
Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
President Barack Obama wipes perspiration from his face as he speaks Saturday in a sweltering gym during a campaign stop at Windham High School in Windham, N.H.
WINDHAM, N.H. – Speaking in a hot, crowded gymnasium here, President Barack Obama kicked off a day of campaigning in this key battleground state where he is running neck-and-neck with his challenger, Mitt Romney.
“They’re coming here on Monday,” Obama said as he wiped his brow to deal with the low air conditioning, as the 2,300 in the packed gym booed at the mention of Romney and Ryan.
“Ask them how they’re going to strengthen the middle class,” he said after accusing Romney of wanting to “wants to give another tax cut to folks like him,” i.e., wealthy Americans.
He also accused Romney's running mate Paul Ryan of putting forward "a plan that would let Governor Romney pay less than 1 percent in taxes each year. And here's the kicker - he expects you to pick up the tab."
Romney campaign spokesman Ryan Williams pushed back on that claim, saying in a statement that "it's not surprising the president is launching yet another false attack. The fact is President Obama wants to raise taxes on private investment and job creators, which will lead to higher unemployment and fewer jobs."
While Obama won New Hampshire in 2008, polls here reveal a contentious race between Romney and him, with an August University of New Hampshire/WMUR poll showing 49 percent of likely voters would pick Obama while 46 percent would go for Romney.
One of the reasons Romney is playing to win in New Hampshire is because so many people were familiar with his term as Massachusetts governor; Boston is only 45 minutes away from the southeastern town of Windham.
That familiarity with Romney was evident Saturday morning at the Chatterbox Café, around the corner from where the president spoke, where late-morning brunchers shared a variety of views on the 2012 race.
Robert Scaccia, 41, who owns a physical therapy business with branches in Windham and Boston, said he’s supported Romney since he ran against Ted Kennedy for Senate in 1994.
Unlike many conservative voters elsewhere in the country, Scaccia said he favored the idea of Mass-Care, the statewide healthcare mandate Romney instituted as governor.
Noting that he treats Boston patients who are on Mass-Care, Scaccia said Romney should treat his healthcare plan as “a crowning achievement,” not only for getting so many people on health care but also as an example of bipartisanship.
“He did it with a Democratic [legislature] in a fully Democratic state; they worked together to get it done. So I think he should be championing that,” Scaccia said.
Ray Ennis, a Romney supporter who recently retired from the printing business, shared that view. While he said he was voting for Romney because “the economy’s the most important thing in the country,” he added that the former governor’s healthcare plan had some positive features.
“I think Romneycare, he’s got some great ideas,” Ennis said. “I think he learned a lot from what he didn’t like in Massachusetts. I think he tweaked it.”
But demonstrating the diversity of views in this town, whose county, Rockingham, handed Obama a slim 1,571-vote victory, Saccia’s, wife Stacey, a homemaker and former teacher, said she would vote for Obama as she did in 2008.
But, she said she had hoped Obama would focus more on some of the issues she said are most important to her.
“He did promise a lot for education and for ending the war and for environmentally friendly practices. And you don’t hear any of that once [politicians are] in office. They’re moving on to bigger and better things,” she said.
Later Saturday, Obama moved on to Rochester, N.H., where he was slated to make remarks outside at the Rochester Commons.


Obama: Not a leader; biggest demonizer this country has ever seen. WOW.
I'm sure you meant to say Bush, correct?
All because he;s black I am sure...
Did that fool just say Bush?
"The Private sector is doing fine"
"Our polices worked there's didn't"
"You didn't build that"
"they'll put ya'll back in Chains"
You have to wonder if their just spending too much time with their heads in the clouds.
You're the one with your head in the clouds if you are trying to extract some meaning from statements taken out of context. Or does your brain only function on 2 second sound bites?
We all know the context around those statements as well as you do otherwise you wouldn't be trying to lessen there impact.
Paul Ryan apparently did build the road in front of his family colonial.
He also is purported to have helped build the school that he attended....along with teaching himself all that he needed to know to screw over everyone who is not as fortunate as himself.
How's that stimulus working for you Paul?
Too much time with their heads up their rectums.
