President in Chicago To Stump For Quinn [AUDIO]

John Gregory -- Illinois Radio Network

The race for Illinois governor is getting attention from the highest office in the land.

President Barack Obama headlined a rally at Chicago State University supporting Gov. Pat Quinn’s bid for re-election.

While Obama never mentioned Republican candidate Bruce Rauner by name, he did lump Rauner in with what he sees as the problems with Republican Party policy.

“Unfortunately, Republicans running all across the country and here, they’re just following their leadership in Washington,” Obama said. “They said that raising the minimum wage was nothing but an election year stunt.   Think about that.”

Besides Quinn himself, the event also featured appearances by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), U.S. Reps Bobby Rush (D-Chicago) and Danny Davis (D-Chicago), and State Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago).

Obama was the latest in a line of Democratic heavy hitters to come to the state to help Quinn’s campaign.  First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have also headlined fundraisers and rallies recently.  Former President Bill Clinton is the next to lend his support, as he’ll appear with Quinn in Chicago Tuesday.