President Obama's whirlwind bus tour stopped in Illinois Wednesday as he continued to talk about his economic policy and job growth. Meanwhile, Republican candidates have been busy bashing his policies.

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The president is slated to hold two town hall meetings in western Illinois before wrapping up his three-day bus tour that the White House insists is "not a campaign blitz."

The tour, which has included stops in Minnesota and Iowa, has given Obama a platform to defend his economic policies.

Republican contenders Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann and Texas Governor Rick Perry are also taking their own bus tours, and they are all talking about the same thing--jobs.

Earlier this week, Obama was facing his lowest approval rating at just 39 percent. Congress polled at a 13 percent approval rating, tied for its worst in history.

All of the candidates, including the president, are now trying to capitalize on the growing distaste for Washington.