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A4 U.S. NEWS
Friday 22 November 2019
Obama warns against 'purity tests' in Democratic primary

By BRIAN SLODYSKO we have one gay candi-
Associated Press date. And those candi-
LOS ALTOS HILLS, Calif. (AP) dates are going to have
— Former President Barack barriers if they win the
Obama warned Demo- nomination, or they win the
crats on Thursday against general election — just like
adopting "purity tests" in I did," Obama told donors.
the presidential primary "You can overcome that
and said any adversity the resistance if the way you
candidates face in the are framing these issues
contest will make whoever and messages indicate,
emerges an even stronger 'Look, I'm part of an Ameri-
nominee. can tradition ... of opening
Obama spoke to about 100 up opportunity."
donors during a question- In recent weeks Obama
and-answer session with has sought to play both
Democratic National Com- referee and uplifting elder
mittee Chairman Tom Per- statesman. He's cautioned
ez in Los Altos Hills, Califor- "woke" activists against em-
nia. The event came a day bracing "cancel culture"
after the fifth Democratic and urged the party to not
presidential primary in At- adopt positions that could
lanta and as the 17-person cost them in the general
field continues to expand, In this Oct. 29, 2019, file photo, former President Barack Obama speaks during the Obama election.
with the expected entry of Foundation Summit at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. "That's not bringing about
former New York City May- Associated Press change," he said during a
or Michael Bloomberg in candidacy of his former that are a crucial Demo- try is complicated." recent Obama Foundation
the coming days. Vice President Joe Biden, cratic voting bloc. Obama urged Democrats event. "If all you are do-
Until recently, Obama questioning whether Sens. "We will not win just by in- to "chill out," saying, "The ing is casting stones, you're
largely refrained from Bernie Sanders and Eliza- creasing the turnout of the truth of the matter is that probably not going to get
opining publicly on the beth Warren can defeat people who already agree every candidate on that that far."
Democratic contest, and President Donald Trump with us completely on ev- stage believes we should At the same time, he has
his move from the side- next year, and skeptical of erything," Obama said. provide" better health care offered reassurances that
lines comes at a moment whether Pete Buttigieg, the "Which is why I am always and education and ad- a spirited primary will make
of deep uncertainty for South Bend, Indiana, may- suspicious of purity tests dress climate change. the eventual nominee a
the party. Many are jit- or who is surging in Iowa, during elections. Because, He also noted the historic stronger candidate.
tery about the uneven can appeal to black voters you know what, the coun- diversity of the Democratic It comes amid a fierce in-
field, which now includes traparty debate that has
five women, three black divided centrists and an as-
candidates, a Latino man cendant progressive wing,
and a gay man. He com- which has advocated for
pared that to his own elec- policies like free college tu-
tion as the nation's first ition and "Medicare for All"
black president. that would dramatically
"We have a number of reshape the role of govern-
women candidates and ment in peoples' lives.q

House urges court to

lift hold on subpoena

for Trump records

By MARK SHERMAN enforcement of its subpoe-
Associated Press na comes a few days after
WASHINGTON (AP) — Chief Justice John Roberts
House Democrats and imposed an indefinite de-
Manhattan's top prosecu- lay to give the court time
tor told the Supreme Court to figure out how to handle
Thursday that President the case. Trump made an
Donald Trump's arguments emergency appeal to the
to shield his tax returns and court to block the subpoe-
financial records are weak, na from being enforced in
and not deserving of the the meantime after an ap-
justices' intervention. peals court in Washington,
The Democrats said they DC, ruled against him.
should be allowed to en- A similar fight also has
force their demands for reached the high court
Trump's financial records from New York, where the
from his accounting firm Manhattan district attorney
immediately. wants Trump's tax returns for
The House's plea to allow a criminal investigation.q