Speaking to a crowd of enthusiastic supporters in Michigan Friday night, former President Barack Obama encouraged people to remember the past and use it as a motivating force to drive Democratic turnout and spur change in November.

Obama sought to draw a direct division between his own record and that of Republicans, who he accused of taking credit for the good economy he left them with while jeopardizing health care access and civil rights, during a rally at Cass Technical High School in Detroit.

It's not just political candidates on the ballot - the future of health care, the rights of working families and the character of the country is at stake, Obama said.

"When we've been at these kinds of crossroads before, America has typically made the right choice," he said.

As the 2018 campaign cycle draws to a close, Obama has been touring the country stumping for Democratic candidates and defending his record as president.

He sought to promote in Michigan U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer and several Democratic Congressional candidates, particularly focusing on their support of the Affordable Care Act at the state and federal level.

He criticized Republicans for being "obsessed with overturning, undermining, sabotaging, repealing that very law" for eight years, then saying in political ads this election cycle that they would protect preexisting conditions.

"That's some kind of gall," he said. "Let's call it what it is: it's a lie."

Without directly referencing sitting President Donald Trump, Obama said Republicans have made many promises without following through, hitting particularly hard on the point that one of their goals was to fight corruption in Washington.

"They've now racked up enough indictments to field a football team...I didn't have folks in my administration get indicted," he said.

Obama also referenced his work on the auto bailout and improving the economy following the recession, commending 11th Congressional candidate Haley Stevens for her work on his administration.

Crowd enthusiasm was high throughout the rally, buoyed by occasional tunes from Cass Technical's marching band.

At one point, a member of the crowd shouted, "We want you back."

"I can't do that baby, because I follow the Constitution of the United States," Obama countered, prompting another round of raucous applause.

Obama was joined by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who currently chairs the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. Both endorsed Proposal 2 and Proposal 3, which would create an independent redistricting commission and insert new voting policies into the Michigan Constitution, respectively.

Holder was especially critical of Michigan's current political districts: "I've been all around this place - you've got it bad here in Michigan," he said.

Ahead of Obama's speech, a parade of Michigan's statewide and federal candidates spoke to the crowd. In addition to Whitmer and Stabenow, the crowd heard from incoming 13th Congressional District representatives Rashida Tlaib and Brenda Jones, 8th Congressional District candidate Elissa Slotkin, Stevens and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, among others.

U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, also spoke at the rally and directed her comments particularly at women in the audience.

"Women, this is our year. If you have not been awakened, if you have not been moved...this is our time," she said.

Republican officials were quick to criticize Obama's appearance and his support of Democratic candidates up and down the ticket.

"We've made incredible strides, especially with our economy, thanks to President Trump and our GOP-led Congress, and it's insulting for Barack Obama to come out here and try to rally support for candidates like Debbie Stabenow, Gretchen Whitmer, Matt Longjohn, Gretchen Driskell, Elissa Slotkin, and Haley Stevens who will work to systematically dismantle the policies generating all of this progress," Republican National Committee spokesperson Michael Joyce said in a statement.

.@BarackObama: I started elementary school blocks away from where you spoke tonight. Detroit, my home, is still the most segregated city in the nation. I'll work with ANYONE to change that. With all due respect sir, Stabenow's had 43 yrs to fix this. I'm only asking voters for 6. — John James (@JohnJamesMI) October 27, 2018

Michigan Republican Party Deputy Chief of Staff Sarah Anderson in a statement called Obama's eight years in office "an unmitigated disaster" and referred to his appearance as a "last minute fly-in" to fight off Republican momentum.

"The fact that Democrats need to send Obama into Michigan to save Gretchen Whitmer's rapidly fading campaign shows just how afraid they are," she said.

Watch a video of Obama's speech below:

Obama Detroit Appearance Former President Barack Obama speaks in Detroit. Posted by MLive.com on Friday, October 26, 2018

More information about the Nov. 6 midterm elections

Polls will be open in Michigan from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6. Check Michigan's Secretary of State website to see whether you are registered and to preview your ballot.

MLive has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund to provide candidate information and other voting resources to Michigan readers.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. For specific information about all Michigan races, visit Vote411.org.

Read more MLive election coverage here.