COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (KTIV) -
President Obama has visited Iowa four times on 2012. Monday, his fifth trip-- the start of a three-day bus tour of the state-- underscores how important Iowa is to his reelection.
Monday morning's cloudy skies yielded only a few drops of rain for thirsty crops. But, President Barack Obama promised some help of his own as the drought deepens. But, that's only if the House can pass a new farm bill. President Barack Obama says, "Right now, folks here in Iowa, and across the Heartland, are suffering from one of the worst droughts in 50-years."
President Barack Obama says help lies in the new, five-year farm bill. Barack Obama says, "Unfortunately, too many members of Congress are blocking the farm bill." Chief among them, the president says, is Mitt Romney's new running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan. Ryan's in Iowa, this week. President Barack Obama says, "So, if you happen to see Congressman Ryan, tell him how important the farm bill is to Iowa and our rural communities. It's time to put politics aside when it comes to doing the right thing for rural America and for Iowa."
In the meantime, the president announced the government will buy more than $150-million in meat and fish-- to prop up producers-- and give it to food banks and nutrition programs. President Barack Obama says, "America depends on farmers to put food on our tables. America depends on farmers to feed our families. So, we've got to be there for them."
The president says Romney and Ryan's reluctance to support the new farm bill is just one example of the differences between the two parties. President Barack Obama says, "This is a choice between two fundamentally different visions for our country." Romney and Ryan support tax breaks for millionaires, the president says... and the repeal of Obamacare. It's "top-down" thinking, that the president insists won't help the economy. President Barack Obama says, "We do not need more tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, we need tax relief for working families."
The president's plan would freeze taxes on those making less than $250,000, and raise them on those making more.
The president's bus tour of Iowa continues through Wednesday giving him a chance to turn around new polls showing his support slipping in the "Hawkeye state." Rasmussen Reports polled 500 likely Iowa voters over the phone back on August 8th. The poll found 46% supported Mitt Romney, and 44% supported President Obama. The poll was within the 4.5% margin of error.
The president says Romney and Ryan's reluctance to support the new farm bill is just one example of the differences between the two parties.
