after these midterm elections. today, the same question posed toward robert gibbs, a totally different response. here's what he had to say. >> i think our candidates have done a remarkably good job in a tough political environment. and i think that come election night, we'll retain control of both the house and the senate. >> you believe that? >> i do believe that. >> reporter: let's accentuate the positive. to that end, today something we haven't seen in two years, thomas, first lady michelle obama joining president obama on the hostings. they will be in columbus, ohio, a big rally on the campus of ohio state university this evening. before that they'll be in cleveland raising money for the party, raising money for the governor there, the democratic incumbent, ted strickland, who's in a lot of trouble there as he faces a stiff challenge from a republican. the president has a lot of other travel on his plate. late in the week he has a big west coast swing. washington state, oregon,