President Barack Obama headed to Maine Thursday to rally for Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Rep. Mike Michaud, even as he tries to avoid saddling fellow-party members with more baggage over his plummeting performance ratings.

Obama's first stop was to a mansion owned by Michaud's supporters for a private fundraiser to aid the Democratic National Committee. According to the Associated Press, the event had raised at least US$412,000.

Like Us on Facebook

The president then set off to a Portland gymnasium to rally for Michaud, who is in a tight race against Republican incumbent Gov. Paul LePage. Third candidate independent Eliot Cutler is lagging at a distand third.

Speaking to a crowd of about 3,000 Democrats, Obama praised the six-term congressman's dedication to the American working class and other policies the administration supports like health care, equality for women and the minimum wage hike.

Thursday's stop marks the fourth rally the president has pitched for Democrats in this round, with only a few more before the elections on Tuesday.

Obama has been carefully avoiding public appearances with the party's candidates owing to his flagging popularity in key states that could determine Senate control.

The president "has done everything we've asked," said Democratic Senate Campaign Committee executive director Guy Cecil.

For the most part, Obama has been cooperative in this respect. He has already delayed executive action on immigration reform to aid Democratic Senate candidates and has held off naming a replacement for Attorney General Eric Holder.

According to Brian Duff, a political science professor at the University of New England, the main goal for a Democratic win in Maine is simply to encourage Democrats to vote for Michaud instead of Cutler.

Duff said voters just need that final push to return to the fold.

Of course, it also helps that the GOP incumbent's highly conservative views conflict with the majority of constituents, he added.

Tagspolitics, Community organizers, Mike Michaud, Democratic Party, Barack Obama