Crowds thinned steadily Sunday as President Barack Obama made a rare appearance on the campaign trail rally supporting Democratic candidate Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown in Maryland.

The departures gathered momentum as the president spoke. Ten minutes into his speech, members of the crowd were seen leaving by the dozen, although much of the crowd remained for the entire event.

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A pro-immigration reform heckler in the crowd interrupted his speech at one point, raising a handwritten sign that read "#Not1More."

According to Reuters, the early departures of the members of the crowd underscore the sagging popularity of the president.

Obama's approval ratings have plummeted to record lows this year, prompting members of the Democratic Party to avoid being seen with him in public. The Pew Research Center has recently revealed that 49 percent of Americans disapprove of the president's performance.

Obama's campaign-related efforts have mostly been limited to appearing at fundraising events to shore up support for Democratic candidates who worry of losing the Senate leadership come midterm elections on Nov. 4.

Obama was in Maryland, a state largely considered a Democratic heartland, to urge voters to turn up at voting polls next month. Democrats are known for their reluctance to participate in midterm elections, Reuters observed.

Obama repeatedly pounded the message that Maryland has to vote, saying there are no excuses as the future rests on voters who will be choosing between "two very different visions for America."

He said he believes in the patriotism of the Republicans, but indicated that "they are a broken record." He made the case that hope is a better option than cynicism, and hope is exactly what the Democrats are "selling."

Brown, who is currently ahead of his Republican opponent Larry Hogan by 11 points, may not be hurt by President Obama's declining popularity, Reuters observed. But it could prove to be a different story for Illinois gubernatorial candidate, Governor Pat Quinn, who is running a tight race against Republican Bruce Rauner.

Tagspolitics, Politics of the United States, Barack Obama, Democratic Party presidential primaries, Barack Obama presidential primary campaign