President Barack Obama is making his way through Iowa, campaigning for three days across the state. Tuesday he made stops in Oskaloosa, Marshalltown and Waterloo. On Wednesday he will be in Dubuque and then in Davenport.
However, the race for the White House also brought Republican Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan to Iowa Tuesday as well. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney and Vice President Joe Biden have also made stops in the Quad Cities this year. While there's no doubt the people of the Quad Cities are very lucky to see candidates up close and personal, local political experts said that's because Iowa in general is a toss up state that could go either way. This area in particular also has a lot of reach, with Illinois just across the river.
"There's no path to the White House that doesn't include the Quad Cities," Obama Delegate Porter McNeil said.
"We have two states, both Iowa and Illinois," said Carol Carin, Vice Chair for the Scott County Republicans.
Local political experts like McNeil and Carin, said year after year, candidates make a point to stop in Scott county, not only because of it's location but also because of it's size.
"We are the third largest county in the state of Iowa," said Tom Engelmann, Treasurer for the Scott County Democrats.
In President Obama's case, Scott county also provided him with results during the caucus.
"We did the best at caucus for the President," Engelmann said.
However, there are still a lot of undecided voters and that's another reason why both parties have been "dropping in" for a visit.
"As long as the polls show this state is close, we will see the Romney campaign and Obama campaign coming here, the bus tour and grass roots events are a great way to energize support and create enthusiasm," McNeil said.
Experts said both Mitt Romney and the President will need that enthusiasm come November.
"Even though we only have 6 electoral votes, they may the difference this time around," Carin said.
Another thing that the Obama campaign may think could be the difference is the First Lady. She will be joining the President on his stops in Dubuque and Davenport. This is a rare occasion because she has only campaigned with her husband a couple of times this year. However, experts said it's a strategic move to help win over voters.
"They obviously feel Michelle appeals to a lot of people, which she does, I know I've had a lot of people tell me they really like Michelle Obama," Engalmann said.
"She's a very effective campaigner on her own and as a couple I think they project a positive image," Porter said.
The First Couple will be speaking at 5:25 p.m. in the Village of East Davenport on Wednesday. The public does need a ticket to attend. The Scott County Republicans will also be having their own event that day at 3:00 p.m. in the parking lot of their office located on West Kimberly road. A Romney bus will be there, and Congressional candidate John Archer will be speaking.
Crowd of about 3,000 greets Pres. and Michelle Obama In The E. Village of Davenport.
