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# Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu Gives President Obama a Passing Grade

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by 

[Maya Rhodan](https://time.com/author/maya-rhodan/)


## Maya Rhodan


Oct 15, 2014 1:52 AM UTC

by 

[Maya Rhodan](https://time.com/author/maya-rhodan/)


## Maya Rhodan


Oct 15, 2014 1:52 AM UTC

On a scale of one to ten, Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu said Tuesday that she rates Obama at “six to seven,” giving the president a passing grade even as [vulnerable members ](http://time.com/3507165/alison-grimes-barack-obama-midterm-elections/)of the Democratic Party work to distance themselves from the President as Election Day draws nearer.

During the candidates joint Senate debate in Louisiana, all three candidates for Senate—Democratic incumbent Landrieu, Republican challengers Rep. Bill Cassidy and retired Air Force colonel Rob Maness—were asked how they would rate both President Obama and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. Obama, who has about an 38.7% approval rating in Louisiana, according to the _Huffington Post_ [pollster](http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/louisiana-obama-job-approval), was ranked zero by both Republican candidates.

Landrieu, however, was willing to cut him some slack. “I think he’s had some really tough issues to deal with,” Sen. Landrieu said.

Jindal fared better between the two Republicans, gaining a seven rating from Cassidy and a five rating from Maness. Landrieu gave Jindal a three.

The candidates sparred over issues like Common Core and health care coverage throughout the debate, with the Republican candidates largely focusing on Landrieu’s record of voting with the President. Because the race is split between three candidates, the contest may not be decided in November. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote on election day, a runoff election will be held on December 6.

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