Iowa


Visits by Obama/Biden
updated August 16, 2011
2011
>President Barack Obama visited Iowa on August 15-16, 2011, as part of a three-day economic bus tour in the Midwest  On August 15 he hosted a town hall at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah; and overnighted at the Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah.  On August 16 he had breakfast with small business owners at Rausch's Cafe in Guttenberg; he and members of his Cabinet hosted a White House Rural Economic Forum at Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta; and following the forum he made several OTR stops: Maquoketa High School in Maquoketa, DeWitt Dairy Treats in DeWitt, Grasshoppers (antique and wine shop) in LeClaire, and Kernel Cody's Popcorn Shoppe in LeClaire before overighting in Davenport.
 
>President Barack Obama visited Iowa on June 28, 2011.  After arriving on Air Force One at Quad City International Airport in Moline, IL, he proceeded to Bettendorf, making an unannounced stop at Ross' Restaurant (home of the "Magic Mountain"), then touring the Alcoa Davenport Works in Bettendorf and speaking on manufacturing.

>First Lady Michelle Obama delivered the commencement address at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa on May 7, 2011. (first trip to Iowa since the 2008 campaign)

2010
>Vice President Joe Biden led a rally for Rep. Bruce Braley at Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa on October 29, 2010.

>Vice President Joe Biden visited Des Moines, Iowa on October 12, 2010.  He made an unscheduled stop at Java Joes CoffeeHouse; and spoke at a mid-day fundraiser for Rep. Leonard Boswell at the Hotel Fort Des Moines.

>President Barack Obama visited Iowa on September 28-29, 2010.  On the evening of September 28 he arrived on Air Force One at Des Moines Air National Guard Base, and stopped for less than half an hour at Baby Boomer's Cafe "to visit with some friends and supporters."  On the morning of September 29 he held a backyard discussion at the home of Jeff Clubb and Sandy Hatfield Clubb in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines; and departed from Des Moines Air National Guard base around noon.

>Vice President Joe Biden campaigned with Gov. Chet Culver in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on May 18, 2010.  He spoke at a rally for Culver at Greene Square Park; afterwards he and Culver had lunch with four area residents at the Blue Strawberry Coffee Company.

>President Barack Obama visited Southeast Iowa on April 27, 2010 as part of his "White House to Main Street" tour.  He arrived at Quincy Regional Airport in Quincy, IL, then proceeded via helicopter to Keokuk Municipal Airport.  Obama toured and spoke at the Siemens Wind Turbine Blade Manufacturing Plant in Fort Madison; made an unscheduled stop and toured the Mogoorganic organic farm near Mt. Pleasant, with Secretary Vilsack; made a surprise visit to Jerry's Family Restaurant in Mt. Pleasant, where he had a piece of rhubarb pie and coffee; and hosted a town hall meeting at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa.
 
>President Barack Obama visited Iowa City, Iowa on March 25, 2010.  After arriving at Cedar Rapids, he proceeded to Iowa City where he made a speech on health insurance reform at the University of Iowa Field House.  [Obama first announced his health care plan in Iowa City in May 2007].  On his way to the airport, Obama made a surprise visit to Prairie Lights, an independent bookstore in Iowa City, where he bought a couple of books for his daughter as well as a book for Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' son.

2009
>Vice President Joe Biden was the featured speaker at the Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines, Iowa on Nov. 21, 2009.

>Marking Earth Day, President Barack Obama visited Newton, Iowa on April 22, 2009; this was his first visit to the state as President.  After arriving at Des Moines International Airport, he proceeded to Newton where he toured Trinity Structural Towers, the former Maytag appliance factory, and spoke on clean energy.