Politics
Claire McCaskill: Democratic Candidates Don’t Need Obama
[Politico]
Sen. Claire McCaskill said Tuesday that if she were up for reelection this year in a purple state, she “probably” would not have President Barack Obama campaign with her.
The Missouri Democrat was asked on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” if she would appear with Obama if she were one of the Democrats running for reelection in Arkansas, Louisiana or North Carolina.
“You know, probably not,” McCaskill said. “I’m trying to be really candid and honest on this show. You know, the president’s numbers are not strong in my state, or in Arkansas, or Louisiana, or North Carolina. He did not win those states when he ran for reelection in 2012.”
Democratic senators up for reelection in 2014 reportedly are distancing themselves from Obama and choosing to not campaign with him while Republicans try to pin his policies on the perceived vulnerable candidates.
But McCaskill brushed off the reports, saying the Democrats still have a good chance of holding the Senate in November.
“That doesn’t mean we can’t win. These candidates in those states are strong candidates,” McCaskill said. “They have been an independent voice for their states. They know how to stay on offense. … I think this issue of whether or not you have Obama come to your state is something you like to focus on in Washington that probably is not that important when you get out to these states.”
