Obama visits rural Midwest to launch midterm election efforts

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In Iowa, Obama touts wind energy, stimulus help

President Barack Obama returned Tuesday to Iowa, the state that jumpstarted his presidential campaign, with a message he hopes will resonate with voters this fall: the economic recovery hasn't reached everyone, but progress is being made. (April 27)

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He ended the day in Ottumwa, shedding his jacket and rolling up his sleeves to answer questions on immigration reform, the state of manufacturing in America, his commitment to organized labor and, from a fifth-grader, what kind of pie he ate earlier in the day.

Obama joked with the college basketball team, telling one player that "if your question is whether I can beat you at HORSE, the answer is yes."

But he also referred to the Senate's second-straight vote blocking debate on the financial reform bill to urge its passage. He received a sustained ovation when he pledged not to let the legislation "fall victim" to industry-financed lobbying.

On Wednesday, Obama will tour a biofuel refinery and a farm in Missouri, where he is expected to be joined by Senate candidate Robin Carnahan (D). Obama is scheduled to conclude the trip with a speech in Quincy, Ill., on what he is calling "Wall Street reform."

"I think he knew that he was well supported in Iowa," said Donald Bailey, 51, who lost his job with a survey company 18 months ago and has not found employment. "Now he's trying to get the financial regulation bill, and maybe he needs a little support from his supporters."

Staff writer Sandhya Somashekhar contributed to this report.