Obama likened to disgraced captain

Top Republican official Reince Priebus sparked a political uproar by comparing President Barack Obama to disgraced Italian ship captain Francesco Schettino.

Commenting on tough exchanges between Republicans vying to face Mr Obama in November, the Republican National Committee chairman said the focus would soon shift to Mr Obama.

“In a few months, this is all going to be ancient history and we’re going to talk about our own little Captain Schettino, who is President Obama.

“He is abandoning the ship here in the United States and is more interested in campaigning than doing his job as president.”

Asked to clarify his remarks, Mr Priebus went further.

“I call him Captain Schettino, you know, the captain who fled the ship in Italy. That’s our own President, who is fleeing the American people and not doing his job and running around the country and campaigning.”

Capt Schettino became infamous around the world this month when his Costa Concordia ship liner run aground, killing at least 16 people.

He is accused of being responsible and of fleeing the stricken ship before his passengers were safe. The comparison with Mr Obama prompted indignation among Democrats, with the Democratic National Committee describing it as “shameful”.

Democratic strategist Donna Brazile said the comments were misleading and shameful.

Obama’s campaign headquarters are in Chicago and key members of his successful 2008 campaign, such as Jim Messina and David Axelrod, have returned to staff it.

On the day of the election announcement,the campaign released a promotional video showing supporters of Obama organising their relection effort. It is the US presidential re-election campaign to use Twitter and Facebook for promotions.