They only impact (squish!) melon heads. The rest of us know better. We know how the sound-bite game is played.
Yep, I live in New Hampshire and I know Romney. The only problem is that I know Obama much better which is why I will be voting for Romney. I never have and never will vote for a Communist set on taking this country down. Keep a close eye on NH folks. It is turning RED as we speak.
It's turning RED with embarrassment!
I doubt if any of us would vote for a "communist set on taking this country down". Haven't seen any of those around so really don't worry about that at all. Back in the McCarthy days there were a lot of good folk destroyed because someone needed to create those communists they played with every night in their fantasy world, but I think we have come beyond that now. Or at least the intelligent amongst us have.
alsophia - Never underestimate the power of stupidity.
Got that right,you should see our House..it's run by a paranoid fascist Neo Nazi..
And I live in NH too and I will definitely be voting for Obama
AHHhh, Yet another chance to hear the roar of the Lying King.
When Mitt shows his tax's will The POS show us his college
records so we can see he enrolled as an EXCHANGE STUDENT ?
After all if there is nothing to hide what's the problem?
Do I hear Crickets as the great "Fisted Dead Head" would say?
Actually, I thought it was....because Obama showed his birth record, then Mitt would show his taxes. But...but....Mitt....it's YOUR TURN buddie! Step up, guy! Show you taxes like all the other Presidential candidates, or not. Be a man for once...and keep your word. Ahhhh lol...never mind, we've all seen the Titanic and know where your sinking ship is headed.
Ya...tithing is not donating
Obama needs to be voted out in Nov., good for him and good for the United States of America. It's a Win-Win.
It's always puzzled me why Romney wasn't out there bragging about one of the best healthcare bills ever passed, the one he passed in Massachusetts. It was done through bi-partisan effort. People seem pleased with it. Now he promises to kill Obamacare his first day in office? Obamacare, a copy of Romneycare? Something crazy goiing on here. Could it be politics?
I would rather see the states handle this than federal. States can only go so far and not take over all of healthcare.
Could it be that people who ask the question alsophia does has no grasp of the Constitution?
What part of the constitution would you be referring to? What part/parts of RomneyCare/ObamaCare was found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court? If RomneyCare is so great, and the residents of Massachusetts like it so much....why is it being described as bad for the rest of America. Why does Romney/Ryan want to repeal their own legislation, that he originally thought was a great role model for the nation? Can you explain any of this.
It's no secret Roberts sold out. He created the argument for finding a way to keep the law. I'm not going to waste my time going over the old arguments. You couldn't follow them anyway.
It is not the first time in American history the wrong decision was rendered from the Court.
No one claimed Massachusetts health care law was "a great role model for the nation". That's just a lie from a no-nothing.
Funny, you don't have any facts to back your claim up. By the way, Romney himself stated that his health care law with the mandate was the role model for the country. That was the same Romney who also said that he supported planned parenthood, and Roe vs. Wade....back when he was a moderate. Of course, now he is a conservative, so he now is against everything he was for back when he was a governor.
Also, what's funny is when conservatives hate the Supreme Court and say they are activist judges when rulings don't go their way; but, love the Supreme Court when they back their laws. It's part of the constitution...that document you hold so dear, and claim another poster didn't have a clue about.
Kinda like Ryan talking out of one side of his mouth saying how bad and damaging to the country the stimulus was and out the other side of his mouth begging for some of it and claiming it would help his economy and create jobs. Republicans are so great at "double-speak", aren't they? Answer truthfully now.
And when questioned about it Ryan lied and said he had never requested any of that bad evil money. Then did the typical politician thing and said he couldn't remember that he had. Then blamed it on "normal constituency service", as if it was his staff that did it. But his signature was at the bottom of each request.
Alsophia: So true.....when republicans are faced with real evidence and facts that contradict their statements....they back track and say they really didn't mean what they said. Romney has contradicted himself so many times over the last several months he could've won a gold medal for double talking. Ryan has been out for a week, and already has been caught red handed by a local TV media.
Yeah, I know how facts seem to get in the way. That's why libby clowns have been collapsing posts that actually had facts in them all day. C U crying in November.
