President Obama says Democrats avoiding him in the 2014 midterm elections are only doing so because they need to win and are strong supporters of his agenda.
"So some of the candidates there, ya know, it is difficult for them to have me in the state because the Republicans will use that to try to fan Republican turnout," the president said in comments aired on Politics Nation with Al Sharpton.
The president said that politicians running from him are supporters of his agenda, though — something that's become a point of attack, actually, in Republican ads this cycle.
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"The bottom line is though, these are all folks who vote with me," he said. "They have supported my agenda in Congress. They are on the right side of minimum wage. They are on the right side of fair pay. They are on the right side of rebuilding our infrastructure. They're on the right side of early childhood education."
The president said his feelings aren't hurt and he tells vulnerable Democrats to do what they have to in order to win.
"So, this isn't about my feelings being hurt. These are folks who are strong allies and supporters of me. And I tell them, I said, you know what, you do what you need to win. I will be responsible for making sure that our voters turn out."