NEW YORK (AP) — Blending governing with re-election politics, President Barack Obama roused a cheering northeast Pennsylvania crowd Wednesday as he warned of a "massive blow to the economy" if Republicans block a payroll tax extension.

But hours later, addressing donors in New York, he toned his rhetoric down and declared progress was possible.

Obama took to the road with a dual pitch for money, campaigning for more cash in the pockets of U.S. workers — and for his campaign treasury as well.

He pressed his case at a campaign-style rally in working-class Scranton, Pa., where he said Republicans had to choose between lower taxes for the wealthy, or a payroll tax cut that would help working Americans. Republicans say they would support extending the payroll tax cut, but reject new taxes to offset the costs.