Sen. Claire McCaskill (D., Mo.) said Tuesday she would not campaign with President Obama if she faced re-election this year on Morning Joe.
"I mean, I try to be really candid and honest on this show," she said. "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 re-election in 2012, but that doesn't mean that you can't win."
Vulnerable Democrats like Sens. Kay Hagan in North Carolina, Mark Begich in Alaska, Mark Pryor in Arkansas and Mary Landrieu in Louisiana are among those fighting for re-election in 2014 in states that Obama lost in 2012.
Those senators have sought to put political distance between themselves and President Obama, whose approval rating has been underwater since the disastrous rollout of Obamacare and the reporting of its harmful effects on the economy.
Full exchange:
MARK HALPERIN: Senator, Mark Halperin here. If you were running for re-election in Arkansas, Louisiana or North Carolina, would you invite the president and campaign side-by-side with him?
CLAIRE MCCASKILL: You know, probably not. I mean, 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 Louisiana or North Carolina. He did not win those states when he ran for re-election in 2012, but that doesn't mean that you can't win. These candidates in those states are strong candidates. They have been an independent voice for their states. They know how to stay on offense and talk about the Republicans shutting down the government, and the Republicans marginalizing great, hardworking people who come to this country wanting nothing more than be a part of the American dream. So I don't -- I think this issue of whether or not you have Obama come to your state is something we like to focus on in Washington, but probably is not that important when you get out to these states.