Story County Democrat Chair of Ames Heads to Des Moines for Obama Visit

When Jan Bauer, Story County Democrat chair, meets someone trying to decide between President Barack Obama or his challenger, Mitt Romney, she pulls out a card detailing Obama's achievements.

Stepping in and preventing the second Great Depression is first on Bauer's list.

“I don't think anyone knows how close we were to financial collapse,” Bauer said on the eve of the President's Des Moines campaign stop.

Bauer credits Obama with rescuing the auto and housing industries, reforming the credit card industry, making college more affordable and her list goes on. She said Obama delivered universal health care, passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay act, restored the nation's reputation in the world, withdrew troops from Iraq and dealt with terrorists and tyrants such as Osama Bin Laden. And those are just some of the highlights of Obama's first term, Bauer said.

When Obama takes the podium in Des Moines this evening Bauer plans to be in the crowd. Both Bauer and Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, also of Ames, were named to the Women for Obama Steering Committee and hope to stress the importance of women's issues during the campaign.

Tonight Obama plans to focus on economic issuesin his speech. According to a press advisory, Obama will cover how far the country has come since he took the oath of office and how to move forward by rebuilding the economy through a secure middle class.

Thursday's event at the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center is open to the public and seating is first come first serve. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Bauer anticipates a crowd of at least 4,000. Bauer said this is Obama's first central Iowa campaign stop. Previous visits have been more presidential.

“This is definitely a campaign stop,” she said.

New campaign volunteers will probably have a chance to shake Obama's hand. Bauer will just stand among the crowd, but if she could talk to Obama she would tell him to work on a plan to take troops out of Afghanistan and to continue to fully fund education and further clean energy alternatives.

“All of these policies are at stake and will be reversed if Romney takes office,” Bauer said adding she just wants Obama to finish the job that he started.

What: Obama Grassroots event in Des Moines

Where: Iowa State Fairgrounds

Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center
3000 E. Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50317

When: Thursday, May 24th
Doors open at 4:30 p.m.