David Jackson

USA TODAY

President Obama says he doesn't mind Democratic congressional candidates who shun him on the campaign trail — he knows they're behind him.

"This isn't about my feelings being hurt," Obama told radio show host Al Sharpton in an interview Monday. "These are folks who are strong allies and supporters of me, and I tell them, 'you know what, you do what you need to do to win. I will be responsible for making sure that our voters turn out.'"

Expect Republicans to amplify Obama's comments, especially in races against Democrats from red states where the president is popular. The parties are battling for control of the U.S. Senate.

Earlier in the campaign, the GOP made use of Obama's statement that, while he is not on the ballot in November, his policies are.

As The Washington Post put it, "Obama appears to have just handed Republicans some more ammunition."

In the interview, Sharpton asked Obama about Democrats who haven't embraced him on the campaign trail.

Part of the president's response:

"We've got a tough map. A lot of the states that are contested this time are states that I didn't win. And so some of the candidates there, it is difficult for them to have me in the state because the Republicans will use that to try to fan Republican turnout.

"The bottom line is, though, these are are all folks who vote with me; 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."