Budget fight looms, Obama heads out of town

President Obama: leading by leaving.

According to guidance sent to reporters, Obama plans to leave for Philadelphia and New York on Wednesday, despite promising the day before that he would host Boehner and Reid at the White House if they didn’t reach a budget deal. Obama told reporters on Tuesday that he’s “prepared to meet for as long as possible” with them, and he said that if they didn’t make a deal at a meeting later that day, “then I want them back here tomorrow.”

Boehner and Reid didn’t reach an agreement, and no such meeting is scheduled with Obama — yet.

The trip to New York and Philadelphia is essentially a campaign swing, since he’s conducting a townhall meeting on energy. Well, that and a speech to Rev. Al Sharpton’s group. Maybe Brackets will leave one of the Clintons in charge (again).