July 1, 2009
Posted: July 1st, 2009 02:40 PM ET

From

(CNN) - President Barack Obama's hitting the campaign trail later this month - not for himself, but for fellow Democrat Jon Corzine.

The New Jersey governor's re-election campaign team announced Wednesday that Corzine will be joined by Obama at a rally at Rutgers University in New Brunswick on Thursday, July 16. The White House confirmed the event.

While Obama has headlined seven political fundraising events this year, this will be the first campaign rally he's attended for a fellow Democrat since taking over as president in January.

A new poll of New Jersey voters suggests this year's gubernatorial battle between incumbent Corzine and Republican challenger Chris Christie may be tightening up a bit.

A Fairleigh Dickinson University survey released Wednesday indicates that Christie has a 6 point lead, 45 percent to 39 percent, over Corzine, with 15 percent undecided. Christie had a 9 point lead over Corzine in a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll in April. But the poll also indicates that only one in four questioned say Corzine's doing good or excellent job as governor.

Christie, considered a moderate Republican, led Corzine by 10 points in a Quinnipiac University survey released earlier this month.

National Republicans are gunning for victories in New Jersey and Virginia, the other state with a gubernatorial contest this year, as they try to rebound from their poor showing in last year's elections. In Virginia, the Democratic governor is term-limited and can't run for re-election.

Filed under: CNN Polls • Jon Corzine • New Jersey • President Obama


jaye   July 1st, 2009 4:13 pm ET

Thank you president Obama!

Christine WA   July 1st, 2009 4:10 pm ET

The President's job should be to stay in the White House read the bills that Congress passes (without reading) and solve our countries problem. He is the president already. He needs to do his job not play politics. Did Obama achieve what he hoped for to be the president, why not act as president instead of a campaign person. We lost jobs and still couldn't find any job - this is something that he should be working on not campaigning.

fred   July 1st, 2009 4:10 pm ET

Steph, Obama also campaigned for Harry Reid in Las Vegas at a fundraiser the other week. That's just one example. There have been more as well. He's been campaigning a lot.

Margaret   July 1st, 2009 4:07 pm ET

Obama never left the campaign trail and he never will. He is just a front man for the democrats in charge behind the screen. His purpose is to talk and convince those who don't think that he knows all the answers even though he doesn't understand the questions.

Hey Dan, WHEN will the country be successful? When does it START getting good? Waiting, waiting,....

Better not wish for a totalitarian government by eliminating the Republican party, dictators are at the head of one-party countries. You may want to review your WWII history.

Terry   July 1st, 2009 4:06 pm ET

Obama was never a Senator, he campained his entire term, since he has been president all he has done is campain. Congress has written and produced all the bills, which no one read including Obama. History is going to reflect very badly at the end of the day.

Tony   July 1st, 2009 4:05 pm ET

TO: All Republicans – STOP CRITICIZING OBAMA

Que: Who won the 100 Meters Track Olympic Gold Medal in 2008?
Ans: Usain Bolt of Jamaica.
Que: Who is the World Record Holder for 100 Meters ?
Ans: Usain Bolt of Jamaica.
Que: Names of some runners who did not even Qualify the Heats?
Ans: Fabio Cerutti – Italy; Desislav Gunev- Bulgaria; Uchenna Emedolu- Nigeria; Sandro Viana- Brazil;
Que: Now if these runners who did not qualify, start criticizing Usain Bolt and start teaching him how Usain should run a race, what will it be implied or construed?
Ans: It will be implied and construed that these guys are nuts, crazy, and jerks.

Theme of the story: Republicans are like those runners trying to criticize Obama who won the race like Usain Bolt.

Joe in NJ   July 1st, 2009 4:04 pm ET

Considering how Obama's ratings are slipping I would think Corzine isn't too happy for the endorsement.

Renee   July 1st, 2009 4:00 pm ET

Good Gawd! Doesn't he have enough on his plate? The economy is still in shambles. Is he taking Air Force one to the fundraiser? Of course. That's another 250,000 or so. We're doomed.

Larry   July 1st, 2009 3:58 pm ET

Obama is a Hero.

Republican Party is a Zero. :P

John   July 1st, 2009 3:58 pm ET

Back to doing what he is good at doing. Schmoozing the public. Great commubity activist!!!

Kevin from PA   July 1st, 2009 3:55 pm ET

I love to read Dems calling CNN right wing.

