The Associated Press
President Obama is staying away from Republican states with closely fought Senate contests. But next week he’ll be counting on a more receptive welcome in Democratic states with neck-and-neck races for governor.
Obama is making last-minute appearances in six states, hoping to boost the chances of Democrats seeking to hold or win governorships. Obama won each of the states in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections:
–Wisconsin: Obama heads for Milwaukee on Tuesday to rally for Democrat Mary Burke, who is locked in a tight race with GOP Gov. Scott Walker. Unseating Walker, a potential 2016 presidential candidate, would be a major coup for Democrats.
–Maine: Obama will campaign in Portland on Thursday for Democratic Rep. Mike Michaud, who is trying to stop GOP Gov. Paul LePage’s quest for another term. Also in the race is independent candidate Eliot Cutler, who could take votes away from Michaud.
— Rhode Island: Obama will be in Providence on Friday to deliver a speech on the economy’s impact on women. It had been scheduled for Oct. 16 but was postponed because of an Ebola scare in Texas. Democratic state Treasurer Gina Raimondo, who is running for governor against Republican Allan Fung, is expected to appear with Obama.
–Michigan: Obama will be in the Detroit area Saturday to rally for Mark Schauer, in a close contest with Republican Gov. Rick Snyder. Michigan also has the only Senate race where Obama is expected to campaign. Obama will campaign for Rep. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who is polling well ahead of Republican Terri Lynn Land in that race.
–Connecticut: Obama’s rally for Gov. Dannel Malloy on Sunday, originally scheduled for Oct. 15, is a repeat of his pre-election appearance for Malloy in 2010. Malloy barely defeated Republican Tom Foley in that contest, and Republicans are hoping Foley will be more successful in this year’s rematch.
–Pennsylvania: Democrats say GOP Gov. Tom Corbett’s poor approval ratings make him ripe for defeat. Obama will hold a rally Sunday for Democrat Tom Wolf, who polls indicate has opened up a lead.
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