OSKALOOSA, Iowa - It's official: The infamous tale of Seamus the dog is now fodder for the campaign trail.

President Obama finally went there today, teasing Mitt Romney for famously putting the family dog on the roof of his car as the president blasted his opponent's energy policy.

Touting the job-creating potential of wind energy in Iowa, the president criticized Romney for saying, "You can't drive a car with a windmill on it."

"Now," the president said chuckling. "I don't know if he's actually tried that. I know he's had other things on his car."

In 1983, Mitt Romney strapped Irish setter Seamus to the roof of his station wagon as his young family drove from Boston to Ontario.

In response, the Romney campaign said the president "continues to embarrass himself and diminish his office with his un-presidential behavior."

"This election is about creating jobs, turning around our economy and helping the middle class. The President's policies have failed on all counts and he will do anything to distract from his abysmal record," Romney spokesman Ryan Williams said in a written statement.

The jab from Obama came as he outlined the stark contrast between his support for wind energy and the view of the presumed GOP nominee, who is spending the day campaigning in coal country.

"Gov. Romney said, let's end the tax credits for wind energy production. Let's get rid of them. He said that new sources of energy, like wind, are imaginary. His running mate calls them a fad," Obama said before a backdrop of Americana at the picturesque Nelson Pioneer Farm and Museum.

The president, who is pushing Congress to extend a production tax credit for wind energy companies, said the wind industry supported 75,000 jobs across the country.

"These jobs aren't a fad. These are good jobs. And they're a source of pride that we need to fight for," he said.

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Reacting to the president's Seamus comment, the Romney campaign says the president continues to diminish the office with his "un-presidential behavior." "After sanctimoniously complaining about making a 'big election about small things' President Obama continues to embarrass himself and diminish his office with his un-presidential behavior. This election is about creating jobs, turning around our economy and helping the middle class. The President's policies have failed on all counts and he will do anything to distract from his abysmal record."