Two recent polls have Mr. Ehrlich, who in 2002 became the state's first Republican governor in roughly three decades, trailing by eight and 11 points. He entered the race this summer hoping to ride the anti-incumbent wave that helped Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown win the U.S. Senate seat long held by Democratic Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, followed by GOP gubernatorial wins in New Jersey and Virginia.
"But they can't take back Maryland," said Mr. O'Malley, who supported Hillary Rodham Clinton during the 2006 Democratic presidential primary race.
Though the warm weather drew a large crowd, it also caused dozens of people to pass out.
"Here's another one," the president said at least twice during his roughly 40-minute speech, as he pointed at somebody who dropped. "Give 'em some water. Give 'em some space."
Police did not allow those attending the rally to bring water inside the security perimeter.
The president was joined on stage by Democratic Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer and Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, who is expected to win her fifth term. However, first-term Democratic Rep. Frank Kratovil Jr., in a tight race in Maryland's 1st District, where Mr. Obama's initiatives are less popular, did not attend the event.
"He's in [his] district," Kratovil spokeswoman Jessica Klonsky said.
Katherine Soffer of Cheverly, Md., said she attended the rally to show her support for Mr. Obama, Mr. O'Malley and the Democratic Party.
"And I want to help generate some enthusiasm for the midterm elections," she said. "I think this is going to help."
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