Obama on three-day bus tour

President Obama set out from St. Paul, Minn., on a three-day bus tour in mid-August that gave him a chance to hear directly from a public frustrated with Washington.

5 Seconds

00:00

Aug. 17, 2011

President Obama visits the Whiteside County Fair during livestock judging in Morrison, Ill., during his three-day economic bus tour.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 17, 2011

A piece of paper is tucked into the front pocket of President Obama as he greets people during a visit to the Whiteside County Fair in Morrison, Ill.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 17, 2011

President Obama hugs Norma Haan, 68, at the Whiteside County Fair.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 17, 2011

Obama jumps onto the stage prior to speaking at a town hall meeting at Wyffels Hybrids Inc. in Atkinson, Ill.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 17, 2011

President Obama speaks at a town hall-style meeting at Wyffels Hybrids Inc. in Atkinson, Ill. Obama is on the last day of a three-day bus tour of Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois during which he will discuss ways to improve the economy and create jobs, and hear directly from Americans.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Aug. 17, 2011

President Obama pauses during a town hall meeting at Wyffels Hybrids Inc., in Atkinson, Ill.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 17, 2011

President Obama greets audience members during a town hall meeting at Wyffels Hybrids Inc., in Atkinson, Ill.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 17, 2011

Obama greets members of the audience at a town hall event in Atkinson, Ill.

Jason Reed / Reuters

Aug. 16, 2011

Obama buys ice cream at DeWitt Dairy Treats in Iowa.

Jason Reed / Reuters

Aug. 16, 2011

Obama greets people at DeWitt Dairy Treats in DeWitt, Iowa.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 16, 2011

Obama eats an ice cream from DeWitt Dairy Treats.

Jason Reed / Reuters

Aug. 16, 2011

Obama shakes hands with people outside DeWitt Dairy Treats.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 16, 2011

President Obama tosses a bag of popcorn to the media after visiting Kernel Cody's Pop Corn Shoppe in LeClaire, Iowa.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 16, 2011

Obama visits with owner Kimberly Collier, third from left, and members of her family at Grasshoppers antique and gift shop in LeClaire, Iowa.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 16, 2011

Obama shops at the Grasshopper antique shop in LeClaire, Iowa.

Jason Reed / Reuters

Aug. 16, 2011

Obama poses with members of the family that owns the Grasshopper antique store, along with their golden retriever Brady, in LeClaire, Iowa.

Jason Reed / Reuters

Aug. 16, 2011

Obama carries some souvenirs he bought from the Grasshopper antiques shop.

Jason Reed / Reuters

Aug. 16, 2011

President Obama meets the junior girls’ volleyball team during his visit to Maquoketa High School in Iowa.

Jason Reed / Reuters

Aug. 16, 2011

President Obama arrives to speak at the rural economic forum at Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta, Iowa, during his three-day bus tour in the Midwest centering on ways to expand the economy.

Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images

Aug. 16, 2011

Obama speaks during the Rural Economic Forum at Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta, Iowa.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 16, 2011

Obama speaks during the Rural Economic Forum.

Charlie Neibergall / AP

Aug. 16, 2011

Audience members take pictures as President Obama delivers opening remarks at the White House's Rural Economic Forum in Peosta, Iowa.

Jason Reed / Reuters

Aug. 16, 2011

“I’ve been traveling through these small towns and talking to folks,” Obama told the audience at Northeast Iowa Community College. “You do your part. You meet your obligations. It’s time Washington acted the way you do every single day.”

Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images

Aug. 16, 2011

Pamela Marshall hugs Obama during the rural economic forum at Northeast Iowa Community College. “We’ll get through this challenge,” Obama said at the community college, before joining a group of break-out sessions. But, he added, “this comeback isn’t going to be driven by Washington.”

Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images

Aug. 16, 2011

Obama waves to people as he walk to Rausch’s Cafe in Guttenberg, Iowa, during his three-day bus tour in the Midwest. Obama stopped at the cafe to have breakfast with five Iowa small-business owners.

Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images

Aug. 16, 2011

Obama greets patrons at Rausch’s Cafe in Guttenberg, Iowa, where he had eggs and toast with small-business owners.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 16, 2011

Obama stops for breakfast with small-business owners at Rausch’s Cafe in Guttenberg, Iowa.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 16, 2011

Obama poses for photos as he greets patrons during a stop for breakfast.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

President Obama greets residents before a town hall meeting at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa.

Charlie Neibergall / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama waves before speaking at a town hall meeting at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa.

Charlie Neibergall / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama speaks during a town hall meeting in Decorah, Iowa, during his three-day bus tour.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama speaks at a town hall meeting at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa.

Charlie Neibergall / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama speaks during a town hall meeting at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa.

