Obama cancels Maine trip in deference to shooting victims

President Obama cancelled a plan trip to Portland, Maine, next week out of sensitivity to the victims of the Connecticut elementary school shooting.

"In the aftermath of the tragic shooting in Newtown, Connecticut today, the President’s event planned for Wednesday in Portland, Maine has been cancelled," press secretary Jay Carney said in a statement. 

The president had been scheduled to visit the University of Southern Maine on Wednesday to ratchet up pressure on House Republicans to agree to tax rate hikes on the wealthiest Americans as part of an eventual debt deal.

The White House did not say whether the event would be rescheduled, but with the holidays — and the deadline to avert the fiscal cliff — rapidly approaching, it is unlikely.

Obama has been making weekly campaign-style stops as he negotiates with House Republicans to strike a deal. Earlier this week, he visited an automobile plant in Michigan, and the week prior he spoke at a toy factory outside of Philadelphia.

Earlier Friday, a visibly emotional Obama offered condolences to the victims of the mass shooting.

"Our hearts are broken today for the parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children, and for the families of the adults who were lost," Obama said.

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