Got any facts to post, or just like to complain about "libbys". When you and republicans don't have any facts to refute a post, revert to name calling. I use the proper political names and treat others with respect, even when I disagree with them. It's called adult conversation.
Funny, you don't have any facts to back up your claim. Not surprised even a little.
Well because most of the US constiuents have not a clue what Romneycare is..and to go a wee bit further Mr Mitt Romney was advised and worked WITH(remember that working together to solve a problem thing called compromise all?)Ted Kennedy on this bill and both saw it as extremely beneficial for all constituents involved.OH BTW..Obama consulted with Ted about just this while he was vacationing on the Vineyard(and Mitts got the place in NH,so please dont bring New England vacation spots into the partisan bicker GW and HW both have had the place in Walker Point(Herbert 'Walker' give ya a clue?) off the Maine coast for over 100 years so pffft..oh...and BTW..HW was born in Milton Mass..his birthplace is about as far away from Texas as you can get)
Conservative;
Here's the quote you wanted:
"And as late as 2009, as Washington was debating the president's health care proposal, Romney said portions of the Massachusetts law could serve as a model for the country."
Just thought I'd let you know and back up my post with actual facts.
Looks like the lire in chief is about to be unemployed .Hope Nancy P and Harry R. also follow him out of power .America now can have real hope and change. Romney Ryan god bless America
Nancy and Harry will drop dead in a year or two. They're old, even older than they claim.
These posts are a real hoot. So much energy, so much "intellectual" fiber, so much vitriol ~ and at the end of the day not a single mind has been changed. I have to take issue with forecasts of a pending worldwide famine. With as much bull@!$%# as is being thrown around by American politics, if it rains just once we will have a bumper crop capable of feeding the entire world for years to come.
You are probably right about not changing anyone's minds but what about turnout? I'm looking at this Obama story and its already dying after only 150 comments or so.
Go to the Ryan stories and they have over 400 posts and 700 posts because issues are actually being discussed.
What does that tell you. Ryan and Romney stories are actually causing issues to be discussed while Obama and Biden stories are just filled with the same old mudslinging.
Yeah, all the posts are anti Ryan/Romney! It is not pretty! It is all about the "truth"!
Straight up libby psycho babble. It's just real hard to have an adult conversation with these rantings with no facts whatsoever
Wanna talk about Ryan here? Great! Did he or did he not publicly denounce the stimulus package as being something harmful to the nation and saying that it would not create jobs?
Then, after you have answered that truthfully, did he or did he not petition for stimulus money? Did he or did he not claim that it would help the local economy and create jobs?
And did he or did he not deny that he petitioned stimulus money?
And then when confronted with the truth, did he or did he not squirm around and play the typical politician game of "I just don't recall that."
And when pressed further, did he or did he not try to slide it down on staff?
But was his signature at the bottom of each request? Methinks it was.
Just a typical lying squirming sack-of-chit politician.
He went to bat to promote industry at the request of his constituents. Simple as that adolf. He didn't "sqirm" or bloviate whern questioned about it, he answered the question. Something your half-black Jesus (Spike Lee reference) seems incapable of.
Your ilk should move to Cuba. GTFO of my free nation.
Conservative: He denied it several times, then after the interviewer asked several times, and gave reference to the Wall Street Journal report, he finally stated that yes he had asked for stimulus money.
Nobody is saying it was wrong to ask and bring money to industries in his district; the problem is, he voted against it in Congress, stated on the stump that it didn't promote or create jobs, and that he didn't ask for any money. That is the problem. By the way, if the stimulus was such a bad idea and doesn't create jobs, why ask for the $20million. Ask Wisconsin how many jobs were created with that stimulus money.
And racist remarks notwithstanding aka fascism that you rant should go too Germany and regard Hitler with awe because he also tooka religous stand about what he thought was right also... 6 million people died needlessly at his hands,and I am to suppose that is what you and many others support?
Conservativenut,
I saw him on a TV interview, and I know "squirming" when I see it. Did you see the clip? Your "free" nation? Maybe it will stay free if Obama wins another election. Otherwise it will be free for only those who "look" right and "think" right.
