SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
When Saturday lands so will Air Force One and the president, right here, the runway of 185th Air Refueling Wing. Officials say they've been preparing for days now, tightening security, and handling some of the president's "early arrivals."
"Everything from presidential limos, helicopters, those type of things. A lot of support aircraft bringing equipment in," said Wing Commander Colonel Brian Miller.
The president will be speaking on Hilker Campus Mall at Morningside College. Tickets to see him have run out, after hundreds waited in line for them Thursday morning.
Obama Campaign officials wont give a number of expected attendees, but supporters say it'll be huge.
"I think there will be several thousand that'll show up. That's my guess," said Obama Volunteer Pat Hammerstrom.
School officials say it's the second time an acting president has visited the Morningside campus.
"George Bush Sr., when he was president, was on campus a few years ago. He was the first president to my knowledge," said Morningside College's Vice President of Communications Rick Wollman.
Students are seeing a lot, from stage set up, to suits...
"I saw secret service men. It was kind of like in the movies. They were wearing their all black and their sunglasses. I never thought that in real life, you know, it'd be like the movies," said Student Allison Kjar.
"I just think it's really cool, because we are such a small school. It's kind of random for him to come here, but it's really awesome," said another Student Alex Howrey.
Local Democrats have called all the interest in the president's visit a sign of their party's pull in this year's election. Iowa Republicans say think again.
"One in 10 Democrats have left the party since 2008 when Barack Obama assumed leadership. That's what you can expect after four years of failed policies," said Communications Director for the Republican National Committee in Iowa Tom Szold.
The president is scheduled to begin speaking on the Hilker Campus Mall at Morningside College Saturday night at 6:30. The gates will open at 4:30.
