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Connecticut's Democrats Look For Obama To Reschedule After Ebola Delay

GREENWICH, Conn. -- President Barack Obama's plans to pump up the campaign of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in a rally Wednesday was put on hold due to concerns over Ebola, but a senior Greenwich Democrat believes Obama will still make a visit to the Nutmeg State.

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, of Greenwich.

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, of Greenwich.

Photo Credit: File

Obama postponed his campaign stop at a rally in Bridgeport to remain in Washington, D.C., to meet with senior officials to discuss what can be done to halt the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.

Drew Marzullo, the lone Democrat of the three-member Board of Selectman in Greenwich, said the president knows how close the fight is between Malloy and his Republican opponent Tom Foley.

"He is well aware of how important his election is and how close the election will be," Marzullo said about the gubernatorial race, which is in a dead heat, according to the latest Quinnipiac Poll.

In an email announcing the postponement, the Connecticut Democratic Party said the rally, planned for Bridgeport Central High School, had been postponed.

"The rally will be rescheduled in the coming weeks," the statement said. No date was given. 

Obama's visit was also seen as a boost not only for Malloy but also for other Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Jim Himes. Himes is seeking his fourth term representing the 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 2010 in another pre-Halloween campaign stop in Bridgeport, Obama stumped for Malloy and Himes, helping Malloy to win the gubernatorial race by a few thousand votes over Foley. The visit also helped Himes, who was one of the few Democrats in competitive races to survive the Republican onslaught that year that saw the GOP regain control of the House.

Himes campaign spokesman Libby Carlson said the postponement won't hurt his campaign.

"It's appropriate and understandable that the president postponed his visit to respond to this situation. We would certainly welcome the president's efforts to energize people to vote, but the postponement of this trip will by no means have a negative impact on Jim's campaign," Carlson said in an email.

Mark McNulty, communications director for the Foley campaign, said it's always welcome when the president comes to the state. But he said an Obama visit would have little effect on the Foley campaign.

"It doesn't change the dynamics," McNulty said. "The race is really about the failed policies of Dan Malloy."

An email and a voice message was left with the Malloy campaign.

Marzullo, an EMT with the Greenwich Emergency Medical Service, welcomed Obama's decision to remain in Washington to deal with the Ebola threat.

"I would rather my president remain in Washington to confer with his officials," he said.

Anyone with tickets to Wednesday's canceled rally will have priority to attend when the president returns later in the campaign, the Connecticut Democratic Party said.

Starting on Monday, Oct. 20, at 10 a.m., those with tickets must return them to any of the following locations by Thursday, Oct. 23, at 5 p.m. and supply their contact information for the next rally, the party said.

Here are the places where tickets can be returned: 

  • Hartford Field Office, 30 Arbor St., 3rd Floor
  • New Haven Field Office, 50 Fitch St.
  • Bridgeport Field Office, 908 Wood Ave.
  • Bridgeport East Main Street Headquarters, 2484 E. Main St.
  • Stamford Field Office, 29 Bank St.

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