He’s Not on the Ballot, But He’s in the Race

We’ve written previously that so far President Obama has mostly kept himself—and his political capital—out of the upcoming midterm elections. Well, the president isn’t keeping his powder dry any longer. In late April, Obama formally pressed his seal on the Democrats’ effort to retain their congressional majorities by launching a “Vote 2010” website and sending a video message to his massive e-mail list.
 

The goal of the effort appears to be focused on turnout—the area where Democrats are expected to suffer most without Obama on the top of the ballot. “It will be up to each of you,” Obama says, “to make sure that the young people, African-Americans, Latinos and women who powered our victory in 2009 stand together once again.”

In the e-mail, Obama’s 2008 campaign manager and OFA adviser David Plouffe writes that the Republicans are measuring the proverbial drapes of their new offices, “saying that anything short of an electoral landslide that gives them back control of Congress won’t be a victory.”

Obama’s message also provides a glimpse into the broader Democratic message for 2010: You wanted change, we’ve made change. Obama says he inherited a recession and a broken healthcare system and points to the Recovery Act and his healthcare reform law as solutions.

“We’ve made great progress,” he says. “Our work isn’t finished,” he goes on. “This year, I need your help once more.”Jeremy P. Jacobs is the staff writer at Campaigns & Elections.