While the GOP presidential hopefuls continue to present themselves to voters in the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Florida, one contender will not be found in these classically political areas: the president.
This week, as he gears up for his anticipated jobs speech on Thursday, President Obama met with community members in the Hurricane Irene battered Jersey shore; assessing the flood damage alongside Governor Chris Christie and other disaster relief officials. Mr. Obama was clear to assure the residents of New Jersey that federal support would not be jeopardized, and the entire country "is behind them."
Although the first primary (Iowa) will not be held until late January, 2012, the race for the Republican candidacy has continued to dominate national news with the Iowa straw poll, fiery entrance of Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, and continued murmur of possible candidate Palin. These candidates dedicate each day, tweet, and speech to faulting the president for the worsening job reports and distancing themselves from one another.
But what does it say of the incumbent candidate to not be involved with whirlwind of campaigning- but speaking with disaster victims, giving a crowd-pleasing speech on Labor Day in Detroit, and preparing to introduce a supposed bold plan to tackle the 9.1% national unemployment and fluctuating economy?
Two of the GOP candidates have moved their campaign headquarters to Florida.
Michelle Bachmann is working to attract populist Republicanism.
Mitt Romney is redirecting his presidential focus to combat the rise of Rick Perry fervor, and garner support from the Tea Party currently loyal to Bachmann.
Rick Perry is, well, campaigning from the hip and scaring the heck out of the original "top tier."
Jon Huntsman continues to portray the pragmatic and often more moderate outlier.
And Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and Herman Cain just want to be taken seriously.
But Mr. President is being Mr. President. While every utterance for an elected official is political to an extent, the president has not addressed his rivals directly and instead focuses on his continuing responsibilities in office.
While there will certainly be an onslaught of political prowess espoused from the master campaigner following the primary- these actions do speak of Obama's priorities and concern for the welfare of his constituents.
As the Republicans woo donors in the south and smear each others' credentials at every pit stop- perhaps some brilliant campaigning could come in the form of, not.