DES MOINES - Obama for America released a new video today featuring Vice President Joe Biden discussing how he and President Obama work every day to provide people with dignified opportunity to care for themselves and their families.

Since day one, President Obama and Vice President Biden have advanced policies and programs that help American families, working in partnership with faith-based and community organizations, including Catholic non-profits like Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief Services, to serve those in need. From fighting for health insurance reform so no family has to go bankrupt just because a family member gets sick, to supporting tax reform in which everyone pays their fair share, to ensuring every child has access to a good education, President Obama and Vice President Biden believe that we are our brothers and sisters' keepers. They strongly believe that looking out for all Americans is part of what defines us as a nation.

And as Vice President Biden made clear during the Vice Presidential debate, both he and President Obama believe there is no conflict between standing up for women's health and respecting religious liberty, and they are committed to upholding both principles. Meanwhile, Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan are wrong to use this core constitutional principle as a political football.  Religious liberty is not a Democratic or Republican idea - it's an American idea, and it always has been.

To view the video please click HERE. And for more information, please visit catholics.barackobama.com.

DES MOINES-- In a close election, Obama for America - Iowa continues to rely on its grassroots operation to carry the President across the finish line. That's why supporters across the state will gather again tonight to watch President Obama lay out the clear choice in this election at the last presidential debate of the campaign. In continuing to use the debates as an opportunity to bring supporters together, Obama for America - Iowa is hosting 67 watch parties in neighborhoods across the state. OFA's supporters are continuing to use the debates to engage their family and friends on the choice in this election between two visions for our country: one that moves us forward with an economy built from the middle-out or one that moves us backwards with an economy that writes off our middle-class and returns to the same failed top-down economics of the last decade.  Iowa's early vote started on September 27^th and ends November 5^th.

To attend a watch party in Iowa, please review the information below:

Monday, October 22, 2012

8:00PM CST

Des Moines Debate Watch Party

WHERE: Cooney's Tavern

3708 Beaver Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50310

Cedar Rapids Debate Watch Party

WHERE: OFA-IA Cedar Rapids Office

2857 Mt. Vernon Rd SE.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Iowa City Debate Watch Party

WHERE: OFA-IA Iowa City Office

321 Market St, Suite 106

Iowa City, IA

Sioux City Debate Watch Party

WHERE: OFA-IA Sioux City Office

4106 Morningside Ave

Sioux City, IA

Council Bluffs Debate Watch Party

WHERE: OFA-IA Council Bluffs Office

1851 Madison Ave, Suite 200

Council Bluffs, IA

Waterloo Debate Watch Party

WHERE: 220 East (Art Gallery)

220 E. 4th St.

Waterloo, IA

Mason City Debate Watch Party

WHERE: OFA-IA Mason City Office

219 North Federal

Mason City, IA

Ames Debate Watch Party

WHERE: OFA-IA Ames Office

413 Northwestern Ave #103

Ames, IA

Burlington Debate Watch Party

WHERE: OFA-IA Burlington Office

900 Osborn St

Burlington, IA

Davenport Debate Watch Party and Sign Making Party

WHEN: 7:00 PM

WHERE: OFA-IA Davenport Office

1706 Brady Street, Suite 205

Davenport, IA

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CHICAGO–Obama for America announced today that President Obama will travel to Iowa, Ohio, New Hampshire and New York next week, following the second presidential debate.  On Wednesday, October 17, President Obama will campaign in Cedar Rapids, IA and in Athens, OH, and in Manchester, NH on Thursday, October 18. Also on Thursday, President Obama will deliver remarks at the 67th Annual Alfred. E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York City.

Details on the President`s events in Iowa, Ohio, New Hampshire and New York City are forthcoming.

On Friday, President Obama sent a letter (attached) to farm groups about the drought and his disappointment that Mitt Romney's running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan, is leading the House blockage of a bipartisan farm bill.

The President wrote about the need to strengthen the farm safety net, extend disaster assistance and expand crop insurance.  It was sent to the Wheat Growers, American Soybean Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Corn Growers, National Farm Bureau and National Farmers Union.

Since June, the Obama campaign has been working with the Rural Iowans for Obama Council to talk about the President's plans for keeping rural America and U.S. agriculture moving forward and the need to hold Mitt Romney accountable in rural communities across the state.  Please see below and learn more at www.barackobama.com/rural-americans

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack Announces the Rural Iowans for Obama Steering Committee

DES MOINES - Today, former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack announced the members of the Rural Iowans for Obama Steering Committee.  Two members of the Rural Steering Committee, Bruce Rohwer, a corn farmer from Northwest Iowa and member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and Cathy Lafrenz a small business owner, who runs Miss Effie's Country Flowers from rural Scott County joined Mr. Vilsack on the call.

