Democratic hopeful on Obama backing: 'Shove it'

WASHINGTON — The Democratic candidate for governor in Rhode Island said Monday that President Barack Obama can "shove it" for withholding his endorsement in elections just eight days away.

"He can take his endorsement and really shove it, as far as I'm concerned," Frank Caprio told local WPRO-AM radio, even as Obama was due to visit the small East Coast state for two Democratic party fundraisers and a visit to a factory.

Caprio was running against Republican John Robitaille as well as former Republican Lincoln Chafee, an independent who backed Obama's 2008 presidential bid, in the November 2 ballot.

"I've never asked President Obama for his endorsement. And what's going on here is really Washington insider politics at its worst," complained Caprio.

The White House, which has said it will not endorse a candidate in the race, had no immediate comment.