Biden to visit Gulf Coast next week

UPDATE 12:20 p.m. ET: A senior Obama administration official tells The Associated Press that Biden is expected to visit the National Incident Command Center in New Orleans and the Florida Panhandle.

Apparently, AP says, the trip is beiong scheduled because the White House is eager to show a hands-on sense of command over the oil spill disaster, which has rocked the Gulf Coast and reshaped Obama's presidency.

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The Coast Guard says Vice President Joe Biden will travel to the Gulf Coast on Tuesday. No details yet on where he'll go.