>> reporter: that timetable seems to be moving up. as the president today reacted to positive jobs numbers by holding what sounded like a rally at a new federal agency that is helping to position him as a fighter for the middle class. >> we're moving in the right direction. i would urge congress to make sure they stay on top of their jobs to make sure that everybody else is able to enjoy hopefully an even more robust recovery in 2012. >> reporter: note the reference to recovery in the election year. reinforced when he then sat down with four campaign supporters who won a raffle for lunch with the president. throw in the fact that administration officials confirm mr. obama will propose a panth% pay increase for federal employees. after initially pushing a two-year pay freeze. republicans see a president already trying to line up votes. >> he is always in campaign mode. if there is one thing that he does well, it's raise money in campaign. >> white house aides see it as the president simply flexing his executive mulsals to help