Obama Touts "Economic Patriotism" in Campaign Speech

"I pledge allegiance to the I.R.S. ..."

President Barack Obama called on Thursday for a new "economic patriotism" as he sought to win over military voters in Virginia, a critical state in his bid for re-election.

Obama said it was patriotic to support policies that he said would help middle-income voters, whose support his campaign is targeting in the Nov. 6 election.

"During campaign season you always hear a lot about patriotism. Well, you know what? It's time for a new economic patriotism. An economic patriotism rooted in the belief that growing our economy begins with a strong and thriving middle class," Obama told a crowd of some 7,000 in Virginia Beach, home to several military bases.