President Barack Obama addresses the crowd as he campaigns for Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke. (Associated Press)
President Barack Obama, whose slumping popularity is a drag on fellow Democrats in the congressional races, is sprinting state to state this week on behalf of six Democrat governor candidates whose chances are not as linked to national issues.
Next Tuesday's elections feature governor races in 36 states. Democrats are particularly optimistic about knocking off Republican incumbents in Kansas, Florida and Pennsylvania. Republicans are looking at a good shot at turning out the incumbent in reliably Democrat Illinois.
In the Senate races, Republicans have a good chance of picking up the six seats needed to wrest the majority from the Democrats, which would hand the opposition party wide powers to thwart Obama's legislative agenda for the remainder two years of his term.
Further demonstrating voter mood, some of the stiffest challenges facing Democratic House candidate are in states where Obama cruised to double-digit victories just two years ago.
If the Republican momentum holds until the Nov. 4 election, it would show how much the party has recovered since its disappointing showing in 2012, when they failed to win the White House and control of the Senate under the weight of tea party-backed right-wing candidates who alienated moderate voters.
This year, Republican leaders worked to keep the most radical candidates off congressional ballots. They also are looking stronger because of Obama's low popularity ratings, partly born of a litany of foreign policy woes and widespread sentiment that a tepid economic recovery has yet to improve lives.
Both parties agree that the Republicans will hold their House majority. The question is whether Republicans can gain enough seats to rival their post-World War II high water mark of 246. The current breakdown is 233-199 in favor of the Republicans with three vacancies.
In the governor races, Obama is in Maine on Thursday to pump for Mike Michaud, a six-term congressman who hopes to unseat Republican Gov. Paul LePage in a neck-and-neck race.
Democrats hope a visit by Obama so close to Tuesday's election will encourage party members to vote and put Michaud over the top. Democrats often forego midterm elections where there is no race for president.
Earlier this week, Obama was in Milwaukee to exhort Democrats to turnout in an appearance Democrat Mary Burke. The former businesswoman is challenging Republican Gov. Scott Walker, who could advance a possible 2016 presidential bid by winning re-election.
After the Maine events, Obama was traveling to Rhode Island, where he will spend the night.
Obama's campaigning will extend into the weekend, the final one before the votes are counted nationwide.
He plans to campaign Saturday in Detroit with Michigan gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer and Gary Peters, the only Senate candidate Obama is scheduled to appear with before the elections. Two stops are on Sunday's schedule: Connecticut for Gov. Dannel Malloy, and Philadelphia for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf. Wolf is challenging Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.