Charlie Neibergall / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

People wait outside a gas station to catch a glimpse of Obama's black bus during his three-day tour of the Midwest.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama's bus drives among corn fields as it approaches Decorah, Iowa, during a three-day bus tour.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

Children from public schools in the town of Chatfield, Minn., help Obama stand up after he posed with them for a picture during his three-day bus tour of the Midwest. Obama blasted Republicans over taxes on Monday, the first day of the tour in which he will look to tout his job-creation strategy and distance himself from anger toward Washington that could dent his 2012 reelection hopes. Obama's bus will travel through Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

Jason Reed / Reuters

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama crouches down to look at a little girl's computer screen during a stop at The Coffee Mill Restaurant in Zumbrota, Minn., during his three-day economic bus tour.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama talks with a patron as he visits The Coffee Mill Restaurant in Zumbrota, Minn.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

President Obama runs out to speak at a town hall-style meeting at Lower Hannah's Bend Park in Cannon Falls, Minn. Obama is on a bus tour of Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois, where he is scheduled to speak with people about economic issues.

Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images

Aug. 15, 2011

President Obama fist-bumps with audience members during a town hall-style meeting in Cannon Falls, Minn.

Jason Reed / Reuters

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama speaks in perfect weather at Lower Hannah’s Bend Park, a grassy plain in this one-traffic-light town of 4,000, about an hour’s drive south of St. Paul.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama speaks at Lower Hannah's Bend Park.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama speaks at Lower Hannah's Bend Park in Cannon Falls. The town hall — and several more events in Iowa and Illinois this week — sets the stage for battles over the economy and the budget coming this fall.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama wipes his brow as he speaks at Lower Hannah's Bend Park in Cannon Falls.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama points to a person with a question as he conducts a town hall-style meeting. He called on Congress to pass measures to hire construction workers, a trio of trade bills, an overhaul of patent laws and new tax credits to spur new jobs for veterans.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Aug. 15, 2011

After Cannon Falls, Obama is headed to Decorah, Iowa. On Tuesday, he will host a rural economic forum at Northeastern Iowa Area Community College in Peosta. On Wednesday, he’ll head to western Illinois to host town halls in Atkinson and Alpha.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama speaks in Cannon Falls, Minn. According to local press accounts, Calvin Coolidge was the last president to come to Cannon Falls. The year was 1928.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama shakes hands with supporters after speaking at Lower Hannah's Bend Park.

Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama speaks with deli owner Gary Tournier as he prepares to eat lunch with five post-9/11 Minnesota veterans at the Old Market Deli in Cannon Falls.

Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images

Aug. 15, 2011

President Obama steps aboard a bus upon his arrival at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport in Minnesota. Obama is traveling on a bus tour of Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

Jason Reed / Reuters

Aug. 15, 2011

President Obama, center, walks to his bus as he arrives in Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, where he is to begin his three-day bus tour in the Midwest centering on ways to grow the economy.

Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama greets a child as he arrives in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images

Aug. 15, 2011

Obama arrives at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport.

Jason Reed / Reuters

Aug. 15, 2011

Madison Wood, 3, waits with others for the arrival of President Obama at Lower Hannah's Bend Park in Cannon Falls, Minn. Obama is on a bus tour of Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois where he is scheduled to speak about economic issues at town hall style meetings.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Aug. 15, 2011

People wait for the arrival of President Obama at the Lower Hannah's Bend Park in Cannon Falls, Minn.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Aug. 15, 2011

President Obama waves as he boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., for a three-day bus tour through Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

President Obama boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

President Obama walks with Col. Greg Urtso, vice commander of the 11th Wing, from Marine One to board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

Carolyn Kaster / AP

Aug. 15, 2011

President Obama departs the White House in Washington for a short flight to nearby Andrews Air Force Base, Md., then on to Minnesota, where he begins a three-day bus tour in the Midwest.

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

Featured Photo Galleries

Pranav Sivakumar, 12, of Tower Lakes, Ill., spells his word during the National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Md.

National Spelling Bee, Buckingham Palace garden party, the ‘Soup Nazi’ and more in the day in photos

National Spelling Bee, Buckingham Palace garden party, the “Soup Nazi” and more.

U.S. actress and director Angelina Jolie speaks ahead of a screening of her new film 'In the Land of Blood and Honey' at the Foreign Commonwealth Office in central London, May 29, 2012. Angelina Jolie spoke on the Foreign Secretary's initiative on preventing sexual violence in conflict, ahead of the screening. REUTERS/Pool/Dan Kitwood

Eye on entertainment

Angelina Jolie, will.i.am, Larry Thomas, Nick Jonas, Adam Lambert, Bob Dylan and other celebrities.

Novelist Toni Morrison laughs with U.S. President Barack Obama before being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Toni Morrison; Barack Obama

Obama Honors Medal of Freedom Recipients

President Obama honored a diverse group of political and cultural icons.

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

French Open results: Serena Williams loses, Maria Sharapova cruises

The American tennis star lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

Doc Watson, bluegrass and folk legend, dies at 89

The blind singer and guitarist was a Grammy winner, known for his flat-picking style of guitar playing.

Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

Farm animals attacked in Fairfax

A calf, two goats and a chicken were slashed over the weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.