Spokesman: Obama 'hopes' Barrett wins

Associated Press

Updated: Jun 4, 2012 1:53 PM

MADISON (AP) — President Barack Obama's press secretary says the president hopes Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett beats Republican Gov. Scott Walker in Tuesday's recall election.

Obama's spokesman Jay Carney was asked during a briefing Monday in Washington why Obama wasn't campaigning for Barrett in Wisconsin. Obama was in neighboring Minnesota on Friday but did not venture into Wisconsin.

Carney says the president supports and stands by Barrett. He says "you have a unique situation in Wisconsin where the election is the result of a recall petition but the president absolutely stands by Tom Barrett and hopes he prevails."

Former President Bill Clinton did campaign for Barrett on Friday in Milwaukee.

Recent polls show Walker with a narrow lead over Barrett.

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