President Obama Campaigns For Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown In Md.
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (WJZ) -- Less than three weeks to go until Marylanders hit the voting booths to cast their ballots. One of the men who wants to be governor is getting a big show of support from the president.
Derek Valcourt explains the rally drew a huge crowd of thousands waiting to see the president.
There were so many people at the rally that some of them couldn't even get in. As expected, the president said Anthony Brown was the right man for the job in a rally that was all about revving up energy for the Democrat's campaign.
They waited for hours in long lines. Nearly 8,000 people packed an Upper Marlboro high school auditorium for a rally in support of Anthony Brown's bid to become governor.
"I think we can do it, but we brought in a little bit of reinforcement," Brown said.
All smiles as President Obama gave a rousing endorsement of Brown and encouraged the friendly crowd to "Get Out the Vote."
"Anthony Brown has devoted his life to fighting for you, you now need to fight for him," the president said. "You need to knock on doors, make some phone calls, talk to your friends, talk to your neighbors."
The president's visit was aimed at firing up the Democratic base in Prince George's County just days before early voting is set to begin.
"It definitely makes me want to go and vote for him to be our next governor," said Kue Lattimore.
Some of Brown's supporters and even a few undecideds say hearing from the president means a lot.
"If the president is behind him, he must be doing something great," said Carlton Davids.
"It just shows he's a formidable candidate," said Sheila Hayes.
"I was not sure which way I was going to go, but I arrived for Obama. So if he's going there, I'm going there with him," Ogbonna Hopkins said.
The president joins all of Maryland's Democratic heavyweights in supporting Brown, who, right now, holds a lead in most polls.
But Brown's challenger, Larry Hogan, is getting some high-profile Republican endorsements of his own. Former presidential contender Mitt Romney and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie have thrown their fundraising support behind Hogan, along with former Maryland Republican Governor Bob Ehrlich.
This week, Hogan will continue to get some big name support. Chris Christie is expected to return to Maryland Monday for another effort to help Hogan and former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge will be part of a Hogan fundraiser on Monday.
The president, meanwhile, is also slated to visit several other states in the coming weeks to campaign on behalf of other Democrats in tight races.
Early voting begins on Thursday, Oct. 23 and lasts until the following Thursday.
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