Just more of the OBAMA___________VS__________AMERICA
Justice for Brian Terry..Fast&Furious
Solyndra
Opening the doors to Illegals or as real americans says "undocumented democrats"
Hey run on the economy Obama see how far it gets you....You and your bootlicking media are toast this November
Hope & Chains
Put a Obama/Biden bumperstick on brian williams forehead, LMAO he thats obvious
STIMULUS money request letter from Ryan for Wisconsin!
Did anyone ask Obama how he's going to strengthen the middle class.
Oh, right. He doesn't take questions. He just issues platitudes and lies.
Romney has said how he will strengthen the middle class. It has worked in the past and it will work again. Obama knows that, it's just not on his agenda to strengthen anything about America.
Yeah...and Romney spent an entire week travelling with the press to the Olympics and Europe and Middle East yet took all of THREE questions from the embedded journalists.
Wait till the debates rebel....it is gonna be EPIC!
Just for the record:
What were those three questions?
Epic alright, Obama is going to get his ass handed to him in his proverbial hat. Not even fixing the debates in favor of Obama thru the use of left wing moderators is going to help him. He's running on empty with no hope or change to call anyone.
Now I know what it means to be "Rushed"! Left wing moderators! LOL
To #37 Yes,he said he w as going to raise taxes on those that made $250,000 or more a year and lower taxeson thise that make less..
The most major responsibility of a governor is to balance the budget. Governors are not usually popular in their own states as they cannot give out taxpayer money to buy votes and borrow more.
As a Republican governor in a state with a legislature almost all Democrats, he had a tough job and needed to balance the budget anyway he could get them to vote.
So if one wants to be popular, probably a governor is a poor career choice.
You may be right, Don. The repub governor in my state isn't well liked at all. He even has confrontations with his own party. But I guess we have to give him a little slack...he was one of those CEO's who campaigned on the 'I'm a businessman, I know how to get things done' slogan. Still waiting on that...after 3 1/2 years.
He created a new tax on seniors, so he could lower corporate taxes....which hasn't had any benefit to the state, yet. He keeps trying to build a bridge....that no one else wants. Again, not even his own party.
So, yea...govoners apparently can be unliked. But sometimes it's just because of the stupid things they seem to do. (And I'd hate to be associated in any way, with the AZ govenor! She just cannot do ANYTHING right.)
A vote for Obama is a vote against your children's future.
A vote for Romney is a vote against every working adult in the country.
( Wealthy don't really work...they make money...from money. )
And a vote for a Obama is support for welfare receipients.
A vote for Obama might be (if the Republicans get out of the way) the support for repairing the aging infrastructure that the US has and building an infrastructure for the future which we seriously need and creating jobs for the present and a benefit for the whole in future competition with the rest of the world. A win win situation. I will vote for Obama because I think he had some good ideas there.
Why do they call the GOP the party of the right?
They are wrong so often and with such bad consequences that it seems a bit of an oxymoron.
"Who would take from the most needy to give to those that have the most?"
Answer: Republicans...( and some Christians sadly to say... )
Yes thats why Obama stole from Seniors.
Al: Stole what?
700 billion dollars from medicaid and medicare.
And you believe that crap?
I am surprised to see President Obama taking his message to the public. I would have thought he could run this campaign from the rose garden.
How is Obama going to explain his theft of 716 billion dollars from Medicare and medicaid. Guess what he can't.
So Obama is going to a state where they know Romney. The problem with Obama is that all the states know him and that isn't good for him !!
Al: What theft of 716 billion dollars? Not true! Search for the truth now!
Are you foolish or stupid he took 716 billion dollars from medicaid to fund Obama care. He will have to answer for that.
willard should grow up, quit crying and tell the truth. enough lying.
Obama should run on his record and stop lying to the American people.
Kerry, Romney, both is a reflection of the greedy, now its Ryan, and Romney, selfish and arrogant in America. They both mirror the Wall Street goons that crippled and raped are country’s economy. I fear for the future of America. Romney is like a nasty street walker. Pay him enough (Just like the back room deal he made with Trump) and he will do anything.
and liberals, about how people like Romney and Ryan, think that the
American people are stupid, throw us a bone, like 2 million low paying job
and we will ride them on are shoulders all the way to the White House.
