President Obama, Paul Ryan, make final pleas to Iowa Voters

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Credit Clay Masters / IPR

20,000 people lined Locust street on Des Moines Monday night to hear President Obama's final speech in his campaign.

After a long and contentious presidential election season, the candidates made their closing arguments Monday. Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan made his last visit to Iowa on behalf of Mitt Romney. And President Barack Obama held the final campaign event  of his political career in Des Moines.

While both men were still trying to drum up every last vote in a close election, they were also here to thank the voters who by now, have grown used to their constant visits.

"The hospitality that Iowans have shown this Wisconsinite, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart," Ryan said. "I want to thank you so much."

President Obama also thanked Iowans – reminding the crowd of around 20,000 that Iowa is where it all began. He told the crowd that is why he wanted to finish his campaign here — to place his presidency back into the hands of those who first made his journey possible.

"And Iowa, after all of the months of campaigning, after all the rallies, after the millions of dollars of ads, it all comes down you. It’s out of my hands now, it’s in yours," he said.

As for what voters decide, in Iowa and across the nation, that will have to wait for later Tuesday.