three-day bus tour through that state and north carolina to push his jobs bill. those swing states are pivotal to his reelection. the white house says this trip is not political, but the president is using a tour to scold republicans for opposing his bill. president obama is acknowledging the uphill reelection battle he faces because of the sluggish economy. >> i guarantee it's going to be a close election because the fact is that the economy's not where it wants to be. and even though i believe that all the choices we've made have been the right ones, we're still going through difficult circumstances. and that means people who may be sympathetic to my point of view still kind of feel like, yeah, but it hasn't gotten done yet. >> i'm joined by the director of the white house domestic policy council. melanie, thanks for joining us. >> thanks so much, veronica, it's a pleasure to be with you. >> of course. you're from virginia. you know this state well. what do voters, melody, need to