Obama to rally Democrats at USC on Oct. 22

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Hoping to motivate Democratic voters, President Obama will headline a rally at USC on Oct. 22, according to a source with the Democratic National Committee.

“As we approach the midterm elections, the president will lay out the stakes for the country and the choice for voters this November: whether to support Democratic leaders and continue to make progress for American families and small businesses — or to return to the failed, Bush-era policies that nearly drove the nation into a second Great Depression,” the source said.

Obama is among many star politicians from both sides of the aisle who are lavishing an unprecedented amout of attention on California in the final weeks before the Nov. 2 election. Former President Clinton and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin are visiting the state this week.

Democrats have a double-digit voter registration edge in California, but are less enthustiastic and motivated compared to 2008, and compared to their GOP counterparts. The DNC is spending $50 million to try to prod their supporters to the polls.

Obama’s afternoon rally, which will take place on the McCarthy Quad, is the president’s fifth “Moving America Forward” event. Similar gatherings in Madison, Wis., and Philadelphia drew tens of thousands of supporters.

People interested in attending the event will be able find more information in coming days at www.Mybarackobama.com.

Obama is also expected to campaign with U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, who is facing a tough reelection battle against former Hewlett-Packard chief Carly Fiorina. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown, locked in a tight battle with former Ebay chief Meg Whitman, is expected to attend the USC rally but not campaign individually with Obama.

-- Seema Mehta in Los Angeles