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Obama to stay away from midterms

President Obama allegedly told Senate Democrats that he will remain out of this year's midterm elections if it means helping his party win.
President Barack Obama walks out of the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Feb. 7, 2014.
President Barack Obama walks out of the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Feb. 7, 2014.

President Obama is backing away from some Democratic legislators who might not seek his help during this year's upcoming midterm elections.

During a meeting last week with Senate Democrats, Obama reportedly offered to stay out of the midterm races where his presence won't be helpful, a proposal that came nine months before this year's elections. Supposedly only a few Senate incumbent and challenger candidates said they want Obama's backing.

Leaders in D.C. began the year with negative views, as 62% of the American public said the country has gone off the "wrong track," according to a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll. Additionally, 50% of citizens said they disapproved of Obama's job as chief executive of the country. The same amount held an "unfavorable" view of the president.

Relations with Syria, the economy, and implementation of the health care law were two factors leading to citizens' unfavorability of him.

Job gains in the country are expected to average 200,000 a month this year. But a mere 113,000 jobs were created in January, the second straight month when the jobs numbers failed to meet expectations, according to a recent survey of economists.

On the immigration front, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York floated an idea to delay reform by taking the president out of the debate and enacting a law but not allowing it to take effect until 2017.

Sixty-three percent of the country doesn't have confidence that Obama can make the right choices, according to the poll. Pollsters asked a random national sample of 1,003 adults between Jan. 19 and 23.

But more than half - 53% - of Americans said the president will not be a factor in their choice to vote for Congress, according to the poll. 

The midterm elections are set for Nov. 4.