Obama Stopping In Illinois On Bus Tour: Hits '08 Campaign Hot Spots

President Obama's bus tour through the Midwest next week will hit southern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa and western Illinois--all states he carried in 2008. The administration has not yet announced specific stops.

Obama is expected to discuss economic growth, strengthening the middle class and accelerating job growth during the three-day tour, which runs from August 15-17, according to an announcement from the administration. The goal of the tour is to engage local families and small business owners.

"The President knows we must do everything we can to promote economic growth, restore confidence in our nation’s future and restore the sense of optimism for future generations," the release said.

The outreach tour comes at a time when the President's approval rating hit an all-time low, 40 percent last week, according to a Gallup poll.