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 With approval levels hovering around record lows, Obama has spent
most of his campaign-related efforts this year raising money for
struggling Democrats, who risk losing control of the U.S. Senate in
the Nov. 4 midterm election.
Many candidates from his party have been wary of appearing with him
during their election races because of his sagging popularity.
Not so Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown of Maryland, who is running
for governor, and Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois, who is running for
re-election.
"You've got to vote," Obama repeated over and over at a rally for
Brown in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, near Washington.
Democrats have a history of not turning up to vote in midterm
elections.
"There are no excuses. The future is up to us," Obama said.
Some 8,000 people turned out for the event, held in a noisy school
gymnasium. But a steady stream of people walked out while he spoke,
and a heckler interrupted his remarks.
Obama's help, or lack thereof, may not matter much to Brown, who is
11 points ahead of Republican opponent Larry Hogan, according to an
average of polls by RealClearPolitics.
Quinn's race is tighter. He is ahead of Republican Bruce Rauner by
1.8 points, according to the RealClearPolitics average.
The governor, echoing the president at other Democratic events,
encouraged the crowd at Chicago State University to get to the
polls.
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"When we vote, we win," Quinn told the auditorium of some 6,200
people.
Obama picked out people from the crowd whom he knew, and seemed to
relish being back in Illinois.
"It's good to be home," Obama said. "I care about what happens
here," he said to applause.
Obama said he planned to cast his vote early on Monday. He is
scheduled to spend the night at his Chicago home.
(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Mohammad Zargham; Editing by
Mohammad Zargham)
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