President Obama’s feelings won’t be hurt if Democrats running for re-election ask him to keep clear of their races, says an anonymous senator speaking to The Washington Post.

During a closed door meeting, the former campaign phenom reportedly acknowledged his unpopularity in parts of the union where Democrats are at risk of losing difficult races and, consequently, their majority in the upper chamber.

The conversation touched on the Affordable Care Act, new proposals to boost U.S. manufacturing and Obama’s personal concerns about the historic levels of super PAC money expected to be spent on Senate races this year, according to a senator in the room.

But most importantly, “The president said that he is thoroughly committed to helping Democrats in tough races,” the senator said. “He said he knew he is not popular in some of the states so he would not be offended if he were not invited to visit them this year. But he said he could be helpful in some parts of some states.”

— Posted by Peter Z. Scheer