Post Reports – "What’s Obama been up to?"

Air Date: October 27, 2025
Host: Colby Itkowitz
Guest: Yasmeen Abutaleb (Politics reporter, The Washington Post)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the evolving political role of former President Barack Obama. With Democrats struggling for direction during Donald Trump's second term, Obama—once reserved in his post-presidential commentary—has felt compelled to take a more active role. Politics reporter Yasmeen Abutaleb explains why Obama is speaking out now, how he's influencing redistricting battles, and what this means for the future of Democratic leadership.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Obama’s Post-Presidential Political Engagement

[01:00-02:33]

• Obama’s strategy since leaving office centers on building a party that can survive without him, focusing on elevating new leaders and providing behind-the-scenes counsel.
• Traditionally, he’s reserved his public commentary for moments when he feels “a line was crossed,” especially during Trump’s first term as his immediate successor.
• However, Trump’s second term has alarmed Obama more, resulting in more frequent interventions, as Democrats appear “rudderless” and less united.

“He’s the only Democrat right now who, when he speaks, it sort of carries the response for the entire party for the day.”
— Yasmeen Abutaleb [02:40]

2. Key Moments When Obama Spoke Out

[02:37-03:59, 11:27-11:42]

• After the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Obama strongly denounced political violence:

  “The premise of our democratic system is that we have to be able to disagree… without resort to violence.”
  — Barack Obama [03:16]

• Spoke out against HHS guidance discouraging pregnant women from taking Tylenol, labeling it a battle in the larger “war of misinformation.”
• Obama also became outspoken in the intensifying redistricting battles, alarmed by unprecedented partisan maneuvers.

3. The 2025 Redistricting Fight: Texas vs. California

[03:59-08:58]

• Trump initiated a mid-decade redistricting push in Texas, bypassing the usual demographic justification, aiming to solidify Republican control.
  • Trump openly called for redrawing maps to pick up “five more seats”:

    “No, no, I just a very simple redrawing. We pick up five seats…”
    — Donald Trump [05:00]

  • Claimed, “I am entitled to those five seats and I won Texas.” [05:26]
• This deeply alarmed Obama, who, since 2017, has championed nonpartisan redistricting through his support for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC) with Eric Holder.
• Democrats debated whether to respond in kind—California Governor Newsom proposed temporarily redrawing California’s map to counter Texas, pending voter approval (Prop 50).
• Obama and Holder, typically advocates for nonpartisan approaches, decided the stakes warranted supporting Newsom’s plan.

4. Obama’s Unprecedented Behind-the-Scenes Role

[09:24-11:03]

• Obama tirelessly lobbied key players:
  • Consulted with Eric Holder, Nancy Pelosi, and Gavin Newsom to strategize messaging and build support.
  • His endorsement provided crucial cover for wavering Democrats, essentially moving the party en masse.

  “Once Obama said, no, I support Newsom’s plan, then every other Democrat felt like they had cover to do so.”
  — Yasmeen Abutaleb [18:24]

• Obama filmed a widely circulated ad in support of Prop 50, credited by Newsom’s team as having overwhelming impact:

  “California, the whole nation is counting on you. Democracy is on the ballot November 4th… With Prop 50, you can stop Republicans in their tracks.”
  — Barack Obama (Prop 50 ad) [11:27]

5. Internal Conflict: Obama and Gerrymandering

[11:54-12:51]

• Notably, Obama and Holder, who founded NDRC to counter gerrymandering, found themselves advocating for a partisan redrawing.
• Contrary to expectations, neither needed to be “cajoled” into it. Seeing democracy itself at risk, they chose action despite previous principles.

6. Obama’s Assessment of the Democratic Party

[15:16-17:00]

• Obama’s activism reflects concern over Democratic disunity and timidity post-2024, when the party lost the White House and Congress.
  • Democrats “haven’t found a cogent message” on key issues and seem “afraid to take Trump on.”
  • Losses in recent elections damaged party confidence, making bold opposition riskier.
• Obama views his interventions as a way to restore unity and purpose—but is careful not to overshadow new leadership.

7. The Unprecedented Nature of Obama’s Role

[17:09-18:24]

• No modern precedent for a former president so directly shaping intra-party and policy battles years after leaving office.
• Obama’s careful coordination and permission-setting have been transformative but raise questions about Democratic leadership succession.

8. Demand for Obama’s Leadership

[18:24-20:15]

• Contrary to speculation, most Democratic leaders want more Obama intervention, not less.
• His team seeks to avoid overuse of his influence to preserve its potency and to allow new leaders to emerge.
• Criticism lingers that he didn’t leave the party stronger at the end of his presidency, making current efforts a kind of corrective.

9. Obama’s Forward-Looking Political Involvement

[20:15-21:33]

• Obama times his public efforts for maximum impact, especially ahead of elections.
  • Examples: Prop 50 campaign, upcoming events with gubernatorial candidates in Virginia and New Jersey.
• Expect his visibility to increase as the 2026 midterms approach.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Obama’s influence:
  “He’s the only Democrat right now who, when he speaks… it carries the response for the entire party for the day.” — Y. Abutaleb [02:40]

• Obama on political violence:
  “The premise of our democratic system is that we have to be able to disagree… without resort to violence.”
  — Barack Obama [03:16]

• Obama’s Prop 50 ad:
  “California, the whole nation is counting on you. Democracy is on ballot November 4th… With Prop 50, you can stop Republicans in their tracks.”
  — Barack Obama [11:27]

• On permission structure and party unity:
  “Once Obama said, no, I support Newsom’s plan, then every other Democrat felt like they had cover to do so.”
  — Y. Abutaleb [18:24]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Obama’s post-presidential strategy: [01:00–02:33]
• Key moments of public engagement: [02:37–03:59; 11:27–11:42]
• Redistricting battle details: [03:59–08:58]
• Obama’s behind-the-scenes role: [09:24–11:03]
• Conflicted principles and new approach: [11:54–12:51]
• Obama’s critique of Democrats: [15:16–17:00]
• Unprecedented presidential activism: [17:09–18:24]
• Party’s desire for more Obama: [18:24–20:15]
• Looking ahead to elections: [20:15–21:33]

Conclusion

The episode offers an inside look at Barack Obama’s increased willingness to intervene in key political fights as Democrats struggle to define themselves in Trump’s second term. From shaping the response to partisan redistricting to setting the tone for party unity, Obama’s influence remains unmatched—but he tries to deploy it sparingly, aware both of its power and the need for new leadership to emerge. As midterm elections approach, listeners can expect Obama's voice to get louder, strategically pushing his party to action.