For Democratic politicians, many consider President Obama to be a great political asset. That may be why Virginia Gubernatorial Candidate Creigh Deeds held a campaign rally with Obama and current Virginia Governor Tim Kaine October 27.

“Again and again, Creigh has been there for the people of Virginia, and now he needs you to be there for them,” Obama told the audience. He said the state needs a governor who will worry less about politics and more about the people of the state. “That’s the kind of person Creigh Deeds is.”

Obama’s support may not be enough for Deeds – recent polls like this one (PDF) have him trailing by quite a bit ahead of the November 3 election.

President Obama visited a solar power plant in Arcadia, Florida today, the largest of its kind in the United States. The plant provides electricity for the entire city.

To realize the full potential of solar plants, the United States needs to modernize its electrical grid, which “runs on century-old technology,” Obama said. He said it is “time to build a clean-energy superhighway” that can deliver power to people across the country in the most affordable and efficient way possible.”

The president said his administration is making the largest-ever investment in the electric grid, in the form of 100 grants totaling $3.4 billion. These grants will go to companies or cities to help them install smart-grid technologies. A fact sheet about this investment is available on the White House Web site.

Not very familiar with smart grid technologies? America.gov has a ton of material on the topic, you can check it out here.

President Obama declared the spread of H1N1 influenza a national emergency, more of a procedural move than a cause for alarm.

The declaration enables health care facilities facing H1N1 outbreaks to more quickly implement new procedures or set up alternative care sites. These facilities will be able to submit waivers that will excuse them from certain regulations.

“H1N1 flu is moving rapidly throughout the country and the majority of states now have widespread influenza activity,” the White House says. More information about the emergency declaration is available on the White House Web site.

Michelle Obama showed off her hula-hooping skills October 21 at the White House, in an attempt to highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

The White House lawn hosted children for a “healthy kids fair” to talk about eating right and getting exercise. One in three American children is overweight, which could cause a serious health problem for the nation in years to come, Mrs. Obama said. “None of us wants that for our children and for our children’s futures,” she said.

The first lady also spoke about the Healthier U.S. School Challenge, a program designed to encourage schools to eliminate junk food, provide healthier food options and find ways to incorporate more physical activity into students’ days. Perhaps this will be an incentive for some of the schools – Michelle Obama promised to visit some of the challenge participants.

President Obama said he welcomes the news that Afghanistan will hold a run-off presidential election between current President Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah after neither managed to win at least 50.1 percent of the August 20 vote.

“I congratulate the Afghan people on the patience and resilience they have shown throughout this long election process,” Obama said. The second election will be held November 7.

For more information, see “Obama Lauds Afghan President’s Participation in Runoff Vote.”

A group of elementary school students eating lunch welcomed a surprise guest to their cafeteria – President Obama. The president stopped by October 19 to congratulate the students on their reading skills and test scores.

“I wanted to come by and introduce myself, to say I’m very proud of you,” the president said. “I am hoping that you guys will continue to read, read, read, and that all of you are going to be really working hard not just this year but all the way through high school and then all the way through college.”