Obama gets ready for re-election bid after family vacation

January 3, 2012 at 10:58a.m.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will waste little time getting back in front of voters after a 10-day Hawaiian vacation spent largely out of the spotlight.

Air Force One landed just before daybreak in Washington this morning after an overnight flight from the island of Oahu. The president is returning from vacation the same day Republican presidential candidates square off in the Iowa caucuses, the first nominating contest of the 2012 campaign.

Obama plans to make his presence in the campaign known quickly.

The president will host a live web chat with supporters in Iowa on tonight as the caucuses are unfolding. On Wednesday, Obama will travel to Cleveland for an event focused on the economy.

Obama aides said the president will seek to draw a contrast with his GOP challengers during Wednesday's trip to Ohio, a state sure to figure prominently in the presidential campaign.