With President Barack Obama's poll numbers showing poor approval ratings, Republicans running for office during the midterm elections are trying to link their opponents to his policies.

Political analyst Larry Levy says that's the reason why many Democrats are distancing themselves from the commander-in-chief.

"His approval rating is so low, it threatens to drag down other Democratic candidates," Levy told News 12.

In a News 12/Hofstra University public opinion poll, about 32 percent of respondents said President Obama is doing a "poor job," 28 percent said he is doing a "fair job" and only 26 percent said the president is doing a "good job."

President Obama has not been on Long Island to stump for Democratic candidates this election season. A spokesman for Democratic congressional candidates Kathleen Rice and Tim Bishop say they did not ask for Obama's endorsement. Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs says that's not at all surprising.

"It's not atypical for presidents in this position," said Jacobs. "Nobody was rushing for George Bush two years from the time he left office. They didn't even want to mention his name. That's common."