US President Barack Obama is sharply warning his core supporters to "buck up" and shake off their "lethargy" as Democrats stare at a looming hammering in legislative elections. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine released on Tuesday while Obama was on a four-state campaign swing, the president said progressive voters who complained he had not lived up to his billing need to accept reality.
"It is inexcusable for any Democrat or progressive right now to stand on the sidelines in this midterm election," said Obama, in remarks again showing irritation with some of his more left-leaning supporters. "The idea that we've got a lack of enthusiasm in the Democratic base, that people are sitting on their hands complaining, is just irresponsible.
"We have to get folks off the sidelines. People need to shake off this lethargy, people need to buck up. Bringing about change is hard. "But if people now want to take their ball and go home, that tells me folks weren't serious in the first place."