Romney called himself a business man, but he never created anything.
He wants to be President, but he won’t invest in America with his money.
What has Obama done for you please explain.
Let' see, the Affordable Care Act, stimulus job creation, and attempted many things but blocked by the GOP!
Lilly Ledbedder Act....ACA, keeping insurance companies from dropping you for pre-existing conditions....Getting combat troops out of Iraq...giving and caring for veterns with increased benefits. Just to name a few.
Obama care no one wanted it, job creation a joke we are in a net fall in jobs under Obama. Bringing combat troops out of Iraq a lie. That was already decided by Bush before he left office. Do you have anything else he hasnt done.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHH the lili ledbetter act who gives a fu ck. Has that created a job.
Obama increasing veterans benefits? HAHAHA Go to Afganistan and ask the troops how a cut in the way combat pay is figured really helped them out. Sick and tired of this POS POTUS and his 2 handed crotch cover salute he gives the flag when it is paraded past him . Douche needs to go now.
As a matter of fact, yes....equal pay, means more jobs because employers can't discriminate. Can you counter what jobs are being created by republican laws and bills being passed???
Democrats love the military not
I dont give a flip Jackie it hasnt created one job.
Still not answering the question, What bills and legislation have the republicans done to help create jobs? What plan and policies does Romney have to create jobs? and don't give me tax cuts to the !%.
Any answers???
Mr.Romney: So how many years of the Bush tax cuts will it take for those jobs, jobs, jobs to be created? We have been waiting but they are not back! Just questioning from your quote, "President Obama wants to raise taxes on private investment and job creators. Looking for those illusive job creators!
Do you understand what is going to happen if those tax cuts go away. Do you have any clue.
You wont answer it then I will the economy is going into the tank. That is a gurantee.
The answer is: everyone's tax rates will go back to the Clinton era; and that would be bad, why??? I seem to recall that the economy picked up and jobs were created, the middle class became prosperous and gained in numbers. We have had Bushes tax cuts ongoing for the last 10 years, if they do create jobs, where are they??? Why can't republicans give all the jobs that were created by those tax cuts substance, factual data to the American public.
I would like the tax cuts to expire.....and would gladly pay more in taxes to get the economy going again. I believe it's called REVENUE. Where is the REVENUE going to come from with the republican Romney plan?
The answer is the economy will fall apart.
The tax cut didn't create any jobs but it DID put the economy "in the tank". Do you want more of that?
It will be the largest tax increase on the American people in history.
Tax and spent has never created anything. You cant spent your way to prosperity.
Sandy you want to watch the economy lose more jobs institutue that tax.
The people have been taxed to death this class warfare sh it is exactly that sh it and you idiot liberals are falling for it, Oh look over here not at what I am really doing that is what Obama is dong dividing the country. When was the last time you got a job from a poor person.
You have a lot of sound bites, but no data or facts to back your claims up. A lot of hot air, without any facts.....largest tax hike in history. I don't recall anyone from the Clinton era complaining about the tax rates...and that Clinton passed onto Bush a surplus. Part of the rationale for Bush to do the tax cuts was because of the surplus. Maybe you should review some history.
I dont go look on the net Jackie and learn.
Yes, let's look at history. Yes clinton had a surplus, but we still had a National debt. Clinton came into office during on of the largest military draw downs since the draft went away. Clinton didn't spend squat on the military. Bush comes along and 8 months later 9/11 happened. Where's the military? Needs massive help. Up spins the war machine and spending to get out revenge. THERE's where your spending went. Economy starts to falter, incomes Barry. Barry spins up spending cuz dems control house and senate. Spend like drunken whores(sorry whores) and pass spending bill after spending bill to try to get the economy on track. 2010- America says F this and votes in a buttload of Republicans to stop the crazy spending. Grid lock grid lock grid lock. and here we are.
Real logical and intelligent reply....another person without facts complaining about life. Not everything on the internet is factual, but then, everyone has an opinion, and can voice it on the internet.
