At a rally for Barbara Boxer Monday night, President Obama was heckled by a few members of a gay rights group upset that the "don't ask, don't tell" policy hasn't been repealed.
I thought he handled it well. He assured them. "We're going to do that!", and ultimately the crowd began chanting "Yes, we can!" He also emphasized Senator Boxer's consistent opposition to DADT.
At an earlier rally, he reminded Californians of a sobering reality: If we don't mobilize and get out the vote with some enthusiasm, Boxer could lose in November. That's how high the anti-incumbent sentiment is right now.
"I don't want anyone here taking this for granted," he said at a reception at the California Science Center, the first of a trio of fundraisers Monday night for Boxer and the Democratic National Committee.
"Unless she's got that support she might not win this thing, and I don't think that's an acceptable outcome. So I want everyone to work hard," the president said.
All incumbents face an uphill battle because of the economy, Obama said, though he insisted it's turning around.
California's Republican primary represents the struggle Republicans are having getting their base unified behind a single candidate. Former Hewlett-Packard chairman Carly Fiorina has spent millions of her own money on her primary race against Chuck Devore, a hard-left conservative with a strong tea party contingent behind him.
Republicans are highly motivated for these midterm elections, and it's going to be crucial for California Democrats to organize, mobilize and work to get Boxer re-elected. Even with the GOP divide, there's a wide swath of money and momentum driving their bus.
