Dem. Congressional Campaign Chief: Skip the Convention

Rep. Steve Israel, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, is urging Democratic candidates to skip his party's national convention in September.

"If they want to win an election, they need to be in their districts," Israel reportedly said at a Reuters conference, according to Reuters.

"I don't care if the president was at 122 percent favorability right now," he said. "I think (candidates) should be in their districts," rather than spend time at the convention, which will be in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 3-6.

"A trip to Charlotte may be interesting," Israel said, "but why leave your districts?"

The Democratic convention, during which Obama will formally be nominated as the Democratic presidential choice, is viewed warily by some of the party's candidates.

The gathering to fete Obama is a particularly sensitive issue for Democratic candidates who are in close races in states or districts where Obama trails Republican Mitt Romney in voter surveys.

Israel's advice might not be necessary: already Democrats are staying away. Missouri senator Clair McCaskill won't be coming; likewise, House Democrat John Barrow of Georgia will be skipping the conference. More Democrats are expected to follow.