Prominent voices jump into congressional campaigns as midterms loom
(KMSP) - With just days until the midterm elections, things are heating up not just in Minnesota, but across the country.
Both parties are relying on presidential power, with both President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama hitting the campaign trail.
"The level of fervor. The level of fever is very strong on the Republican side, so I can't speak to the blue, but I can speak to the red. There's a lot of energy out there,” said Trump.
Touting his base before he left the White House Sunday, Trump seems confident ahead of his stops in Georgia and Tennessee, two traditionally red states.
“I've never seen such excitement, maybe back in '16 during the Presidential right around the vote, but I've never seen such an enthusiastic Republican party,” Trump added.
Meanwhile, in Gary, Indiana President Obama drummed up support for Democrats.
"The health care of millions is on the ballot. A fair shake for working families is on the ballot. Perhaps most importantly, the character of our country is on the ballot,” Obama said to the crowd.
Obama called the race the most important election of our lifetime.
“So if you don't like what is going on right now, don't just sit there. Don't just sit there and complain. Don't get anxious and throw up your hands and say, 'Oh, my God.' Don't hashtag. You need to vote,” Obama said.
According to FiveThirtyEight, a website that analyzes political races, Democrats have an 85 percent chance of winning control of the house, while Republican have the same chance of maintaining control of the Senate.
"I'm feeling really good,” said Republican House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. “We know there's a lot at stake. We know there's a lot of close races, but, I think we're going to hold the House. I feel the enthusiasm. Every swing district I go into, you can see it.
Scalise is expecting the unexpected, although FiveThirtyEight shows President Trump has a 52.6 percent disapproval rating.