Toles-Bey, a 62-year-old small-business owner, had never voted before but supported the former president in two elections. He now closely follows politics, which he attributes to Obama’s influence. After Trump's election, Toles-Bey started a T-shirt company named You Can’t Trump God to counteract his emotional distress. Despite waiting outside one of Obama's recent rallies, he questioned if Obama's idealism still fit in today's divisive political landscape. Toles-Bey acknowledged that the world has changed. As Obama travels across the country to support Democratic candidates, some members of the coalition that helped him become America's first black president are feeling anxious about the need for change. While Obama's speeches during this election season have focused on his usual themes of idealism and hope, there are concerns among his supporters that his message may be reminiscent of a more civil era in politics. The New York Times reports that Obama continues to be the top Democratic supporter in the country, and he will be campaigning for key Democratic candidates like Andrew Gillum in Florida, Stacey Abrams in Georgia, and Joe Donnelly in Indiana in the final week of the campaign. However, Trump's election has challenged Obama's strategy of gradual change, according to his advisers. Some of the voters Obama attracted to the Democratic party, such as young people and minorities, have become disillusioned. Obama's advisers believe that he does not see a contradiction between opposing Trump and motivating voters, and they cite his speeches this summer as evidence, where he criticized Trump without mentioning him by name. Some Obama supporters, like Toles-Bey, now prefer a more aggressive approach in response to Trump, unlike the former president's usual diplomatic style. The new generation of progressives is pushing back harder against Trump, challenging the traditional way politics is supposed to work. One supporter, Gabriella Lorance, who was 10 when Obama was first elected, expressed this sentiment while attending an event with her friends in Milwaukee. They discussed their favorite politicians, including Jason Kander, Beto O'Rourke, and Sharice Davids, but Obama was not among them. LaTosha Brown, an organizer and co-founder of Black Voters Matter, expressed the need for a change in approach to creating change. She acknowledged her respect for former President Obama, but believed that more radical action is necessary in the current political climate. Brown emphasized that the time for waiting and proving allegiance through voting is over, as she called for a new way of addressing issues. The divide seen among liberals in current politics may be a sign of future conflicts. In the upcoming years, as voters look for someone to follow in Obama's footsteps as the unifying figure of the Democratic Party, the question of what approach is best to oppose Trump will be of utmost importance, as crucial as policy or ideology. Some potential candidates for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination have caused controversy this year for their aggressive anti-Trump rhetoric. Former Vice President Joe Biden made headlines for saying he would physically fight Trump (and later apologized), while lawyer Michael Avenatti challenged a member of Trump's family to a fight. Eric Holder, a former attorney general considering a presidential run, drew criticism for putting a darker spin on Michelle Obama's famous quote, saying "When they go low, we kick them" in Georgia recently. Obama's speeches often include appeals to conservatives, as he oscillates between criticizing the modern Republican Party and reaching out to "compassionate conservatives" in an effort to build a coalition. However, the next generation of Democrats may choose a more assertive approach. Recently, amidst political violence, progressive Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib have been particularly outspoken, with Ocasio-Cortez questioning how the current administration would respond if ISIS were responsible for recent attacks, and Tlaib taking a stronger stance. She criticized Trump for blaming the Pittsburgh shooting on members of the #TreeOfLifeSynagogue, stating that it showed his lack of leadership and compassion as POTUS. The tweet also mentioned the use of an AR-15 assault rifle in the attack and emphasized the need for better treatment of fellow Americans. Michelle Obama defended her belief in taking the high road and emphasized the importance of leaders showing decency rather than inciting fear. Valerie Jarrett, a close adviser to Obama, acknowledged the frustration among Democrats during Trump's administration and stressed the importance of appealing to people's better nature. She stated that Obama's message should remain consistent, even if it may be challenging during this political climate. The focus should be on giving people what they need to hear, rather than what they want to hear in the moment. You convey to them the important message you believe they need to hear. This is the essence of leadership." Some of Obama's supporters agreed with Jarrett. Kasey Dean, 28, who waited for Obama before his rally in Nevada last week, believed it was the responsibility of politicians to inspire the country during uncertain times instead of resorting to fear. Hallie Sebena, 34, who attended Obama's rally in Milwaukee, stated that "there are ways to fight back without being dirty." "We need to have conversations that start from a place of respect," Sebena added. Other liberal voters mentioned that they had been so angered by Trump's administration that it influenced their criteria for a Democratic messenger. Tom Mooshegian, 64, in Las Vegas suggested that the person who runs against Trump in 2020 will need to be more of a "fighter" to match his style. Dana Williams, 41, waiting for Obama in Las Vegas, believes that Trump has brought a politics of personal attacks, suggesting that Democrats may need to respond in kind. Brown, echoing Trump's own words, emphasized the need to fight back when attacked. Obama, in his speeches this summer, has advocated for a politics that is hopeful, civil, and focused on incremental progress. Obama stated in Milwaukee last week that there is more at risk in this election than just politics. He emphasized the importance of having a politics that is decent, honest, and lawful, one that strives to do right by people and reflects the values of the country. After staying away from politics for over a year, Obama has now focused on supporting Democrats in key Senate races in various states. He also tends to host rallies in urban areas where voters who usually do not vote in midterm elections, such as young people and minorities, reside. Jon Favreau, a former speechwriter for Obama who now leads a liberal media company, noted that the former president's message has developed on key issues like voter suppression and structural racism. Favreau stated that the Republican Party has become more openly associated with white identity politics and immigration reduction, prompting Obama to be more direct in his criticisms. This has provided a model for Democratic candidates to criticize without resorting to mudslinging. Favreau highlighted campaigns like Gillum's in Florida, Abrams' in Georgia, and O'Rourke's in Texas as embodying the next generation of Obama's message of hope. He emphasized that simply attacking Donald Trump and Republicans with insults is not enough, and that a comprehensive approach is necessary. "What voters desire is for individuals to advocate for causes."