No..the government did NOT have a national debt.I was there Actually there was a sizeable SURPLUS that BUSH GAVE AWAY to the American people Yayy $300 for every single American and $600 for married couples WOOOOOOAAAA...Big Spenders...WHAT A FRICKEN INSULT TO THE COMMON MAN..Bush tried to bail an economy out that did'nt NEED bailing out..We did'nt spend a dime on the military BECAUSE THERE WAS NO NEED FOR IT AT THE TIME. And there is no need now either,not in the form that it is in now.Hey Jackie we are actual witnesses to these idiotic events in Washington in the past decade and to this day I still say we do deserve what we get and right now what we're getting is better than what we would have gotten if McCain were in now..
Dave,
Thanks for posting some facts with your post. I agree with your post, and have to admit that the other posters are good with the one liners, but fail to post facts as logical, rationale, and with any sense of credibility. I too, am glad that McCain didn't win the presidency.
Hey, Ryan, Mitt et al -- stop calling the rich "Job Creators." They have the money, where are the jobs? They're just hanging on to their money and wanting us to give them more. We're not going to do it. Job Creators my a$$. A WPA-style project to fix roads, bridges, railroads, schools, dams etc -- now THAT would be a "job creator." And you guys aren't about to step up to that. Much easier to cater to the right wing-nut crazies and threaten to bomb Iran to please Sheldon Adelson. If America buys into that, it will deserve the Bush-years-revisited and amplified it will get. I hope we're smarter than that. I wish I could say I was sure we are.
Ask Obama who has over regulated industry and small business to the point I am surprised any jobs are being created at all
Jobs are being created. Positive job growth for over 26 consecutive months. Small businesses have gotten tax breaks and incentives under Obama. I agree with Egret, please show me the factual data on all those jobs that the tax cuts under Bush have been. Start citing actual job growth with the richest getting tax cuts over the past several years, what businesses are actual producing jobs because of those tax cuts.
Remember, it was the weakly, regulated, financial, business sector that got the U.S. in this financial mess.
Look at how many jobs have been created compared to how many have been lost under Obama we are in a negative number and he cant spin that.
Yes I remember it and now we have gone to opposite, it is now over regulated and as long as that continues the crap py market will contniue.
Al: Sorry, not true! Talk from folks that don't care about you!
No,you know what I get sick of is 'I built MY business BY MYSELF' when Obama's right...that is an ABSOLUTE CROCK OF SHYTE that you built it yourself...You are in business because you have or do something that is in demand by others am I correct?Then if you did work for others THEN YOU DID NOT BUILD YOUR BUSINESS BY YOURSELF.YOU HAD THESE THINGYS...hmmm what are they called??...OH YEA...CUSTOMERS!!YEA THATS IT..yea well hmm..and ummoh yea every April 15th I got to do this this guy i PAY to do my taxes..some guy called OH YEA AN ACCOUNTANT..Oh yea I PAY him to help me RUN MY BUSINESS Oh yea thats right..What I am saying (and may I say rather facetiously)is no you did not build your business by yourself or you would not BE in business you have to have this thing called a D E M A N D..Oh,,yea and by the way YOU ARE NOT A JOB CREATOR!!!! D E M A N D is the' event' that is the 'Job Creator'..My God ya sound like you are out of a Star Trek movie
From 1940 to 1980 the top tax bracket was 70% and above.
1940 thru 1980 was a period of unprecedented growth of jobs, industry, and American might.
So much for Romney's claim that high taxes on millionaires thwarts growth.
2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax....... # 2 on the 10 planks of Communism.
Remember July 2010? THE RECOVERY SUMMER?
How's that working out for you?
Obama must be confused. This is the "Live Free or Die" state where we take care of our own and we have a small part time legislature, fewer liberal social programs, low tax, low crime, few gun laws and lots of guns.
Obama should go back to liberal Utopia, gun free, social program Chicago.
Champagnesabre: Is that part of the "stay for family, leave for jobs" plan?
I like rich people. When they spend money, I make money. When they start pulling back, my income drops.
I only earned 1/10th last year of what I earned in 2008.
Come one, be truthful you lefties - are REALLY better off today than you were 4 years ago? The only individuals who seem to have made money in the last 4 years are Obama's campaign bundlers