President Obama’s performance in the first debate has been widely criticized, particularly his answer to a question about Social Security. As a result, the campaign felt the need to put up a blog post clarifying Obama’s position on Social Security. While the campaign uses some very weaselly phrases to put the best possible spin on Obama’s position, they make it perfectly clear that Obama’s plan includes cutting Social Security benefits.

President Obama’s State of the Union address gave us a sense of what the Obama campaign thinks are his strengths and weaknesses. The auto rescue and several foreign policy successes made up a huge part of the speech. But if you weren’t paying extremely close attention, you may have missed Obama’s few passing references to his signature health insurance law.

With 2012 just a month away, the president is clearly feeling the pressure from his Republican challengers… no, no, not to develop a more compelling policy agenda to win the American people’s support; don’t be ridiculous.

What I mean is that with all the media attention on the mind-boggling farce known as the GOP nomination contest, President Obama must want equal time in terms of folks making fun of him, too.

President Obama’s campaign manager, Jim Messina will be at Harvard University on Tuesday, hoping to urge Harvard students to help “pass the bill” or reelect the President or something. However, students and others opposed to the Tar Sands oil development and the Keystone XL pipeline are also planning to be there to greet him.

So if you’re in the Boston area, just hop on the Red Line, get off at Harvard Square and walk down to the Kirkland House, right across from the Kennedy School. Messina is scheduled to be at the Kirkland House Junior Common Room about 3:30 p.m. Here’s a map.

It is another sign Obama’s re-election will hinge almost exclusively the economy.