Robin   July 1st, 2009 3:55 pm ET

Oh, one more thing. Let's not leave out the incredibly high car insurance rates we pay.

Susan   July 1st, 2009 3:54 pm ET

The only thing he is good at: Campaign

Doug, New Jersey   July 1st, 2009 3:53 pm ET

"I hope the state will pull together and Christie will win by a landslide"

I agree, but living here I can tell you that this NJ House wives reality show is exactly how a majority here act. People really are that liberal Democratic here so republicans just don't stand a chance.

Go to YouTube and see the lib flipping over the table, can you say DEMOCRAT!!!

concerned   July 1st, 2009 3:52 pm ET

"go dems". Who would root for a political party. How brainwashed are you? All they want is power and control. They've sucked you in. Obama and his pretty words have masked his goal...power! It's not just him, it's both parties. Only root for LESS government, not more. You are all being "hoodwinked" by your savior.

Joe   July 1st, 2009 3:51 pm ET

Nop, he is a reformer in chief!

Tim   July 1st, 2009 3:48 pm ET

He's never left the campaign trail, he continues to say whatever it is he needs to say to be well liked, regardless of what he really believes and regardless of the harm it would cause our country.

Nelson Colorado Springs Co.   July 1st, 2009 3:44 pm ET

Why are people WHINING about President Obama hitting the campaign for fellow Democrat Jon Corzine. Can't please or make evertybody happy " WHINING, WHINING" The sky is falling

Zero.   July 1st, 2009 3:37 pm ET

He just loves to spend your money...

Ed   July 1st, 2009 3:36 pm ET

Let get this right, the US economy is in the crapper and all the President want to do fly around on AirForce-1 ($1M per hour, not included in F18 escorts) Where does the average US citizen benefit from this abuse?
-

Bob in Pa   July 1st, 2009 3:36 pm ET

Save us some money BO ! Campaigning does not = stimulus

Donkey Party   July 1st, 2009 3:35 pm ET

What is it lately with CNN and their right-wing slant on everything? Has Rupert Murdoch bought you guys out? Are you going to start claiming "fair and balanced" pretty soon too? To marginalize the President of the United States of America as nothing more than a "campaigner" is pretty pathetic. And you have the nerve to question why you're behind in the ratings. Your legitimacy is beginning to look as legitimate as the Iranian government's.

Ron Ft. Myers   July 1st, 2009 3:32 pm ET

Obama needs to keep himself in Washington working for those of us that put him in office. We don't need him wasting our time and money campaigning! There are far too many problems today to have him away from the "trigger."

Tracy   July 1st, 2009 3:31 pm ET

Obama should quit wasting even more of America's money by flying all over the nation to campaign... he should be staying home in the white house and figuring out how he is going to save this fast failing nation of ours!

Terry Pierce   July 1st, 2009 3:30 pm ET

I hope the state will pull together and Christie will win by a landslide

BK   July 1st, 2009 3:29 pm ET

All American politicians ever do is campaign for one thing or another. Its the same with Republicans who literally have already started decided which of their party will run for President in 2012.

Mitchell from MS   July 1st, 2009 3:26 pm ET

Obama better worry about his own career first before he trys to helpsomeone else.

His poll numbers are sinking faster than the Titanic

Doug, New Jersey   July 1st, 2009 3:22 pm ET

The Cronie combo, what lib-bot could resist?

Seriously, think that a majority of Democrats in this nation wouldn't strap on a vest like the ones Al Qeuda gives out to wear if Obama told them to, read the ticker, think again.

It is scary that millions of Americans are brainwashed sheep. As a student of history I never understood how the Germans could be so gullible and stupid in the 1930's, but the national socialist that is running this country has shown just how easy it can be for these dictators to brainwash and blindly control the ignorant.

MatthewDetroit   July 1st, 2009 3:22 pm ET

Good that will keep him out of the White House so he can stop causing damage and stop spending money we dont have.

ellen   July 1st, 2009 3:19 pm ET

Does Obama plan to do any work at the Capitol at all? All he seems to do is talk to the media and make speeches. We're still waiting for some of his ideas to be be to work and so far nothing but a whole lot of spending.
I'm sick of all this. I don't plan to vote for another democrat.

Glennis   July 1st, 2009 3:18 pm ET

Well, there's a surprise for you. He hasn't stopped campaigning for himself or others since he got to Washington.

