MSNBC just reported news that surprised me. President Obama will go to Massachusetts to campaign with Martha Coakley.

This is a huge gamble; if I were in Rahm Emanuel’s shoes, I’d be saying, “Mr. President, don’t go.” If Coakley loses, Obama will have turned into late-2006 Bush within one year of taking office.

Frankly, I’m just not all that sure that he can drive a Coakley win. As noted earlier, Obama’s job-approval rating in Massachusetts is a surprisingly modest 48 percent, and polling on his health-care bill, etc., is not as high as one might think.

UPDATE: Meanwhile, Scott Brown’s latest radio ad relies on people from, you know, Massachusetts:

Title: “People on the Street” RADIO (1:00)
ANNOUNCER: People on the street talk about Scott Brown.
MAN #1: I was raised a Democrat so was my family and the Democrats of today are not the Democrats I grew up with and I vote for the candidate I don’t vote for the party. WOMAN #1: I’m supporting Scott because I don’t want people down in DC making decisions about my health care. I want to keep my health care. I want to keep it for my children and my parents.
MAN # 2: Scott Brown is a man that shares the same ideals that I do. He’s all for fiscal responsibility and I can’t wait to have the opportunity to vote for Scott Brown.
WOMAN #2: He’s a regular person. He doesn’t owe anyone anything. He’s an independent voice and he will do wonderful in Washington.
MAN #3: As an American citizen, national security is the biggest concern I have. And I think Scott Brown is the best choice for the people of Massachusetts.
WOMAN #3: I’m supporting Scott Brown. I’m a young person and I really believe in everything that Scott Brown stands for — his values, his integrity and his commitment to the people.
SCOTT BROWN: My name is Scott Brown and I approve this message.
ANNOUNCER: Paid for by Brown for U.S. Senate.

UPDATE: The sort of thing you miss if you’re not following me on Twitter: “After meeting Saturday with George W. Bush on Haiti, Obama goes to Boston Sunday, arguing that Scott Brown is as bad as George W. Bush.”