Dems map campaign strategy for Obama

WASHINGTON, April 2 (UPI) -- Democratic strategists, eyeing the midterm U.S. elections, are plotting how to use the party's top campaigner as judiciously as possible, insiders said.

Calculating where a campaign appearance by President Barack Obama can help -- or hurt -- a candidate is driven partly by Obama's approval ratings overall, The Washington Post reported Friday. Obama's approval rating has hovered around 53 percent in the Post-ABC News poll for several months.

"There are some cases, like Blanche Lincoln, where it's not helpful" for the president to travel, a senior administration official said, discussing the Arkansas senator facing a tough primary challenge.

Facing a "throw-the-rascals-out" mentality, some Democratic strategists said it's smart for Obama to maintain an arm's length distance from candidates in tough races because it allows them to run against Washington and avoid a downward tug of Obama's approval ratings. Others told the Post the president should begin campaigning early enough to make a difference with the party's base.

Obama has appeared at eight fundraisers this year and so far has one officially announced campaign event on his schedule -- a fundraiser for Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., this month, the Post said. He also plans to raise money for the Democratic National Committee in April.

"It is much more important for him to talk about his economic policies and what he's trying to get accomplished, and to solicit support from the electorate nationwide, than it is for him to campaign for congressional and senatorial candidates at this point," said Democratic consultant Steve Murphy, who is working on several races, including Lincoln's. "Of course, we wouldn't mind him showing up at a fundraiser now and then."