DEEP BRAIN DIARY» Sarah Palin Says She Could Beat Obama!   July 1st, 2009 3:16 pm ET

[...] are getting tight in the NJ gubernatorial sweepstakes, so Corzine is calling out the big guns.  This could backfire, depending on what Obama is able to get done (or undone) during the [...]

Steph   July 1st, 2009 3:12 pm ET

If this is his first campaign event since he took office, how can he be called Campaigner in Chief? I appreciate the attempt to create a catchy title, but it is just wrong.

awaitingliberalizationbyCNN   July 1st, 2009 3:12 pm ET

Lets hope Corzine goes down in a flaming defeat as a precursor to the next elections. Birds of a feather. The most taxing president in history trying to help the most taxing governor. Kinda like Chavez sticking up for the guty who tried to say in office to long in Honduras, that was another one Hussein is sticking up for. Him and Chavez are buddies.

pakuna   July 1st, 2009 3:10 pm ET

when did he ever get off it. never. so who cares just something to keep him from doing his job he is suppose to have in the white house

Independent in Virginia   July 1st, 2009 3:05 pm ET

Huh? When did he stop campaigning?

In 4 or 8 years (depending on how ignorant some of us are), we'll realize that Obama is the biggest pickpocketer in history. And we still won't be able to say anything negative about him because that would be racist.

bimmer   July 1st, 2009 3:05 pm ET

Two poor role models.

One smokes then sign an anti-tobacco bill.

The other 's satte has a stricc seat belt law and does not use it, gets ointo an accident and gets injured.

Only in America!

Scott L   July 1st, 2009 2:59 pm ET

Glad to see my taxes are hard at work creating jobs.

Tired Old Man   July 1st, 2009 2:58 pm ET

What else is new ????
All Obama has done ever since he got into politics .. is campaign ...

TCM   July 1st, 2009 2:57 pm ET

This is lunacy at it's best! We have the most controversial person ever to be handed the presidency, and he's made it his personal quest to be in the news daily, per Alinsky's "brand familiarization," tactic....and when he acts, he's continually placed the country deeper and deeper into grave danger of economic, social and military collapse. Maybe our miltary could send him on a vacation to San Jose, Costa Rica...I've been there, its real nice...But, the last thing we need is more taxing and reckless spending of our children's future...by liberal radicals who look at the world through distorted vision....

Mike   July 1st, 2009 2:56 pm ET

He was a good campaigner but not worth a darn as President.

European-American (formerly No Incumbents 2010, until some bleeding heart lib stole it)   July 1st, 2009 2:55 pm ET

Come on CNN: Not one story about cap & trade. Keep America occupied with superficial nonsense, so the government can do whatever it pleases. Then report what was done.

Obama 2.0   July 1st, 2009 2:55 pm ET

In it to win it ;)

Hank   July 1st, 2009 2:55 pm ET

Campaigning is all this clown knows how to do.

Maybe it will keep his mind off destroying the country!

ChangeThis   July 1st, 2009 2:53 pm ET

What else is new. Campaigner-in-chief or Golfer-in- chief ,take your pick. He doesn't know how to govern.

single mom   July 1st, 2009 2:46 pm ET

I realize Corzine is a fellow Democrat, but does the President really want to support him? Corzine's corrupt and ..
oh, wait, what am I complaining about? He's a Democratic governor of a state known to have corrupt politicians. Obama knows all about those.
Pity. Just when I think I might be able to slightly change my opinion on Obama and with whom he associates.

Lori reminds the GOP that Obama's ratings are still higher than 2 term idiot Bush's!!!   July 1st, 2009 2:46 pm ET

Good! President Obama will pull another NY-20 style win for Corzine! Just bring out the President and it's goodbye Republican opponent!

Good job Mr. President! Go Dems!

Open Your 3rd Eye   July 1st, 2009 2:42 pm ET

HERE COME THE OBAMA HATERS:

All he does is talk, talk, talk...

tax, tax, tax...

spend, spend, spend...

I got news for you GOP'ers: WE DON'T CARE!! LOL!

Keep doing your thing Barack! They couldn't pay me to change my vote!

LM, NC   July 1st, 2009 2:42 pm ET

I hope the Dems win. We need more people in office who are not in the pockets of big business. New Jersey is a hop skip away from Wall Street, and I'm sure the state is tainted by greedy CEO's.

