Obama campaigns for Democrats, criticizes Trump's Iran war for driving up oil prices

Former President Obama sharply criticized Trump and Republicans at a campaign rally in Ohio on Saturday, his first midterm campaign appearance with less than two weeks until Election Day. He shared the stage with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton and Senate candidate Sherrod Brown, both of whose races are neck and neck. Brown is facing incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted in a contest that could determine control of the Senate. In roughly 40 minutes of remarks, Obama blamed Trump's decision to launch a war against Iran for high prices. "That's why gas prices are up," Obama said. "Nobody denies that." Obama's remarks were particularly noteworthy given that he has typically been more measured when criticizing Trump. At the Ohio rally, Obama also lashed out at Trump's ongoing plans to build a new ballroom at the White House and renovate its interior. "Gold everywherewhy so much gold?" Obama said. "He's turned the White House into something like a Cheesecake Factory owned by Saddam Hussein."