David Axelrod, Bill Clinton on opposing sides in Dem member matchup

David Axelrod, President Obama's senior campaign adviser, is backing Rep. Steve Rothman (N.J) over fellow Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell (N.J.) in their member-vs.-member matchup, a Democratic aide confirmed.

Although Obama himself isn't wading into the redistricting-related primary, the endorsement by a top aide is significant because Rothman backed Obama in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary.

Earlier in May, President Clinton gave his blessing to Pascrell's campaign. Pascrell backed then-Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) in 2008.

Clinton aides have said that the former president is getting involved in congressional primaries to help those who put themselves on the line four years ago to support his wife.

Obama has less flexibility to endorse in Democratic primaries as a sitting president, adding to the significance of Axelrod's endorsement, which was first reported by the Washington Post.

Republican map-makers dismantled Rothman's district in 2011, merging much of his district with that of Pascrell. New Jersey lost a House seat in the redistricting process. The two will square off in a June 5 primary to determine which will have a chance to remain in the House.

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