White House crafting Obama's midterm election pitch around the economy

The driving theory in the White House is that this election, like every one since the 2007 recession, is foremost about the economy. Mr. Obama already has been drawing contrasts between his economic program and that of Republicans, and he is preparing additional executive actions over the next month relating to infrastructure projects and job training to bolster his argument, aides said.

Other unilateral actions will be rolled out later this year, including possible moves to energize Latinos and gay-rights supporters. A June conference on “working families” will highlight the struggle of many women to care for their families. “The argument around the women’s economic agenda will be a big argument we make for the balance of the year,” one senior Obama aide said.

Democrats have already essentially ruled out presidential campaign stops for senators seeking re-election in Arkansas and Alaska, where Mr. Obama’s job ratings are low and his appearance could energize his opponents. Democrats anticipate he will stump for his party’s gubernatorial candidates in Florida and Pennsylvania.

One senior administration official said a campaign stop in Louisiana, which has a large number of black voters, may be put on the books this fall, depending on the state of the Senate race there. Mr. Obama’s campaign schedule isn’t expected to markedly pick up pace until after Labor Day.