Obama calls top lawmakers amid Mideast protests

[September 14, 2012]  ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) -- President Barack Obama is thanking the four top leaders in Congress for supporting the nation's diplomatic corps amid violence aimed at U.S. embassies in several Middle East countries.

Obama phoned the leaders as he flew home Thursday from a campaign rally in Colorado.

White House spokesman Jay Carney says Obama and the lawmakers also discussed a plan to keep the government funded after the fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

The two Republican leaders -- House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell -- refrained from joining several other Republicans who criticized Obama's handling of the Mideast unrest.

Obama also called Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, both Democrats.

[Associated Press; By CHUCK BABINGTON]

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