In the year-long battle for health care reform, President Barack Obama has lobbied, compromised, implored, and negotiated with members of Congress, getting mixed results.

So this week, as crucial votes in the House of Representatives loom, Obama is using the most powerful weapon in his arsenal-- his ability to speak directly to people -- to get the final push he needs to make health care reform a reality.

In a seniors' recreation center in Strongsville, Ohio, outside of Cleveland, Obama got personal with the audience, telling the story of how a self-employed wash woman named Natoma Canfield was being financially battered with spiraling health care costs and a recent cancer diagnosis.

Obama told the crowd he was in Ohio for Canfield and others in her situation.

Inside the seniors' center, the personal story seemed to connect with listeners as Obama drew loud applause and shouts of support. He added that charges that his plan will force cuts in Medicare were false. Outside the center, though, protesters continued their drumbeat against reform.

Whether Obama's personal popularity will be enough to carry health care reform to fruition will depend on the votes of Democratic members of Congress, who face election battles of their own this fall and fear that a yes vote on reform will doom their reelection bids.

Obama needs to be at his best in the week, leading up to the House vote. Democrats acknowledge that as of Monday morning, they didn't have enough votes to pass health care reform.