Should Democrat Have Told Obama to Shove It?

Some conservatives may be cheering for a Democrat this midterm election race: Rhode Island Democratic gubernatorial candidate Frank Caprio. Why? Because he told President Obama to “shove it.”

Yes, it’s been on the lips of many since Caprio told the president he can stick his endorsement where the sun doesn’t shine. It turns out that President Obama will not be endorsing his fellow Democrat because Caprio’s opponent, Republican-turned-independent Lincoln Chafee, is a friend of the president after he endorsed Obama in the 2008 presidential elections, reported The Associated Press.

And adding insult to injury? President Obama did not have the decency to tell Caprio himself that he wasn’t going to endorse him. Caprio had to find out from a reporter on Sunday, which led to the now famous quote.

“He can take his endorsement and really shove it …,” Caprio said of the president’s non-help while on the Providence radio station WPRO on Monday morning.

And to top it off, President Obama was in Rhode Island on Monday to raise money for Democratic House candidates, among other things. So not only did the president disrespect Caprio by not endorsing him, but he was in his state. It’s like having your mother-in-law come into your house and ignore you.

Wait, that might be a good thing for some guys.

The sad part is Caprio wasn't even good enough in the president’s eyes to have Michelle Obama come out and endorse him.

Most of us can understand Caprio’s disgust with the president, but that being said, he should have been a bit more respectful. You just can’t go around saying “shove it” to the president. Sure, Caprio was hurt and mad and who wouldn’t be when your leader disses you not only nationally, but in your own state?

But we need to be respectful to the president, even if we don’t always agree with him. We can politely disagree with him without using words from the famous song “You Can Take This Job And Shove It.” Caprio could have even taken the high road and said, “I’m disappointed to hear the president won’t be endorsing me.”

But hey Caprio, if it’s any consolation, you shouldn’t be looking a gift horse in the mouth.

You should ask Martha Coakley if she was happy with the president’s endorsement.

I know Scott Brown was.

Anthony Leone is a political columnist who has an extensive background in journalism, from newspapers to magazines to news sites and blogs.