Bloomberg News | President Barack Obama said his economic policies are designed for a long-term effect and there remain some immediate hurdles for the U.S., including restoring the millions of jobs lost during the recession.

“The challenges the economy faces are still great and they’re not going to go away tomorrow or the next day,” Obama said to a group of voters in the backyard of a home in Des Moines, Iowa, the third stop of a four-state trip.

Obama combined a defense of his plans with criticism of Republican proposals as he and Democrats are gearing up for the November congressional elections.

He said “tough choices” still need to be made on taxes and the budget in the months ahead.