message of stopping foreign air strikes. in libya, government tanks stepped up shelling in misrata and zintan killing at least one person. top leaders in washington are framing the debate over spending and the potential for a government shut down. on "meet the press" david gregory asked senator dick durbin if president obama is willing to sit on the sidelines while congress dukes it out. >> if the president asserted himself with the obama plan it would be rejected. congress would say, wait a minute, separate branch of government, we'll call you when we need you. at this point this is our responsibility. so a president walks a delicate line here. he doesn't want to go too far in pushing his idea but he wants to be there to encourage congress to come to the right conclusion. >> nbc news white house correspondent mike viqueira on the white house lawn. good morning. >> good morning. >> with the funding for the government running out on friday, can we expect more from the president as this day approaches? will he do the duking out on