Washington (CNN) -- Equal pay for women, raising the minimum wage, immigration reform, combating climate change and virtually swearing off extended wars. All are catnip for the political left, and all were highlighted by President Barack Obama this week as he informally launched the November election campaign for 36 Senate seats and a new House of Representatives. By flying the Democratic banner so high in Tuesday's State of the Union address and subsequent road show to four states, Obama tried to signal unity with his liberal base and provide the party's candidates with ammunition for elections certain to be "spirited" -- the Washington euphemism for fierce and nasty.
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President Obama's road show informally launches the mid-term election campaign
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Obama sounds themes benefiting Democrats in his State of the Union address
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The goal: highlight differences with Republicans on issues important to ordinary Americans
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Both parties seek to strengthen their support among women voters
Republicans
Obama's re-election victory in 2012 owed much to a solid majority among women voters, including independents turned off by hardline anti-abortion policies of @placeholder.
Republicans
To Obama, @placeholder must decide "whether they're going to waste time creating new crises that slow things down, or whether they're going to spend time creating new jobs and opportunity," he said Thursday.
Democratic
Democrats
Another topic: reforming the immigration system, with Obama and @placeholder seeking a path to legal status for the millions of people living illegally in the country.
Barack Obama
Obama
Obama
Obama
"If there are any cracks in that united front for the Democrats as champions of middle class and working folks, it undermines not only their 2014 chances, but the remainder of the @placeholder presidential agenda."
Republicans
@placeholder believe they can win control of the Senate by taking six seats from Democrats in November.
Senate
Republicans believe they can win control of the @placeholder by taking six seats from Democrats in November.
Democratic
Democrats
"It's an uphill battle for @placeholder to retake the House," he said, calling the situation "pretty much a matter of arithmetic."
House of Representatives
"It's an uphill battle for Democrats to retake the @placeholder," he said, calling the situation "pretty much a matter of arithmetic."