Obama rallies for Sen. Murray as voters hit polls

[August 17, 2010]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- President Barack Obama is giving a blast of attention to Sen. Patty Murray and her re-election bid on primary day, stepping into another competitive race as Democrats try to retain their grip on Congress.

In the middle of a three-day campaign trip, Obama heads north Tuesday from Los Angeles to Seattle. He will meet with local business owners, with Murray at his side, and then headline two fundraisers for her.

Obama is appearing on the day of the Washington primary, in which the top two Senate vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the general election.

Murray and her chief Republican challenger, Dino Rossi, are both favored to advance. Murray's re-election bid is one of the most closely watched in the nation.

[Associated Press; By BEN FELLER]

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