President Barack Obama assailed critics of his health care initiative Saturday, seeking to grab the megaphone from his opponents and boost momentum in his drive to get Congress to approve his chief domestic priority.

"I will not accept the status quo as a solution. Not this time. Not now," the president told more than 10,000 people during a rally that had every feel of a campaign event.

He said he wouldn't waste time with people who have decided "that it's better politics to kill this plan than improve it." He said he wouldn't stand by while special interests "use the same old tactics to keep things exactly the way they are." And, he warned "If you misrepresent what's in the plan, we will call you out."

The president carried his reinvigorated pitch to overhaul and expand the nation's health insurance system the one-day trip to friendly territory. His address at Target Center was part of a weekend campaign by the White House to give the president as much exposure as possible after his prime-time address Wednesday to Congress.