Obama Comes to Tampa Thursday

President Barack Obama kicks off a two-day whirlwind campaign tour this Wednesday with stops in six battleground states, including one in Tampa.

Dubbed the “America Forward!” tour, the campaign blitz is designed to help the president reach “as many voters as possible about the critical choice in this election -- moving America forward toward an economy built to last with a strong middle class versus going back to the same policies that crashed our economy in the first place,” a campaign media release states.

The tour starts in Iowa on Oct. 24 and includes rallies in Denver and Las Vegas that day. On Thursday, Obama will appear in Tampa before making stops in other states.

The Tampa event is described as a “grassroots rally.” The campaign has released no other details about the appearance here, but says they are forthcoming.

It is unclear at this point if tickets will be available for the Tampa rally or if it will be a private event. The campaign also has not released a location for the rally.

The President's visit comes on the heels of The Tampa Tribune's endorsement of challenger Gov. Mitt Romney for president.

"President Obama may have good intentions, but he is simply taking the nation in the wrong direction," the newspaper's editorial board wrote. "Seasoned executive Romney would come to office ready to put the country on the course to more freedom and prosperity."

The Tampa Bay Times, however, has officially endorsed President Obama.

"We wish the economic recovery was more vigorous, and we would like the president to present a sharper vision for a second term," the Times editorial board wrote in its endorsement. "But Obama has capably steered the nation through an incredibly difficult period at home and abroad, often with little help from Congress. The next four years will not be easy for whoever occupies the Oval Office, but Obama has been tested by harsh circumstance and proven himself worthy of a second term."

What do you think about the endorsements? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Stay with Patch for details on the President's visit as they become available.