Randy   July 1st, 2009 2:41 pm ET

Glad he has time to run around and campain that is why everything this little boy does fails. How much will this hurt the enviroment? Somebody needs to let this stumblming stambering tax increasing muslim loving fool that he is president and needs to get to work. Not flying around doing this or taking weezie to dinners and plays.

stormerF   July 1st, 2009 2:40 pm ET

Why,does Obama not just stay on the camapign trail? Thats what he seems to like best other than spending the Tax Payers Money.

jm   July 1st, 2009 2:37 pm ET

Time to campaign but no time to read the bills he signs.

white supremacist = al qaeda =hamas = terrorism   July 1st, 2009 2:36 pm ET

Meanwhile, Sarah Palin should go to school and get some education. She does not make sense at all

Kitty   July 1st, 2009 2:36 pm ET

Right he is not campaigning for himself!!! Wink- wink..... Obama has never quit with his own campaign!! The president should not have free time to be out campaigning – oh but that's right he just got through holding a party in the white house for the gays & lesbians – now if that is not campaigning – I don't know what is!!

Hugo   July 1st, 2009 2:35 pm ET

Doing what Barry does best, campaigning. Perhaps one day he will learn to lead, if the leftist puppeteers let him that is.

Karen   July 1st, 2009 2:33 pm ET

I'll sure be glad when he does something for the country that does not involve government being in every facet of our lives. Thought the stimulus package was a shovel ready project and watch the unemployment rate rise. It would be nice to see him delving into the ecomony and jobs like he does campaigning. It's gonna be a long 4 years!

Peter E   July 1st, 2009 2:33 pm ET

At least it's for an election that's in the near future. Romney, Gingrich, and Palin have been campaigning for president in 2012 since the end of last year. Doesn't Palin have a state to pull out of a recession? Does she ever work? When was the last time she was back in Alaska?

lynn in NM   July 1st, 2009 2:32 pm ET

God forbid he concentrate on the country's business, instead of the party's.

concerned   July 1st, 2009 2:32 pm ET

Obama is a great campaigner....unfortunately a terrible president!

Economy- Worse than he took over
War- Only successful part (because he kept Bush's strategy)
Constitution- Nationalizing industries
Free Speech- Attacking those who disagree with him vehemently...illegally firing an inpsector general
on and on and on.

Steve, NJ   July 1st, 2009 2:31 pm ET

If the president had NJ in his best interests he wouldn't support Corzine. This is a typical politican move.

In regards to NJ, the taxes under Corzine's term are ridiculous. NJ's property taxes are one of the highest in the nation. The state also raised income taxes last week even higher in a new bill. The state of NJ needs a republican govenor. One that puts old politics to the side and governs properly. One that listens to people rather then "party politics." Our state needs a change and Christie is the man for the job.

Before liberals go on bashing Christie just because of your republican bias due to you just following the media, read up on both candidates. Learn about both candidates and what they stand for. You'll realize Christie is best for NJ.

Mark   July 1st, 2009 2:31 pm ET

Obama, don't waste your time on that sinking ship. Corzine is finished. Besides, you don't have the time to campaign. You need to create some of these jobs you promised...All you want to do is SPEND, SPEND, SPEND.

Limbaugh is a liberal   July 1st, 2009 2:31 pm ET

Well, he's following in his predecessor's footsteps. Bush Jr. spent his entire first four years out of the White House, either on his ranch, or campaigning for his party.

Thin is in?   July 1st, 2009 2:31 pm ET

Just one in five of those questioned in the poll say New Jersey's on the right track, and only one in four say Corzine's doing good or excellent job as governor.

----------–

Why is it only a six point lead?

Kind of like the same nitwits that are against MOST of Obama's policies when asked without the chosen ones name attached to them, but when asked how he is doing they poll as excellent to good most of the time.

Yeah, that makes so much sense, but then again, you and the media selected, elected and now are making sure he is protected as the fraud in chief.

I HATED Bush, but this guy is uh, uh, uh, uh "Axelrod write my next line for me and put it on the prompter quick" so pathetic the comics feel bad about making jokes about him.

I however am not a obamabot, I could make a slew of jokes about him.

Time to get back to work in Massylvania, you know, the 57th state.

