Obama: ‘I need Ed Markey in the United States Senate’

Obama and Markey June 12 (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

President Barack Obama on Wednesday put on his campaign hat Wednesday to personally insert himself into the Massachusetts Senate special election—a key race for both parties as they seek to lay claim to the traditionally Democratic-leaning state.

Obama spoke at an event in Roxbury Crossing, Mass., for Democratic Rep. Ed Markey, who is running June 25 to succeed John Kerry, who resigned earlier this year to serve as secretary of state. Markey faces tough competition from Republican businessman Gabriel Gomez, and both parties are looking to boost potentially game-changing turnout for a special election, which typically draws lower-than-average turnout.

Vice President Joe Biden at a fundraiser for Markey on Tuesday night spoke directly to the party faithful, saying that Al Gore won the 2000 presidential election and attacking freshman Republican tea party stars in the Senate.

"This man was elected president of the United States of America," Biden said of the former vice president, who also delivered remarks at the Markey event.

Obama on Wednesday, before his remarks, visited Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe in Boston with Markey where they greeted patrons. There, according to the pool report, Obama said, "I want to make sure you know that there's going to be an election coming up for Congressman Markey to send him to the Senate. I want to make sure everybody turns out and votes. All right? This guy has been fighting for Massachusetts for a very long time, and he cares deeply about all the folks here. I know it seems like there's an election every other week, but this one's important."

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-campaigns-markey-massachusetts-senate-race-172717435.html