November 3, 2009 Some tying governors' elections to Obama Play video

(NECN: R.D. Sahl) - There are two governors races which culminate on Tuesday. Both are being watched by the politcal chatmasters as referendums on President Barack Obama and the Democrats.

We'll start In New Jersey where President Obama has made five campaign appearances to help Gov Jon Corzine win a second term. New Jersey trends Democratic, but this is a close contest.

"Today, I'm standing with President Obama. That tells you all you need to know about what we stand for and what they stand for," Gov. Corzine said.

Republicans haven't won a statewide race in the Garden State in a dozen years. They're pinning their hopes on former federal prosecutor Chris Christie.

"Tuesday is Accountability Day, everybody. That's the time we hold him accountable for the highest taxes in America, that's when we hold him accountable for the worst unemployment in the region," Christie said.

The race is rated a toss-up. The outcome could hinge on independent candidate Chris Daggett. Polls show him pulling double digits among voters.

Virginia looks like a problem for the Democrats. Barack Obama won Virginia a year ago -- the first time a Democrat has carried the commonwealth since 1964. The Obama magic may not be enough for state senator Kree Deeds.

"We are going to win this election because it's the right thing to do because we're going to take Virginia forward. We've got too much at stake to fall down," Deeds said.

Deeds

trails Republican Bob McDonnell by double digits. McDonnell -- a former federal prosecutor -- has campaigned on pocketbook issues.

"Every where we've gone we have people telling us, 'We are spending too much money at every level of government.' Trillions of dollars in deficit spending out of Washington isn't going to solve our economic problems," McDonnell said.

These two races are just a taste of what's ahead next year -- 37 governors, a third of the senate, and every member of the house -- up for election.

"Real or not, this becomes a referendum on the democratic party and the president's performance," political analyst Norm Ornstein said.

"I don't think these elections portend a lot for what will happen in 2010," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.