Obama visits Iowa City bookstore mentioned in speech, spends $37 on kids’ books

Obama mentions bookstore in speech, then visits

IOWA CITY, Iowa — After mentioning an Iowa City bookstore in his health care speech Thursday, President Barack Obama stuck his head in and spent $37 on kids’ books.

Obama said the Prairie Lights bookstore would benefit from his health care overhaul. He said the store has offered coverage to its full-time employees for the past 20 years, but that its premiums shot up by 35 percent last year.

The president bought two books for his daughters, 11-year-old Malia and 8-year-old Sasha.

He also paid for a “Star Wars” pop-up book for the 6-year-old son of White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.

Obama said “I can handle it” when the cashier announced the $37.44 total. He paid with cash.