>>>

white house
officials say even though the president is vacationing in
martha
‘s vineyard, he is tapped into the developments taking place in
libya
. nbc’s
kristen
welker is traveling with the president, joining us now from
martha
‘s vineyard.
kristen
, obviously, as the president travels, the
white house
travels with him.

>> reporter:
absolutely. hi there, thomas. well, a
white house
official tells us that
president obama
was indeed briefed on the situation in
libya
earlier today, that the
united states
is in close contact with its allies, continues to believe that gadhafi is in his final days there in
libya
. in the meantime, the
white house
also continues to insist that this is a working vacation for the president. the only sign of the president on
martha
‘s vineyard saturday, his motorcade leaving a private
social event
in
oak bluffs
. a
white house
official says earlier, mr. obama was briefed on the unfolding situation in
libya
and on the two american hikers jailed in iran. in his weekly address taped in illinois during last week’s midwest bus tour, the president kept up the pressure on congress, urging them to pass bills which he argues could help jump-start the economy.

>>
the only thing preventing us from passing these bills is the refusal by some in congress to put country ahead of party. that’s the problem we have right now. that’s what’s holding this country back.

>> reporter:
in the republican response,
ohio governor

john kasich
fired back.

>>
so, when i hear the president and his allies in washington say we need more spending and higher taxes, it is a real cause for concern.

>> reporter:
and there were also fireworks on the campaign trail.
texas governor

rick perry
stumped in the early voting
state of south carolina
, where he dug in his heels on recent controversial comments, including questioning the validity of
global warming
.

>>
i just happen to believe that, you know, the earth’s temperature has been moving up and down for millenniums now.

>> reporter:
and he defended his charge that fed chairman
ben bernanke
‘s
monetary policies
have been treasonist.
perry
said if he rattled some in his own party, so be it.

>>
the
american people
are really concerned and scared, small businessmen and women are frightened about the
monetary policy
or the lack thereof with this administration.

>> reporter:
but his republican rivals tried to capitalize on
perry
‘s unabashed style. former utah governor
jon huntsman
, who has been trailing in a number of polls, took a swipe at
perry
on twitter, saying “to be clear, i believe in evolution and trust scientists on
global warming
. call me crazy.” minnesota congresswoman
michele bachmann
also barn-stormed in
south carolina
, trying to broaden her appeal.

>>
we are going to make the case that we’re the unifying candidate who can beat obama!

>> reporter:
but political analysts say this race will be centered around one issue, the economy, and will likely be a referendum on the person who currently holds the job.

>>
if the economy is as bad as it is now, and if people are as unhappy with the president and his performance as they are now, it’s going to be very difficult for the president to be re-elected. it’s as simple as that.

>> reporter:
and if you think the race is heated now, it’s really going to ramp up after
labor day
. now, as for the president, he is currently at the beach with his family, we are told.
white house
officials also tell us at this point in time, he is not expected to release a statement about
libya
today. thomas.

>>

kristen
welker in
martha
‘s vineyard, thank you.