PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A White House spokesman says President Barack Obama decided not to endorse fellow Democrat Frank Caprio in the race for Rhode Island governor out of respect for his friend, former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee.
Chafee, a former Republican who endorsed Obama before the 2008 primary, is now an independent candidate for governor.
Obama is in Rhode Island on Monday campaigning for other Democrats and has refused to get involved in the governor’s race. Caprio said earlier in the day the president could “shove it” after learning he would not endorse him.
When pressed for another example of Obama’s refusal to endorse a Democrat, spokesman Bill Burton told reporters aboard Air Force One: “You’ve got me stumped.”
Obama did not address Caprio’s remarks or take questions from reporters during an appearance in Woonsocket.
