Obama Makes Desperate NJ Swing

The White House doesn't want to lose Jon Corzine:

President Barack Obama is making a last-minute campaign appearance for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine's re-election bid.

Obama's scheduled to appear Sunday at a pair of rallies for the only incumbent governor seeking re-election. Just one of two governors' offices on the ballot for Tuesday's elections, the White House is aware Democratic losses would be spun as a referendum on Obama.

The results could also foreshadow next year's elections, when 37 governorships come up for grabs.

The president plans to appear with Corzine at two New Jersey campaign stops, in Camden and Newark, before returning to the White House.

Meanwhile, another new poll finds Corzine and Republican challenger Chris Christie running nearly even in the race.

The Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey Poll released Sunday finds Christie backed by 43 percent of likely voters, while the incumbent Democrat is supported by 42 percent.

In the last Monmouth/Gannett poll issued two weeks ago, they were tied at 39 percent.

Independent Chris Daggett was backed by 8 percent of likely voters in the latest poll, down from 14 percent.

"This election will be defined by turnout like few others before it," poll director Patrick Murray said.

In blue, blue New Jersey this race shouldn't even be close, but high taxes, job losses and a general feeling that Democrats are screwing up the world is taking its toll. I don't think appearances by Obama will have any effect on the overall numbers at this stage of the game. If New Jersey voters aren't convinced that Corzine has anything more to offer, Obama certainly isn't going to convince them.

And frankly, it's a risky move for Obama because he now will get much more scrutiny if Corzine loses despite his help.