Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana appears to have botched an attempt to compliment some of his minority staffers, using phrasing that suggests they do a great job despite their race.

Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana appears to have botched an attempt to compliment some of his minority staffers, using phrasing that suggests they do a great job despite their race, reports the Washington Post. During a Tuesday debate, he commented: "Our state director is Indian American, but he does an amazing job. Our director of all constituent services, she's African American, but she does an even more incredible job than you could ever imagine."  "It isn't their race or their religion. It's the incredible person that they are," he also noted. "But at the same time they have to have a chance, they have to have an opportunity, and that's my responsibility…my campaigns and our Senate office should reflect the face of Indiana." Donnelly is one of the Democratic Senators at greatest risk of losing his seat, according to PBS News. While some polling puts him in a dead heat with his opponent Republican Mike Braun, others show Braun up by a handful of points.