President Barack Obama had one important message to deliver to Senate Democrats during their Wednesday retreat: if they were facing a tight reelection race this year, they wouldn’t need to invite him back to their states.
An anonymous senator in attendance told the Washington Post that Obama reassured vulnerable lawmakers he was aware his appearance in states where he is unpopular could do more harm than good.
“The President said that he is thoroughly committed to helping Democrats in tough races,” the senator told the newspaper. “He said he knew he is not popular in some of the states so he would not be offended if he were not invited to visit them this year. But he said he could be helpful in some parts of some states.”
The senator did not tell the Post which states Obama was referring to.
Aides confirmed to the newspaper that two vulnerable Democrats, Mark Begich of Alaska and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, did attend the meeting.
