Barack Obama’s Plane Starts ‘Leaking’ in the Air

Former President Barack Obama made a determined effort to attend Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s rally in Madison, Wisconsin, despite experiencing plane troubles.

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, the 63-year-old joined Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris, 60, at a campaign event ahead of the Nov. 5 Election Day. While he arrived late, his presence was still greeted with enthusiasm.

“It is good to be back in Madison! It is good to be here,” Obama began. “Look, first of all, I wanna apologize, I was a little late.”

During his speech, a supporter shouted, “I love you!” from the crowd, to which Obama responded, “I love you back!” with a smile. He then explained the reason for his delay.

“I was in my hometown, Chicago, and so we boarded the plane, great takeoff. And then the pilot comes in and says, ‘Sir, there’s a pile of oil leaking out of the back of the plane.’ And, I do not know anything about planes, except for the fact that it should not leak oil,” Obama joked, receiving laughter from the crowd.

With the plane grounded, Obama opted for a road trip instead. “So, we had a nice drive,” he said, referring to the two-hour trip between Chicago and Madison.

This rally comes at a crucial time for the Democratic Party. Walz, the current governor of Minnesota, is now Harris’ running mate after President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 race on July 21. Biden’s decision surprised many but was accompanied by his full endorsement of Harris.

“Today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee for our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this,” Biden tweeted shortly after his announcement.

Since Biden’s withdrawal, prominent Democrats, including both Barack and Michelle Obama, have publicly voiced their support for Harris. Michelle Obama expressed her excitement in a video released on July 26. “I can’t have this phone call without saying to my girl Kamala: I am proud of you. This is going to be historic,” she said.

Barack echoed those sentiments, adding, “Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office.” The Obamas’ involvement in the campaign adds significant weight, as their endorsements carry considerable influence within the Democratic Party.

With just weeks until Election Day, rallies like this one in Madison are seen as vital opportunities for the Democratic candidates to energize their base and attract undecided voters.