Free Republic

The turmoil across the Middle East along with other foreign crises and budget battles across the country are threatening to overshadow President Obama's concerted efforts to show the nation that he is focused on reviving the economy as he ramps up his 2012 re-election campaign. Since his State of the Union address last month, Obama has traveled away from Washington at least once a week, mostly stopping in political battleground states that will be crucial to his re-election bid, including Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. He has a trip to Florida planned for next week

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama says Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi must leave now. Obama made the comments to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a private telephone conversation Saturday as they discussed the violence in Libya.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi must leave the country now. Obama made the comments to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a private telephone conversation Saturday as they discussed the violence in Libya. The White House says Obama told Merkel that when a leader’s only means of holding power is to use violence against his people, then he has lost the legitimacy to rule and needs to do what’s right for his country by “leaving now.” The comments mark the first time that Obama has called on Gadhafi to step down.