Obama Delays Asia Trip to Firm Up Health Reform

Despite White House assurances to the contrary yesterday, President Obama will postpone his Asian trip for three days to focus on firming up health care reform legislation. Congressional Democrats had expressed dismay that the president was leaving the country as the House approached a deal that may allow them to pass the Senate bill, Politico reports. Obama will depart for Indonesia and Australia on the March 21, not 18—the deadline he gave Congress for a deal—and will trim all sidetrips, leaving Michelle and the girls at home. (More President Obama stories.)