Heres a look: Election Marathon Now a Day-to-Day Sprint
By Mark Preston CNN Senior Political Editor
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. With only 15 days remaining before Election Day 2010 and early voting already happening in several states the midterm marathon is now a sprint as Democrats work frantically to establish a beachhead to protect their congressional majorities while Republicans hope voter anger over the economy propels them into power.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Only 15 days remain before Election Day 2010; control of Congress hangs in the balance
- Question for both parties: How many seats will Republicans claim?
- President Obama and team making plea for patience on economy
- Republicans try to press their advantage to gain control of House and Senate
Democrats and Republicans agree on very little other than this: When the dust settles on the 2010 midterms its not will Republicans pick up seats? but how many? Will the GOP pick up the 39 seats needed for John Boehner to wrest the speakers gavel out of Nancy Pelosis hands?
The midterms might be best described as the 180-degree election. Just two years ago the GOP was depressed disorganized and directionless after watching the Democrats gain control of the White House and add to their congressional majorities.
How times have changed since Obama stood victorious in Grant Park on November 4 2008 just having been elected the 44th president of the United States.
His campaign themes of hope and change were embraced by a hungry electorate including young and first-time voters looking for solutions an end to the way Washington does business and a pathway to prosperity. Obama delivered on promises such as health care reform but the damage to the economy was too severe the housing crisis too widespread and an upward tick in unemployment just too much.
Instead of trying to increase the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate Obama is now trying to save them.
This week Obama is scheduled travel to six states in five days for more than 10 events on behalf of Democrats such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada Sen. Barbara Boxer of California and Sen. Patty Murray of Washington. Meanwhile Vice President Joe Biden the administrations campaign workhorse will make five stops for Democrats including Reid and Murray.
First lady Michelle Obama who enjoys a higher approval rating than her husband and his vice president is scheduled to appear in Connecticut on Monday for Democratic Senate nominee Richard Blumenthal before heading to New York City for a Democratic National Committee fundraiser.
Obama is hoping that the voters who came out for him in 2008 trust him that change is on the way and it is just going to take some time.
Sunday night 35000 people attended a campaign rally at Ohio State University featuring the president and first lady. It was the third such rally he has held in the past few weeks. The fourth and final one is scheduled for Oct. 22 in Las Vegas Nevada.
It is the kind of turnout that Democrats witnessed last night in Columbus that will be needed to hold off devastating losses on Election Day.
Political week ahead
With the midterm elections entering the stretch run heres a look at where the campaign trail will go over the next week:
Monday
- Tea Party Express begins its pre-Election Day tour in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reids home state of Nevada. Tour begins in Reno and makes a stop in Elko and ends the day before Election Day in Concord New Hampshire. The kickoff will feature 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.
- President Obama attends a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee fundraiser in Rockville Maryland.
- Vice President Biden appears at a campaign event in Allentown Pennsylvania for Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan. Callahan is challenging three-term GOP Rep. Charlie Dent.
- First lady Michelle Obama travels to Connecticut for Democratic Senate nominee Richard Blumenthal and then heads south to New York City for a Democratic National Committee fundraiser.
- Debates: New York Governor; New Hampshire Senate; West Virginia Senate.
Tuesday
- Tea Party Express spends its second day in Nevada with stops in Ely and Las Vegas.
- Biden headlines an event in Vancouver Washington for Sen. Patty Murray before skipping down to San Francisco to campaign for Sen. Barbara Boxer.
- Debates: Florida Senate; Illinois Senate; South Carolina governor.
Wednesday
- Tea Party Express holds events in Barstow and Los Angeles California.
- Obama heads to Oregon for an event of Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Kitzhaber.
- Biden is in Reno to headline an event for Reid.
- Debates: Pennsylvania Senate; Florida governor.
Thursday
- Tea Party Express makes stops in San Diego California and Yuma Arizona.
- Obama attends a campaign event for Murray in Seattle before heading to San Francisco for a DNC fundraiser.
- Biden attends a campaign event for Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley in Chevy Chase.
- Debates: Iowa governor; New Mexico governor.
Friday
- Tea Party Express holds an event in Phoenix Arizona.
- Obama attends campaign events for Boxer and the DNC in Los Angeles before heading to Las Vegas Nevada for events benefitting the DNC Reid and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
- Debates: Colorado governor; Pennsylvania Senate; Wisconsin Senate
Saturday
- Tea Party Express hold an event in Las Cruces New Mexico before moving on to El Paso Texas.
- 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele hold a rally in Orlando Florida.
- Obama heads to Minnesota to headline events for Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
