Updated

President Obama is facing more fallout from his decision to not endorse Rhode Island Democratic gubernatorial nominee Frank Caprio.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton says that Obama decided to stay neutral in the race "out of respect for his friend Lincoln Chafee."

Nathan Daschle, head of the Democratic Governors Association says that the president's lack of support is "disappointing."

"Frank Caprio has spent his career fighting for the values of the Democratic Party," Daschle said in a statement, "He deserves the full support of our party and its leaders."

Caprio is currently locked in a three-way race against Republican John Robitaille and Republican turned independent Lincoln Chafee. Chafee, a former U.S. Senator, was an early supporter of Obama's White House run in 2008, but his campaign says that he does not expect to receive a presidential endorsement.

According to the latest Real Clear Politics polling average, Caprio holds a slim 1.7 point lead over Chafee. Robitaille currently trails Caprio and Chaffee by double digits.

Caprio won't be losing sleep over the snub though. He told a Providence, Rhode Island radio station Monday that Obama can "take his endorsement and really shove it."