Reporters travelling with President Obama are sharing some material from his journey down the highways and byways of Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. Here's an example of "pool" coverage shared among media from this morning, by a reporter from the Dubuque Telegraph Herald. This is in story form; material yesterday from one of the pool reporters was more in the form of notes.
None of this made it into our coverage today, I'm sure.
GUTTENBERG, Iowa - The Mississippi River sparkled in the sunlight as the presidential motorcade drove past some of the scenic overlooks – filled with people waiting for a glimpse of the president - and into this small river town this morning.
The buses, vans and ambulance in the procession, about 20 in number, pulled off the main road and up to Rauch Petroleum and Rauch’s Café around 10:15 a.m.
President Obama stopped outside the small café to greet a small group of about 20 people. He asked those gathered how they were enjoying their summers and made his way inside the restaurant.
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"I shook hands with the president!" exclaimed John DeMuth, a native of Guttenberg, after the president walked away.
DeMuth, a military veteran, said he was honored to shake the president’s hand.
"I voted for him," he added.
Inside the café, which was fittingly adorned with a small tree decorated in American flags and red, white and blue lights, the president greeted the diners. A crock pot with soup bubbled near the main counter.
Obama pulled up a chair at a table with a group of six eastern Iowa small business owners to discuss the area economy. The president ordered a plate of eggs and toast.
After the meal, the presidential bus pulled along side the building, standing nearly as tall as the restaurant.
In an interview with members of the press following the president's stop, White House press secretary Jay Carney said the purpose of the president’s trip is to listen and interact with people in the area.
The focus on rural economies is because they are a "vital part of the overall economy," said Carney, who said some specific proposals on rural job creation will be discussed at the forum in Peosta this afternoon.
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The presidential motorcade went through Dyersville around 11:30 a.m., passing streets lined with people. Some cheered and waved flags, and some held up signs opposing abortion.
