Obama to make student loan appeal in Iowa

[April 25, 2012]  DENVER (AP) -- President Barack Obama is keeping up his election-year appeal to young voters with his third college visit in two days.

After overnighting in Denver, Obama heads Wednesday to the University of Iowa, where he will cast himself as the defender of cheaper student loans. Obama made similar appeals Tuesday at universities in North Carolina and Colorado.

Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney has also endorsed the idea of freezing the interest rates on student loans. The rates will double on July 1 unless Congress acts.

Obama has a clear advantage over Romney with college-age voters, an integral part of his political base. But with recent college graduates facing daunting employment prospects amid the shaky economy, Romney sees a chance to make up some ground with young voters.

[Associated Press; By BEN FELLER]

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