Part of that strategy involves connecting those imperiled incumbents in red states to an unpopular president, and when candidates steer clear of Obama and distance themselves from the party, it underscores the Republicans’ national message that Democrats are running from their own, potentially toxic affiliations.

But at the same time, those spotlights may be feeding right into the Democrats’ 2014 playbook, in which the party is making a concerted effort to keep the president far from at-risk candidates in order to emphasize the incumbents’ independence and the local nature of their campaigns.

“[Republicans’] whole goal is to say Begich, Obama, whatever. And Alaskans are much smarter than this. They know exactly what I’ve stood for, and when I disagree with the president, they hear it loud and clear,” Begich said in an interview. “When he’s wrong, I make it very clear. When he needs to be convinced, I hammer hard. And they know it. I think [Republicans] trying to do this split off — they’re just making my point. That’s what I’ve been saying. And if they want to keep echoing that point, go for it.”