While most of Washington is busily tracking a series of races that should determine which party controls the U.S. Senate in 2015, President Obama's campaign schedule over the next week will barely focus on that battle, emphasizing the difficult political situation for Democrats and the President in this year's mid term elections.
Here's the basics of the President's campaign schedule:
+ Tuesday in Wisconsin to help Mary Burke (running for Governor)
+ Thursday in Maine for Mike Michaud (running for Governor)
+ Friday in Rhode Island (where Democrat Gina Raimondo is running for Governor)
+ Saturday in Michigan for Mark Schauer (running for Governor) and Gary Peters (running for U.S. Senate)
+ Sunday in Connecticut for Gov. Dan Malloy (running for re-election)
+ Sunday in Philadelphia for Tom Wolf (running for Governor)
As you can clearly see, "running for Governor" stands out - while "running for U.S. Senate" does not.
Also - all of those states are considered "Blue" states, with the lone exception maybe in Pennsylvania, as it is more of a battleground at the local level (not the Presidential in recent elections).
Last week, the President attended his first two campaign rallies of 2014 - both were related to races for Governor - in Illinois and Maryland.
The one Obama stop this week to help a Senate candidate comes in a race where Democrats are securely ahead in Michigan; national Republicans pulled their television ads there in early October.
Biden and Boehner busy on campaign trail
While the President stays away from tough Senate races, Vice President Biden will make a stop in Iowa on Monday, campaigning for Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA), who is locked in a tough battle for Senate with Republican Joni Ernst.
Biden will also headline an event in Illinois on Monday for Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL), another Democratic incumbent in the Congress who could be on upset alert next week.
The Vice President will wrap up his Monday with a fundraiser for the Democratic Party back in Washington, D.C.
Both Biden and House Speaker John Boehner will be in Davenport, Iowa on Monday, as Boehner is there to boost U.S. House candidate Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who is running against Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA).
Boehner was also on the stump on Sunday in Iowa, campaigning for GOP candidate David Young.
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