The Rural Iowans for Obama Steering Committee is a groundbreaking organizing operation in rural communities. The campaign will have the largest presence and largest ground game in rural Iowa that any President candidate has ever had in the state of Iowa.

This group will work to promote the President's strong record of supporting rural America and our nation's small businesses, farmers, working families and students by creating rural economies built to last and rewarding small town values like hard work and fairness. This group will also draw a contrast between the President's strong record supporting rural communities and Mitt Romney's out of touch view of the issues that matter most to rural communities.

"Iowa's rural towns represent the value of family and community," Vilsack said.  "Iowa is a place that--with hard work and determination--can provide a bright future for you, and a brighter one for your children."  He continued, "I'm proud to join my fellow Iowans in supporting President Obama and his vision for rural America.  I know he and Vice President Biden will always support the promise and value of rural America."

Obama for America Iowa also announced the Iowa Grown tour highlighting the strength of our rural communities and President Obama's plans to continue to support growing our small town economies.  Rural Steering Committee members will hold roundtables with rural Iowans over the next few months.  The first roundtables will be held next week in Carroll, Fort Dodge, Adel and Indianola.

"I am proud to join the Rural Iowans for Obama Steering Committee because under this President, Iowa farmers are seeing unprecedented prosperity," said Rohwer. "Under President Obama, Iowa farmers are seeing record farm income, record agricultural exports and the growth of renewable energy industries for wind and biofuels that are revitalizing small towns across Iowa."

The Steering Committee is comprised of a diverse group of men and women, both young and old, with experience in a range of fields from farming and business, to education and health care.

"Today, not all Iowans are farmers or live in rural America, but Iowans identify with the values our small towns and rural communities. That's why today we're excited to launch Rural Iowans for Obama," said Lafrenz. "I am a small business owner who chose to start a business in rural Iowa. We have seen tremendous growth and we're celebrating our 10^th anniversary in business. Small businesses are a vital part of revitalizing Iowa's rural communities."

The members of the Rural Steering Committee include :

·         Aaron Lehman, Polk City: Sixth generation farmer with a corn, soybean, and hay operation.

·         Bill Gannon, Mingo: Former Iowa legislator and corn and soybean farmer from Jasper County.

·         Bruce Rohwer, Paullina: Corn farmer from Northwest Iowa and a member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association.

·         Cathy Lafrenz, Donahue: Small business owner in rural Scott County, running Miss Effie's Country Flowers.

·         Chris Petersen, Clear Lake: President of the Iowa Farmers Union and runs a family farm operation near Clear Lake.

·         Dillon Thiner, Graettinger: Student at Simpson College and past member of Future Farmers of America. 

·         Gary Lamb, Chelsea: Long-time diversified farmer in Tama County.

·         Helen Miller, Ft. Dodge: Representative Miller has served in the Iowa House since 2003 and is the Ranking Member on the House Agriculture Committee.

·         Jack Kibbie, Emmetsburg: Retiring President of the Iowa Senate and cattleman from Palo Alto County.

·         Jake Krapfl, New Vienna: Grew up on a farm, Iraq War veteran and writing instructor at Northeast Iowa Community College.

·         Jennifer Herrington, Clarinda: Mental health professional, Page County Democrat Chair and Neighborhood Team Leader for OFA-Iowa.

·         Jennifer Steffen, Birmingham: Corn, cattle, and soybean farmer in Southeastern Iowa and has served on the State Soil Conversation Committee.

·         Kevin Middleswart, Indianola: Former Warren County Supervisor and an Iowa Farm Bureau member who operates a diversified farm producing corn, soybeans, cattle, and timber.

·         Matt Russell, Lacona: State food policy project coordinator at Drake University Law School and raises sustainably-grown foods on the 110-acre Coyote Run Farm in Warren County.

·         Morgan Hoenig, Mt. Pleasant: Young entrepreneur operating MoGo Organic, which produces fresh produce in Henry County.

·         Neil Hamilton, Waukee: Directs the Agricultural Law Center at Drake University Law School.

·         Dr. Neil E. Harl, Ames: Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Emeritus Professor of Economics at Iowa State University.

·         Patty Judge, Des Moines: Former Lt. Governor and Iowa's first woman Secretary of Agriculture, ran a cow-calf operation in Albia

·         Rob Hach, Alta: CEO of Anemometry, a wind turbine installation company headquartered in Alta. The company was selected as SBA's Iowa 2010 Small Business Persons of the Year Award winner.

·         Sharon Ambrose, Walnut: Teaches at Atlantic Elementary School and is a rural Neighborhood Team Leader for OFA-Iowa.

·         Warren Woods, Creston: Serving as Mayor of Creston since 2008.