President Obama Stumps for Clinton Today in Philly

President Obama is speaking in Philadelphia today to drum up support for Hillary Clinton, his preferred successor to the office of POTUS. Democrat Clinton is currently taking a few days off the campaign trail as she recovers from pneumonia, but her supporters – and that includes the sitting Commander in Chief – are still working hard to ensure that Clinton maintains her edge over opponent Donald Trump. Pennsylvania is usually considered a safe state for Democrats, having voted blue consistently in the last six presidential elections, but polls show Clinton up by only five points over Trump in the Keystone State. Clearly there is work to be done.

President Obama will campaign for Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia today in front of the Art Museum. (REUTERS/Saul Loeb/Pool)

Road closures for Obama’s appearance began around 6 AM for the main event, which will take place at Eakins Oval. According to ABC 6, “There will be significant traffic detours in the area surrounding the Art Museum. Lane restrictions will begin around the curb lanes of Eakins Oval, and at 7 AM Kelly Drive will be detoured inbound at Fairmount Avenue.” At the same time, MLK Drive and Spring Garden will have their traffic detoured onto I-676.

Staring at 9 AM, all traffic will be detoured away from the Oval for the event. The entire area will be closed to vehicular traffic. Motorists are being encouraged to use alternate routes like Ridge Avenue or Broad Street.

President Obama will speak in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, in a plaza. Later, he’ll attend a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee in the City of Brotherly Love before hopping a flight to New York City for a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraiser.

Clinton’s health troubles have been grist for the media’s scandal mill for weeks, but things came to a head when the candidate had to excuse herself from a commemorative ceremony at the 9/11 memorial. She claimed heatstroke, but word later emerged about the pneumonia diagnosis. Trump will continue to try and cast doubts about Clinton’s stamina, undoubtedly.