Obamas and Bidens greet supporters in a rally in front of Jessup Hall in Downtown Iowa City on Friday, September 7.

IOWA CITY, September 7, 2012

President Obama addressed a crowd of about 8,000 people in Iowa City on Friday afternoon, repeating many of the themes and one-liners from his speech Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention.

“I honestly believe this is the clearest choice we’ve had in my lifetime,” he said of the upcoming election. “… It’s a choice between two fundamentally different visions of our future.”

He focused on his policies for revitalizing the middle class, investing in renewable energy, keeping education affordable, and creating new jobs. He touched on his support for women’s right to choose as well as same-sex marriage.

The crowd was upbeat during the speech, despite the rain earlier in the afternoon, and repeatedly chanted “Four more years.”

“I believe in a lot of things he has to say,” said Cassidy Bringle ’14. “The whole abortion issue, and gay rights.”

Tickets were available through social studies teacher John Burkle and many students attended the event. The majority of the crowd, however, appeared to be University of Iowa students.

“I want him…to continue to make sure the middle class people have an equal opportunity in this society.” said Iowa sophomore Joey Fan, who is from Singapore. “Also I would love to hear Michelle speak.”

Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden were in attendance, but did not speak; Vice President Joe Biden introduced the President. All four greeted the crowd at the end of the event, shaking hands and hugging lucky crowd members.

“It was definitely worth the wait,” said Talbot Morris-Downing ’14. “It was interesting to think that last night he was in North Carolina. And now he’s here.”