Democrat tells Barack Obama: Take your backing and shove it

President Obama faced a stinging rebuke from a member of his own party who told him to "shove it" as the Democrats' mid-term election campaign descended into rancour.

Frank Caprio, who is attempting to become the first Democrat governor of Rhode Island in 16 years, tossed the verbal grenade at Mr Obama for failing to back his election campaign.

He told a local radio station before a visit by the President that he could take his endorsement and "shove it" after Mr Obama refused to endorse him.

Mr Caprio is running against an independent candidate, former Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee, who backed Mr Obama in the 2008 presidential election despite being a Republican.

White House aides said the president had put personal choices above the party in deciding not to endorse the Democratic candidate.

"Out of respect for his friend Lincoln Chafee, the president decided not to get involved in this race," said White House spokesman Bill Burton.

Rhode Island is one of the few states where Mr Obama's approval rating is more than 50 per cent.

The Democrats face losing both chambers of Congress, the House and Senate, in next Tuesday's mid-term election. Millions of voters will cast ballots for 435 House seats and 37 of 100 Senate seats, while 37 states will elect governors.

Should the Republicans seize the majority in both houses Mr Obama is in danger of being a lame duck president as, without a majority, he faces an uphill task in passing any legislation.

The latest poll by political website Politico will make grim reading for senior Democrats today. It showed that independent voters, who helped sweep Mr Obama into office, were now veering towards the Republicans.

Dissatisfied with his policies, notably the $1 trillion health care reform Bill and his attempts to kickstart the faltering economy, many have lost faith in his ability to lead America.

A pre-election Battleground poll showed Republicans with a 14-point advantage among independents. More than 60 per cents hold an unfavourable view of the health reforms law, while just under 70 per cent said the recovery legislation was not working.

On the question of leadership, 69 per cent of independents say they have less faith in government now than they did just before Mr Obama was elected.