President Obama campaigns for Chris Coons in Wilmington

President Obama holds a fundraising rally with Delaware Democrats for Chris Coons.

President Obama hit the campaign trail for Chris Coons (D) during a fundraising appearance at the Grand Opera House in downtown Wilmington Friday afternoon.  He was joined by Vice President Joe Biden who for more than three decades held the seat Coons is now running for.

Coons took the stage first, urging the crowd to keep working over the next two and a half weeks.  He said many supporters have told him during the campaign to give them a call if they need some help.  “I’m calling.  Today, I’m calling,” Coons said.  “Now is the time to stand up, to get out and to share with your friends and your family what are the stakes in this election.  And of all the people I called, of all the people I asked for help and support, I am most grateful to our Vice President and our President who are joining us here today.”

Coons then introduced the Vice President who got a big ovation.  Biden talked about the calls he and his son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, made to encourage Coons to run for the Senate seat once it became clear that Beau Biden would not run for the seat.  “The reason we feel so strongly about Chris Coons is, like you, we know him.  We not only know he has a really, genuinely keen intellect and is an incredibly bright guy, that is self evident.  But, the other thing about it him that I like about him the most, and I thank his mom and dad, is he’s so centered.  He knows why he’s in this,” Biden said.  “When Chris Coons goes to the United States Senate, you will never, never, never have to wonder why you voted for him.  This is a man of incredible integrity.

After Biden introduced the President, Obama seemed to put the rumors that Biden would be dropped from Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign to rest.  “The single best decision that I have made was picking Joe Biden to be my running mate,” Obama said.  Transitioning to Coons, the President said, “When he talks about cleaning up Washington, it’s from the standpoint of someone who’s cleaned house as a county executive, somebody who’s balanced a budget, somebody who’s cracked down on wasteful spending, somebody who even cut his own pay.  Believe me, you won’t see too many members of Congress willing to do that.”

Obama also touched on a common theme for the Coons campaign when talking to supporters and volunteers- not taking the election for granted.  “I want everybody to be clear, there is  no doubt this is a difficult election.  It is difficult here, and it’s difficult all across the country.  And although I think Chris has so far run an extraordinary race, I don’t want anybody here taking this for granted.  This is a tough political environment.”