President Barack Obama on Friday will lay out his approach to electing fellow Democrats in congressional campaigns this year as his party tries to overcome stiff headwinds brought about at least in part due to his signature healthcare law.
The president will address the winter meeting of the Democratic National Committee with the aim of maintaining a spirit of unity among party activists.
Democrats are trying to face down emboldened Republicans who see a chance of capturing the Senate and building on their majority in the House of Representatives.
All 435 members of the House and a third of the 100-member Senate are up for grabs in November elections. Obama will make the case that there are still items on his agenda that he would like to see approved in an election year.
Immigration reform stands out as one top item the president would like despite tough odds.
But he will also use his drive early this year to promote policies to create jobs for the middle class as an election-year appeal for voters to support Democrats.
He will argue that Democrats stand for "opportunity for all" versus Republicans who stand for wealthier people, a White House aide said. "Congressional Republicans want to cut education, restore free rein to the powerful interests in Washington, and give more tax breaks to those at the very top -- because they believe prosperity will trickle down to everyone else.
But we know that doesn't work," the aide said. Obama faces a difficult challenge. The party that controls the White House in these so-called "midterm" elections typically loses seats in Congress.
A warning sign for Democrats is his overall approval rating, 43 percent, according to an average of recent polls by the Real Clear Politics website.
His popularity has suffered as a result of the disastrous rollout of his healthcare law in October. While the president is expected to travel widely this year on behalf of his party, the White House acknowledges that Obama will steer clear of Republican-leaning states where his presence would not help.
"The president's political goal is to win as many seats up and down the ballot as possible. We recognize it doesn't make sense to have a sitting Democratic president campaign in some of these redder states," the White House aide said. The White House approach is not "where can we campaign" but instead is "how can we help," the aide said.
Twice elected president with overwhelming financial support, Obama will engage in a sweeping effort to raise money for Democratic candidates.
He plans to headline 30 fundraisers through June, 18 of the DNC and 12 for party money-raising arms for House, Senate and gubernatorial candidates, the aide said.
In addition, Obama will commit to attending events for House and Senate Super PAC, an organization that pools campaign donations and uses the money to campaign for or against a candidate. Obama has spent much of the early part of this year pushing for action in areas to help the middle class, such as raising the minimum wage.
This has the effect of creating a narrative for Democrats to run on.
(Reporting By Steve Holland;editing by Sofina Mirza-Reid)
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