The president said Sioux City was the first stop on the road to Charlotte. The Democratic National Convention starts there in North Carolina next week.
The road to the White House also goes through Iowa, a state the president won by nine points four years ago is now a toss-up.
"This is where it all began for us four years ago," said President Barack Obama.
In his first visit to Sioux City since the Iowa caucus that launched Barack Obama's first presidential campaign, he was nostalgic.
"It was in your living rooms and backyards, and VFW Halls where our movement for change began, and it will be you Iowa that's going to make all the difference in the world for this upcoming election," the president told the crowd of 2,800.
On this Labor Day weekend, the President's speech was focused on jobs and the economy.
"Our economic strength has never come from the top down. It comes from the middle out and the bottom up," he pointed out.
Contrasting his record, with his opponent, Mitt Romney, he pounced on Republicans who wrapped up their national convention Thursday.
"They have been trying to sell us these tired, trickle-down you're on your own policies before. They did not work," he said.
When Obama brought up his opponent the crowd booed.
"Don't boo, vote," he instructed.
Introducing the President Saturday, was Rob Hach, a self-called Obama Republican, who says his Alta, Iowa wind energy business would benefit more from the President's renewable energy initiatives.
"Our energy independence depends on a president who will invest in it, who will invest in us, and workers and farmers in rural Iowa, across the state," Hach explained, adding that Iowans, "Vote with their minds, not by party."
"These job aren't fads, they're our future," said Obama referring to wind energy.
Highlighting his efforts on health care, the President showed he's come to embrace the negative name given to his plan.
"They call it Obamacare. I like that name, cause I do care. I care about all the people who are being helped," said the President.
The rally cry in 2008 was change. Now, the president says, it's time to move forward.
"We have come too far to turn back now. That's why I'm asking for your vote," Obama told the crowd to wrap up the 20 minute speech.
On his way to his Sioux City speech at Morningside College, the President made a quick stop to pick up a pepperoni pizza at Bob Roe's Point After.
He also spent a few minutes shooting the breeze with some very surprised customers.
© President Barack Obama speak to voters at Morningside College
