Obama Urged to Counter Trump More in 'Crisis Moment,' Says MSNBC Panelist

In a spirited discussion on MSNBC's "The Weekend," Shaniqua McClendon, vice president of political strategy at Crooked Media, called on former President Barack Obama to step into the spotlight more frequently during what she describes as a moment of crisis for the nation. Her comments come on the heels of Obama’s recent urging for Democrats to "toughen up" at a July fundraiser, where he criticized the party for excessive complaining and urged action over apathy.

McClendon acknowledged Obama’s powerful presence, noting that few Democrats can command attention the way he does in today’s fragmented media landscape. "If every time Donald Trump said or did something outlandish, Barack Obama held a press conference, imagine the impact," she mused, emphasizing that his voice still carries weight when many others struggle to be heard.

While Obama’s advice to stop the "navel-gazing" and get to work resonated with McClendon, she argued that the former president must lead by example. She pointed to the dire stakes at play, with rights being eroded daily, and insisted that Obama’s ability to refocus public attention on these issues could be a game-changer. However, MSNBC host Catherine Rampell raised a potential downside—would Obama’s increased presence suck up all the oxygen, overshadowing other Democratic voices?

McClendon dismissed such concerns, arguing that most Democrats aren’t breaking through the noise anyway, with exceptions like Reps. Jasmine Crockett and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Her point was clear: in a time of urgency, Obama’s influence isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.