AP Photo/Mike Derer
The seventeen thousand five hundred came from all parts of New Jersey to Holmdel yesterday on a pilgrimage of sorts to see their political hero. Unfortunately for the Corzine campaign, that politician was not the governor. The crowd at PNC Arts Center left no doubt that they had come to see President Barack Obama perform. Corzine, and his campaign, was largely an afterthought.
Obama buttons and shirts were in great supply at the rally. There were scarcely any for Corzine. And while some in the crowd didn't forget the governor on their signs, his name was given second billing. Corzine even spoke first, introducing the president, and serving as the warm-up act for the main event to follow. Though the crowd cheered him, it was clear from the differing receptions the two men received that Obama was the star.
In fairness, the Corzine campaign likely could care less that their man was largely overshadowed at his own political rally. The pictures and press coverage of Corzine with the popular Obama is worth its weight in gold to a campaign trailing badly in the polls and struggling to generate enthusiasm among Democrats. The event will give Corzine a boost, at least for a while. The political trick for the campaign will be to turn that temporary infusion of presidential energy into genuine excitement for Corzine. After all, presidents eventually go back to Washington, and Obama's name will be nowhere on the ballot come November.
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