Politics digest

NEW JERSEY

Obama describes Corzine as 'partner'

In a final campaign swing on behalf of the only governor seeking reelection this fall, President Obama on Sunday pitched New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine's bid as a key component for the White House to make good on its political promises.

"He's one of the best partners I have in the White House. We work together," Obama said. "We know our work is far from over." The president drew 5,500 people at a rally in Camden and 11,000 later in Newark, according to White House estimates. He urged supporters to work hard to give Corzine (D) another term in office so he can work with Washington to help restore the economy. A loss by Corzine would be seen as a political embarrassment for the White House.

Obama tagged Republican leadership and lax regulations for the economic crisis and dismissed GOP candidate Chris Christie's criticism of Corzine. Their race is seen as a tossup, and a Monmouth University-Gannett New Jersey poll released Sunday found Christie backed by 43 percent of likely voters and Corzine by 42 percent.

"It wasn't a consequence of Obama policies or Corzine policies that we went into this hole," the president said in Camden. "There seems to be some selective memory going on here."

In Newark, Obama kept the campaign personal: "I know this man. When I was running for the United States Senate, before anybody knew my name, Jon Corzine offered his support."

He added: "I want everybody in this auditorium to make a pledge that in these next 48 hours, you will work just as hard for Jon as you worked for me. That you'll knock on just as many doors, that you'll make just as many phone calls, that you'll be calling your friends and your neighbors and your co-workers. You're going to be grabbing, you know, that -- those relatives who don't vote all the time -- Cousin Pookie, you're going to be calling him over: 'Pook, you got to come vote.' Because your voice matters."

Corzine, entering the final push of the race, wrapped himself in Obama's brand, calling the president "our friend, our partner." He took the stage to a Stevie Wonder tune, a staple from the Obama campaign soundtrack. Citing Obama's win a year ago, Corzine said a victory on Tuesday would help him support the White House's agenda.

"I'm here to ask you a simple question: Are you ready to keep it going?" Corzine said. "Today I am standing with President Obama. That tells you everything you need to know." The race might provide a much-needed win for Obama and the Democrats, who trail in the nation's only other gubernatorial race. Virginia appears to be favoring Republican Robert F. McDonnell. White House aides are bracing for Democrat R. Creigh Deeds's defeat and already are girding for criticism that Obama did not do enough to help someone they describe as a flawed candidate.

-- Associated Press