Baltimore area residents who listen to African-American radio stations like WOLB this morning will hear President Barack Obama making a pitch to re-elect Gov. Martin O'Malley, according to the governor's campaign.
(Text of the ad and a link to hear it appear after the jump.)
The radio spot will feature the president touting fellow Democrat O'Malley's record on education and the economy. It will be later be aired on a broader number of radio stations, said O'Malley Deputy Campaign Manager Rick Abbruzzese.
Rumors that Obama (or the First Lady) will stump for O'Malley in Maryland have been swirling around the State House for weeks -- but those intensified Monday. Abbruzzese would not confirm whether the president has committed to campaign.
Fueling the talk perhaps was O'Malley's Monday stop at the White House to witness Obama sign into law a bill that included a program that lets governments guarantee some small business loans -- an initiative that the governor has been pushing in order to help businesses borrow funds from the still tight capital markets.
In the dead-heat gubernatorial competition, turnout will be critical, and the state's top Democrats are nervous after the unusually poor showing in the primary. Over the summer polls showed that Obama was still fairly popular in Maryland -- which is 29.7 percent African-American.
The country's first black president could be particularly helpful in Baltimore and Prince George's County, two majority African-American and majority Democratic areas where O'Malley is counting on racking up the votes needed to win.
Text and ad link, provided by the O'Malley campaign:
Narrator: An important message from President Barack Obama.
The President: Maryland. You have a choice in the election this fall. A choice whether you keep moving forward with the hard working leadership and vision of Governor Martin O'Malley ... or do you slip backwards ?
In the toughest of times, Martin O'Malley has moved Maryland forward creating jobs, investing in schools, providing affordable opportunities for college, and improving public safety.
I've seen Martin work ... and I know this governor has made the tough decisions to put education, safety, and job creation first.
So, stand with me, Barack Obama, in Moving Maryland Forward with my friend ... Martin O'Malley.
Narrator: So please join President Barack Obama in supporting Martin O'Malley for Governor. Because voting in this year's election is to best way to strengthen our schools, create new jobs, and keep Maryland Moving Forward.
MOM: Paid for by friends of Martin O'Malley. M.Cadagon, treasurer