Absent Obama is front-and-center in bail out talks

One sentiment runs below the crosscurrents as a summit of world leaders wrestled with a global crisis this weekend and Congress in the week ahead struggles with rising unemployment and an ailing auto industry: What would Obama do?

Obama stayed away, ensconced in Chicago, unwilling to make any public show of political influence before he is sworn in to office Jan. 20. Indeed, his break with Congress will be complete on Sunday when he officially resigns his Illinois Senate seat.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27752740/