While most Democrats are desperately trying to distance themselves from President Obama, Illinois Democrats are safe from the President’s campaign death kiss. Monday night, President Obama headlined a campaign rally for Illinois Senator Dick Durban and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.
As Rebel Pundit pointed out:
ABC 7 reporter Charles Thomas stated the Jones Convocation Center, was not filled.Thomas did his best to paint the president’s visit as a success, “When it comes to Chicago, especially on the South Side, Obama has not lost his political magic. Sunday night at the Jones Convocation Center, it was filled to near-capacity.”Thomas reported 6,000 attendees at the rally to re-elect Quinn, but the capacity at the center is 7000.
Interestingly, the President is having difficulty filling seats on his home turf. Earlier this week, attendees at a Maryland rally walked out when Obama took the stage; and last month, the Climate Summit held in New York City was missing some pretty crucial world leaders, yet another indicator of Hope and Change’s waning star power.
Meanwhile, Democrats across the board worry about being seen too close to the President for fear he’s hurting their re-election chances.
Standing aside and taking one for the team certainly isn’t Obama’s style, which is probably why he’s become the single largest October surprise. Earlier this month, Mr. Obama made it painfully clear that, “his policies were on the ballot,” a quote that’s found its way into more than one campaign ad.
Then, in an interview with MSNBC’s Al Sharpton, Obama said (talking about Democrats currently on the ballot), “these are folks who vote with me, they have supported my agenda in Congress… these are folks who are strong allies and supporters of me.” And yet another unforced error was made.
Not exactly what Democrats like Kentucky Senate hopeful, Alison Grimes, want to hear. Particularly after working incredibly hard to ensure voters that, “this election isn’t about the president,” while vigilantly avoiding any association with him.
A fledgling legacy of Hope and Change might be the ticket to a GOP-led Senate in two weeks.
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