Democrat Candidates Trying to Separate Themselves From Biden: Buddy Carter

GOP Representative Buddy Carter has said that Democratic candidates in the U.S. midterm elections are trying to distance themselves from President Joe Biden.

The Georgia Republican was asked during a segment on the conservative outlet Newsmax to react to a video of Biden out on the stump for the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman.

Democrats consider Fetterman's campaign against Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz one of the best chances to flip a seat, while a new Fox 29-Insider Advantage poll showed the candidates tied at 46 percent.

In the clip, a reporter asked Biden why "more candidates do not want to be seen in public with you" prompting the president to walk towards the camera and tell him, "What are you talking about?"

In a separate encounter with a reporter on Thursday, Biden was asked why he had not campaigned with more Democratic candidates, replying, "that's not true. There've been 15," adding, "count, kid, count."

Carter told Newswmax he thought that Democratic candidates "are trying to separate themselves from Joe Biden because they want to separate themselves from his failed policies."

Taking a swipe at Biden's "cognitive abilities" Carter also said the Democrats "want to separate themselves as much as they can from the failed policies of this administration", which have "crushed our economy." Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment.

Earlier this month, Ohio Democratic Senate candidate Tim Ryan, who had opposed some of Biden's policies such as student loan relief told Fox News he did not plan to call on Biden to stump for him. His GOP rival J.D. Vance is using top Republicans as a campaign strategy.

Biden has been absent from competitive Senate and gubernatorial races in states including Georgia, Arizona, Nevada and North Carolina. His only confirmed campaign stop coming up is private fundraiser in Florida on November 1, a week from polling day, The Times of London reported.

A Democratic official told CNN that some Democratic candidates may not want to appear alongside Biden but still want to tout his legislative accomplishments.

However, Biden's approval ratings have slumped due to inflation and fears of a coming recession. Just under 41.5 percent of Americans approve of Biden's job performance, while 53.5 disapprove, according to the FiveThirtyEight polling average on Saturday.

Democratic strategist Jon Reinish told Bloomberg that Biden's campaign travel decisions depend on whether he can help a candidate or whether he it is better for him to concentrate on raising funds. "If it benefits a race," he said, "then I'm sure he'll do it."