Campaigner in chief

Here it is: “Hello, everyone. Today, I’d like to talk with you about the important role each of us will play in 2010 — a role that began more than three years ago, when we set out on an incredible journey to change this country for the better.

“A few months ago, we asked you to help us set our priorities for 2010, and let us know how you thought we could win elections at all levels of government. You told us your first priority was to make sure the same people who were inspired to vote for the first time in 2008 go back to the polls in 2010. So that’s what we’re going to do.

“It will be up to each of you to make sure that the young people, African-Americans, Latinos and women who powered our victory in 2008 stand together once again. … If you help us do that — if you help us make sure that first-time voters in 2008 make their voices heard again in November — then together we will deliver on the promise of change, hope and prosperity for generations to come.”

So with Obama’s numbers dangerously low in the swing districts that will decide control of Congress, it will take quite a number of surge voters to turn the tide against Democrats this fall.

One thing is for certain: Obama won’t be turning out the Armenians, after remarks he made this weekend. According to The New York Times, Obama’s refusal to use the term “genocide” to describe the killings of 1.5 million Armenians at the turn of the 20th century is a change since his presidential campaign, when he sponsored legislation using the term and said “as president I will recognize Armenian genocide.” Though back then it was “not an opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact,” and he added that “an official policy that calls on diplomats to distort the historical facts is an untenable policy.”

Untenable no more. Obama’s policy of trying not to alienate Turkey prompted the Armenians to condemn him. The Armenian National Committee of America said this weekend that Obama’s “euphemisms and evasive terminology” were “yet another capitulation to Turkey’s threats.”

Obama’s broken promise to Armenians could count in pockets of California, where Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) is in the fight of her career. We certainly know Republicans everywhere are mad and energized to vote. Will Obama help get those surge voters fired up and ready to go?

Can he?

WILL DEMS MOVE ON IMMIGRATION FOR REAL? Ask A.B. returns Tuesday, April 27. Please join my weekly video Q&A by sending your questions and comments to askab@digital-staging.thehill.com. Thank you.