Obama Midwest Visit: President To Make Economic Pitch In Illinois, Missouri

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WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama will make stops in Illinois and Missouri next week to draw attention to the economy and to measures he argues will help step up the recovery.

The White House says Obama will travel Wednesday to Galesburg, Ill., and Warrensburg, Mo., to make his case for spending on infrastructure and for universal pre-school programs. Obama is also expected to highlight the economic benefits of overhauling immigration laws.

Both stops are in rural communities that have seen party switches in their congressional representation within the past three years – one to Democrat and the other Republican.

The day-trip comes during a high point for the White House, a week after the Senate gave Obama a significant victory by approving several stalled administration nominations.

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Rays Have Python Visit Clubhouse (VIDEO)

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay's latest addition is slow and methodical, but has great length and presents all sorts of matchup problems for opponents.

Rays manager Joe Maddon had a 20-foot python brought to the clubhouse before Thursday night's game against Seattle.

"In doing our research, my personal research, 2013 happens to be the year of the snake on the Chinese calendar," Maddon said. "I kind of like that thought. We needed a little bit of motivation within the clubhouse. And then further more you find out that it's representative of risk taking and creative thinking. I thought it fit in perfectly with what we're trying to do around here."

Maddon and closer Fernando Rodney were among those who picked up the snake. Others stayed as far away as possible.

"It was more about the facial, the visual reaction that's even better than whether they say no," Maddon said. "Come hold that snake, and you get that look like no way. That was kind of cool."

Maddon also welcomed a pair of penguins, a magician and a disc jockey to the clubhouse earlier this season.

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