Yesterday, President Barack Hussein Obama spoke at Alco Davenport Works, an aluminum factory in Bettendorf, Iowa. Before a captive crowd of factory workers, after years of apologizing for America’s mistakes to anybody who would listen, he’s turned into a nephew of Uncle Sam, during his re-election bid.

The Iowa visit was meant as a distraction from the recent surge in unemployment, which brought the jobless rate back up to 9.1 percent. The new numbers will be released on July 8th.

In his speech , Obama told the workers that innovation and adaptation will help the manufacturing sector and the entire U.S. economy rebound with more gusto. He also scolded a divided Washington to stop bickering and rally together like a team.

Pot…meet kettle.

Iowa being the home of the first presidential caucuses, Obama was sure to make an allusion to his re-election bid. Reminiscing about his win here in 2008, Obama said:

We’ve got some history together. And together we’re going to make some more history for years to come.

Make no mistake, Obama is under fire from all corners because of his horrible economic policy. Hope is diminishing and people don’t even have any change anymore.

The strategy of Obama and his advisers is to focus attention on American manufacturing as an example of American business making a comeback. That’s why he chose the setting of Alcoa Davenport Works. The aluminum for the wings of the presidential jet Air Force One.

According to the president, the plant has re-hired the workers it laid off during the recent recession and is eying an expansion ,and is an example of American resilience. Obama told the workers:

You had to up your game. And that’s what we’ve got to do as a country as a whole. I want the cars and planes and wind turbines of the future to bear the proud stamp that says ‘Made in America.’

The president said that the country has the workers, companies and industries to mount a stronger economic recovery:

We are still the United States of America.

The White House believes that an upsurge in the U.S. manufacturing industry will create jobs and keep America competitive in the global marketplace. So, Last week, Obama unveiled a $500 million joint effort by industry, universities and the federal government in an effort reposition the United States as a leader in cutting-edge manufacturing.

When Obama referred to a divided Washington, he was alluding to the fight he and his party is waging with the Republicans over raising America’s debt limit. According to Obama and his administration, the debt limit must be raised by Aug. 2 or the government will face a catastrophic default on its obligations.

The president did not specifically bring up the debt limit battle, but instead called on the country and its leaders to start

…thinking like a team, instead of turning on each other.

I promise you. if you we continue to adapt and we continue to innovate and we work together to compete around the world, America will come back stronger than before.

Of course, Obama’s appearance in Iowa just happens to be coinciding with the visits of Republicans seeking their party’s presidential nomination and criticizing his economic leadership.

According to Matt Strawn, the chairman of the Iowa Republican Party, that’s not a surprise:

There’s a famous political saying that ‘no politician comes to Iowa by accident.’ I’m sure part of this is a political calculation.

A few miles away from the site of the president’s speech, in the small town of Pella,Iowa,  former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin attended the premiere of the Roger Bannon Documentary about her, The Undefeated.

On Fox News last night, during the Greta Van Susteren show, On the Record, reporter Griff Jenkins interviewed Gov. Palin . Here is an excerpt:

JENKINS: I spoke to a veteran, and he told me that he needs you to get into the presidential race. Will you answer his request?

PALIN: I appreciate his request and encouragement. I know what he’s talking about. He’s talking about someone who encapsulates American values and is understanding of the need to protect our constitution and the people like our veterans.

It is a tough decision, a big decision to decide whether to run for office or not. I’m still contemplating. I can’t say enough about a veteran and somebody who poses a question like that coming from a veteran.

JENKINS: Your daughter Bristol said you made a decision. Can you tell us what it is?

PALIN: I texted her and said, “Honey what did you say this morning on a news program?” She said mom you have to watch. You know how they make everything out of context. I said you remember: “What we say on the fishing boat stays on the fishing boat.”

JENKINS: She said you definitely made a decision.

PALIN: I’m still thinking about the decision. A lot goes into such a life changing decision. So I’m still thinking about it.

So, “no politician comes to Iowa by accident”?  Hmmmm.