President Barack Obama shouldn’t be expecting any campaign requests from Democratic senators in purple states, including Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), who said she “probably” wouldn’t invite the president to campaign with her if she were up for reelection.
With the 2014 midterms fast approaching, McCaskill said Tuesday she would distance herself from the president if her seat was in play and advised her vulnerable Democratic colleagues to do the same.
“Probably not,” McCaskill responded on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” when asked if she would invite the president to campaign with her. “I try to be really candid and honest on this show. The president’s numbers are not strong in my state or in Arkansas or in Louisiana. He did not win those seats when he ran for reelection in 2012. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t win.”
The Missouri Democrat called those senators facing tough races, including Sens. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), “strong candidates” and ‘independent voices’ in their respective states.
“They know how to stay on offense and talk about the Republicans shutting down the government, and the Republicans marginalizing great, hard working people who come to this country wanting nothing more than be a part of the American dream,” she said.
When it comes to campaigning with the president, McCaskill noted it was an issue only of importance to those in Washington, and said few Americans outside the beltway would think twice about his absence.
Hagan snubbed President Obama during his visit to North Carolina in January, saying her schedule did not allow for her to welcome the president to the Tar Heel State.
There are 21 Democratic Senate seats up for reelection in 2014, though 13 of them are held by vulnerable senators. In order to win back the Senate, the Republican Party must win six — without losing any currently held.
Watch McCaskill’ below.
