broad coalition, though this approach sometimes frustrated more progressive elements within his party. Obama's political conduct highlighted an understanding of the delicate balance between addressing pressing economic issues and navigating the cultural landscape of the United States. He publicly expressed a desire to reduce the number of abortions, advocated for civil unions in lieu of same-sex marriage when most voters shared that perspective, and took a nuanced stance on immigration by criticizing both family separations and the practice of hiring undocumented workers. This moderate positioning endeared him to many voters but occasionally drew criticism from progressives who branded him as a centrist or even a