Obama Rallies for Corzine in New Jersey

President Barack Obama told a packed campaign rally that New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine has reduced the size of government, increased children's health care rolls and was "an ally" in developing a national economic recovery plan.

Earlier, Obama told Democratic donors he supports Corzine as a leader "who has been called to govern in extraordinary times" and has not shied from making difficult choices.

The rock star president came to New Jersey Thursday hoping to rescue Corzine's ailing re-election campaign. Recent polls find the incumbent trailing Republican challenger Chris Christie, a former federal prosecutor.

Some 17,000 people wildly cheered Obama's entrance to the rally at the PNC Bank Arts Center.

>READ OBAMA'S REMARKS