WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says that Republican wins in two governors' races were not referendums on the president.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters Wednesday that voters went to the polls in Virginia and New Jersey to work through "very local issues that didn't involve the president."
The presidential spokesman said voters were concerned about the economy. He said "I don't think the president needed an election or an exit poll to come to that conclusion."
Republicans turned aside Democratic candidates in both states, raising questions about the limits of the president's influence on his party's base of support and on the moderate lawmakers he needs to advance his legislative priorities.
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