Obama Out Of The Spotlight, But Flush With Cash

On a daily basis, there seems to be a new GOP contender rising from the woodwork to pose a challenge to the steady campaign of Mitt Romney. But, on the other side, where has President Barack Obama been? I know it sounds like an odd question, considering Obama is out and about with his normal schedule, while mixing in campaigning for re-election, but he has not been a highly visible person these days.

Obama seems content, and I cannot blame him, to let these GOP hopefuls tear each other apart on a daily basis as he sits back. It reminds me of a horse race where a jockey will sit back and stalk the field, letting others set the pace, before he decides to make his move.

Sure, he has thrown his shots at the GOP candidates here and there, but his under the radar demeanor would not lend you to believe that it's a presidential re-election year. Mitt Romney has been the most consistent candidate, and seems to be opening some distance from the others. Still, though, he is being forced to fight hard on a daily basis against a field of hopefuls that does not seem to be thinning at the moment.

It almost feels like the Obama machine is sitting back and laughing while the others duke it out, and simply taking notes to use as ammunition when a clear-cut candidate comes out.

Again, I think it is a very smart strategy, but at the same time, his presidency has not been rosy enough to where he can sit back too long. He hears criticisms every day from these candidates, but it is not resonating through headlines because they are slinging so much mud at each other.

The time is nearing, however, when the mud will be squarely thrown at the President.

So, it becomes an interesting proposition and balance to decide how long to stalk the pace before cracking the whip.

One area where President Obama has not been passive is in fundraising.

President Barack Obama's campaign has hauled in more than $68 million combined for his re-election and the Democratic Party during the final three months of 2011. Obama campaign manager Jim Messina announced the figures in a video to supporters released Thursday. Campaign officials had hoped to raise at least $60 million combined during the fundraising quarter, setting the stage for the 2012 campaign.

The President has a war chest and loaded guns.

When we will he fire his shots?