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Democrats Remain Optimistic After Obama Postpones Visit To Connecticut

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Even with President Barack Obama’s planned visit to Connecticut postponed on Wednesday and Gov. Dannel Malloy’s rally delayed, Democrats in Bridgeport remain optimistic about the upcoming November elections.

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch addresses the media in front of the government center at 999 Broad St., after President Barack Obama postponed his visit to the state's largest city.

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch addresses the media in front of the government center at 999 Broad St., after President Barack Obama postponed his visit to the state's largest city.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio

“We were awfully excited to be selected as a place of hope,” Mayor Bill Finch said on Wednesday about Obama's postponement. “We are very honored to have been selected as a place to speak about the future … but we are obviously disappointed [about the postponement].”

The announcement that Obama’s appearances in New Jersey and Connecticut were canceled for Wednesday was made shortly after noon. The president instead met with cabinet committee members to discuss Ebola, which continues to make headlines as a second American health care worker was diagnosed with the deadly virus.

When contacted for comment, Mario Testo, the 20-year chairman of Bridgeport’s Democrats, was unaware that the rally at Bridgeport Central High, scheduled for 8 p.m., had been moved to a date that has yet to be determined.

“This comes as news to me,” Testo told Daily Voice. “We have to make sure he can make an appearance in the future.”

But an Obama visit is not essential for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate to win the state’s largest city, according to Testo.

“We just have to increase our workforce,” Testo said. “We will be able to deliver Bridgeport to Malloy."

The Democratic governor is locked in a tight race with GOP challenger Tom Foley in a rematch of the 2010 race. The latest Quinnipiac Poll called the race a dead heat. 

For Finch, the postponement of the presidential visit is just a sign that Obama is prioritizing a more pressing issue.

“You can look anywhere around the city and see President Obama’s fingerprints on these investments,” Finch said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by the virus. … We are behind the president in trying to end such a disease.”

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