Meeting with his Cabinet at the White House, President Barack Obama announces a shift in his focus - from a concentration on Syria - to an emphasis on domestic issues.

SOUNDBITE: President Barack Obama, saying:

"Even as we have been spending a lot of time on the Syria issue and making sure that international attention is focused on the horrible tragedy that occurred there, it is still important to recognize that we've got a lot more stuff to do here in this government."

Nats: SOUNDBITE: President Barack Obama, saying on August 31,:

"I have decided that the United States should take military action against Syrian regime targets."

Obama - had sought Congress' approval to authorize military strikes on Syria - but asked the U.S. Senate to postpone a vote - while the U.S. pursued a diplomatic path aimed to end Syria's use of chemical weapons.

SOUNDBITE: President Barack Obama, saying:

"I am hopeful that the discussions that Secretary Kerry had with