It's The EconomyThis Week, Not Pakistan

SPRINGFIELD, MO -- The Obama campaign is focused like a quarterback on the economy, and they won't let anything detract from the message. Obama's meeting Tuesday with Pakistan's prime minister,  Yousuf Raza Gilani, in Washington was notable for what did not happen: no press pool was allowed in to "spray" the event.  Why?  A picture of Obama and the PM and the chance to ask him a few questions would detract from the message of the week, which is the economy.  The press would surely have baited both men into a debate about Pakistani sovereignty. Not this week. (To be sure, the PM's schedule might not have permitted time for a spray, but Obama's campaign would not have pressed the point.)

Obama has economic two town hall meetings today in Missouri. He picnics in the evening with Sen. Claire McCaskill, who flew with him here last night.