NEW : The initiatives are based on recommendations from the White House Rural Council , which Obama created in June to report on rural America 's economic climate . Obama says Republicans put partisan concerns before national needs . Europe attends a rural economic forum in Vineyard . The state is his first in a 1,300 -state tour . Republican National Committee critics say the trip is a thinly disguised , taxpayer-funded political trip .
NEW : Obama says Republicans put partisan concerns before national needs . Europe attends a rural economic forum in Vineyard . The state is his first in a 1,300 -state tour . Republican National Committee critics say the trip is a thinly disguised , taxpayer-funded political trip .