Obama Victim   July 1st, 2009 2:30 pm ET

must be some cameras there

Fla.   July 1st, 2009 2:29 pm ET

Oh, I get it now...CNN seems to be reaching for Republicans again–this time by using right wing rhetoric/exaggerations in their headline titles. C'mon.

It is President Obama's prerogative to campaign with his fellow colleagues if he chooses, as they did for him in many instances.

Best of luck to Gov. Corzine.

Robin   July 1st, 2009 2:29 pm ET

If we (being the people who live in NJ) are stupid enough to re-elect a man with a 25% (at best) approval rating, we deserve what we get.

Chris Christie, I pray, will win. He is moderate enough for the bleeding heart liberals and conservative enough not to tax the death out of the state.

stevie   July 1st, 2009 2:28 pm ET

well, its what he does best.............................

if you think about it........between his campaign for president and if he were a two term president (lets all hope not) it would mean that we would all be subjected to 10 years of Obama...........

talk about a need for change

yuck

Legna   July 1st, 2009 2:26 pm ET

Obama will b just what conservative Democrats,Republicans, and Independents need. Proven to be a momumental liberal Obama will stimulate anti vote against liberalism. Have at it....

Cowboy in West Texas   July 1st, 2009 2:25 pm ET

No news here – Mr. Obama can never turn down a chance to get in front of people or the TV cameras.

Jimmy the Greek   July 1st, 2009 2:24 pm ET

Yeah – that's a good idea....

North Korea is promising a missile firing towards Hawaii in 4 days... but Obama thinks it's a great time to go campaigning.

Billy Ray Valentine, Philadelphia, PA   July 1st, 2009 2:24 pm ET

Corzine is just another Goldman Sachs lackey who runs the Obama administration via campaign contributions. When will people finally wake up and realize the corruption going on between Wall Street and government?

Jack   July 1st, 2009 2:23 pm ET

I was not aware he ever left the campaign trail. With all the TV appearances, commercials for his policies and fundraisers I can't believe he has time to address any important issues like Iran and North Korea with anything other then a soundbite. Oh wait...

Hugo Castro   July 1st, 2009 2:23 pm ET

Corzine better "buckle up"! This is going to be a wild ride, and you can bet on a huge anti-Obama backlash.

We are "deeply concerned" where he and his loony lib friends are taking this country.

Willy Brown   July 1st, 2009 2:23 pm ET

birds of the same feather

A Free Thinking American   July 1st, 2009 2:21 pm ET

Did he ever stop campaigning?

SENSIBLE MIKE   July 1st, 2009 2:21 pm ET

Obama needs to actually work as opposed to stumping for lame duck Govenors like Corzine.

Judy   July 1st, 2009 2:21 pm ET

Obama hitting the campaign trails isn't news, even if this time it isn't for himself. He hasn't quit campaigning since becoming president!

SLM   July 1st, 2009 2:20 pm ET

Yes, CNN finally gets it!! Campaigner in chief is what he does best. Obama needs to quit campaigning and get to work or NOT. Probably best if he just campaigns atleast that way he isn't spending more money we don't have.

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   July 1st, 2009 2:18 pm ET

It's a wrap for Christie now. You might as well give this one to Corzine.

Kevin in Ohio   July 1st, 2009 2:17 pm ET

Give it a rest and get to work. You have the filibuster proof majority in the Senate, a majority in the House, and a majority of governors. Are you looking for total control? Can you spell D-I-C-T-A-T-O-R ?????

Tom Paine   July 1st, 2009 2:17 pm ET

New Jersey is a disaster. You'd think the NJ voters would get fed up and and kick out the Democrats.

Melissa   July 1st, 2009 2:16 pm ET

Cool. Good luck to them both. Hope the Democrats win again.

jm   July 1st, 2009 2:16 pm ET

Hey Obama, you have a job to do remember.

Taylor B1   July 1st, 2009 2:15 pm ET

Interesting that the link headline says "GOP Gaining Ground in NJ" but when we click on the link we get two stories, one of which is about someone joining the Corzine campaign and the OTHER about how the race has tightened and Corzine has cut Christie's lead by six points...how did CNN come up with that odd transition?

Dan   July 1st, 2009 2:14 pm ET

Go Obama Go.

We are proud of you. The Country will progress under your Presidency. You will lead the country to Success.

Bush and Cheney should be in Jail. They are Criminals.

Republican Party is all Done. You know what, in this world the incompetent get eliminated automatically. Republican Party will be extinct.

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