Some Democratic strategists think candidates tried too hard to avoid the president . President Barack Obama has a sagging approval rating nationally and in key states . That said , some on the left think running away from a sitting president is a losing strategy . The president did not want to tell candidates how to run their campaigns , his aides said . The White House says it will not comment on private conversations between administration officials or with members of Congress.
Some Democratic strategists think candidates tried too hard to avoid the president . President Barack Obama has a sagging approval rating nationally and in key states . That said , some on the left think running away from a sitting president is a losing strategy . The White House says it will not comment on private conversations between administration officials or with members of Congress.