Obama makes rare campaign trail appearance, some leave early

UPPER MARLBORO Md. (Reuters) - President
Barack Obama made a rare appearance on the
campaign trail on Sunday with a rally to
support the Democratic candidate for governor
in Maryland, though the event was marred
somewhat by early departures of crowd
members and a yelling heckler.
With approval levels hovering around record
lows, Obama has spent most of his campaign-
related efforts this year raising money for
struggling Democrats, who risk losing control of
the U.S. Senate in the Nov. 4 midterm election.
Many candidates from his party have been wary
of appearing with him during their election
races because of his sagging popularity.
Not so Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown of
Maryland, who is running for governor, and
Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois, who is running
for re-election.
"You've got to vote," Obama repeated over and
over at a rally for Brown in Upper Marlboro,
Maryland, near Washington.
Democrats have a history of not turning up to
vote in midterm elections.
"There are no excuses. The future is up to us,"
Obama said.
Some 8,000 people turned out for the event,
held in a noisy school gymnasium. But a steady
stream of people walked out while he spoke, and
a heckler interrupted his remarks.
Obama's help, or lack thereof, may not matter
much to Brown, who is 11 points ahead of
Republican opponent Larry Hogan, according to
an average of polls by RealClearPolitics.
Quinn's race is tighter. He is ahead of
Republican Bruce Rauner by 1.8 points,
according to the RealClearPolitics average.
The governor, echoing the president at other
Democratic events, encouraged the crowd at
Chicago State University to get to the polls.
"When we vote, we win," Quinn told the
auditorium of some 6,200 people.
Obama picked out people from the crowd whom
he knew, and seemed to relish being back in
Illinois.
"It's good to be home," Obama said. "I care
about what happens here," he said to applause.
Obama said he planned to cast his vote early on
Monday. He is scheduled to spend the night at
his Chicago home.
(Reporting by Jeff Mason)