President Obama Rallies For Gov. Malloy In Connecticut Ahead Of Election Day
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- President Barack Obama made a stop in Bridgeport, Connecticut Sunday in an eleventh-hour push to help fellow Democrat Gov. Dannel Malloy in his re-election campaign.
Obama praised the governor for pushing for an increase in the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour and helping to create one of the most successful health insurance marketplaces in the country.
Malloy is in a dead heat with Republican Tom Foley with just two days until Election Day.
"The man I am running against has spent his life hurting the middle class," Malloy said. "You know the stories about companies bought and companies bankrupted, while he made millions and millions of dollars."
While Malloy took aim at Foley, the president took on apathetic voters, WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reported.
"Volunteer these last couple of days. Make some phone calls. Knock on some doors. Grab everybody you know, get them out to vote," Obama said.
President Obama Rallies For Gov. Malloy In Connecticut Ahead Of Election Day
But the event wasn't without its interruptions.
Hecklers who oppose U.S. immigration policy repeatedly shouted at Obama until they were escorted out. One protester wore a T-shirt reading "Obama deports parents.''
The president told the crowd he supports immigration reform and retorted by saying "I'm not the one blocking it.''
"I am sympathetic to those who are concerned about immigration,'' Obama said. "It's the other party that's blocked it. Unfortunately, folks get frustrated and they want to yell at everybody.''
This was the latest of high-profile appearances by Democrats in the state. First lady Michelle Obama drew thousands as she campaigned for Malloy in New Haven last week.
Meanwhile, conservative petitioning candidate Joe Visconti has dropped out of the governor's race and thrown his support to Foley in a last-minute effort to defeat Malloy.
Visconti announced his withdrawal on Sunday at a campaign stop with Foley in Brookfield.
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