(USA Today) — While some aides may be thinking about the 2012 re-election campaign,  President Obama himself is focused on the task at hand, a top aide says.

“His obligation is to think about all Americans every day,” White House adviser Valerie Jarrett said on NBC’s Meet The Press, and not be “distracted” by purely political news.

Jarrett later said, “he’s everybody’s president, regardless of party affiliation.”

Prodded by host David Gregory, Jarrett said Obama does not spend time thinking about possible 2012 Republican opponents like Sarah Palin.

If Obama focuses on things like jobs, national security, and other issues important to all Americans, Jarrett said, “then I think the politics will take care of itself.”