Beep. . . beep. . . here comes the Obama Express, next stop Mayor Barrett’s back.

Via Politico:

The White House is bracing for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to hang on in Tuesday’s recall election — denying that the contest portends anything for President Obama’s chances in November.

“A race where one side is outspending the other by a ratio of at least 8 to 1 probably won’t tell us much about a future race,” press secretary Jay Carney said. “I know the president is aware of the election. I think he’s got some other responsibilities,” Carney said. “I know that he’s not following it minute by minute. . . You know that he tweeted about it earlier. He stands with the Democratic candidate, Mayor Barrett, in this race.”

Still, Obama campaign manager Jim Messina listed Wisconsin as a toss-up in a video message to supporters this week — even as the campaign has limited Obama’s involvement in the polarized recall election that seeks to oust Walker over his anti-labor legislative push last year.