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MANSFIELD, OH -- Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney delivered a scattershot attack on President Barack Obama on Monday, emphasizing a series of issues other than the economy.
Romney veered from his laserlike focus on the economy as several polls released in the aftermath of party conventions suggested that the incumbent president emerged with the advantage. But in looking to get his campaign back on track, the GOP nominee decided to discuss military issues and his commitment to keeping God in the public square, making his focus on the economy (an issue on which he enjoys an advantage over Obama) secondary.
Charles Dharapak / AP
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney stands on a table as he addresses an overflow crowd as he campaigns at PR Machine Works in Mansfield, Ohio, Monday, Sept. 10, 2012.
"I will be a president, if elected, that honors that pledge and all the pledges that I make," Romney said at the top of his remarks before a crowd of about 1,200 in swing state Ohio. "That pledge says that we are a nation under God, and if I am president of the United States -- when and if I become president of the United States -- I will not take God out of my heart, I will not take God out of the public square and I will not take it out of the platform of my party."
Romney also served up fresh lines attacking Obama for his handling of last summer's bipartisan deal to raise the debt limit, a deal reached with the approval of both the Republican-controlled house and the president. That deal called for automatic defense cuts to take place in January 2013 if lawmakers couldn't reach some other sort of deal to address the nation's mounting debt. Lawmakers failed to reach a consensus, and the defense cuts loom on the horizon.
In anticipation of the politically difficult defense cuts, Congress earlier this summer passed a law requiring the Obama administration to detail where cuts would fall if they were to reach fruition. But the Obama administration missed the deadline to report back to Congress, giving political fodder to Romney and other Republicans.
TODAY's Savannah Guthrie discusses the presidential election race with NBC's David Gregory, including the crucial battles in swing states. Gregory also talks about his "Meet the Press" interview with Mitt Romney.
"He won't describe all the jobs that are going to be lost -- no, not probably until after the election," Romney said. "It seems we found one secret relating to national security that he's willing to keep."
Here in Ohio, where the unemployment rate is 7.2 percent, nearly a full point better than the national average, a senior Romney campaign adviser insisted voters were still primarily dialed in to economic issues, including debt and the deficit, and that Romney's economic focus could persuade voters who had not made up their minds.
"The number one issue in Ohio is the same as, I think, the number one issue across the country, which is the economy," Romney senior adviser Kevin Madden told reporters after the event here.
To be sure, Romney, as per usual, laid out his five-point plan for the middle class during today's stop, and hit the president for what he claimed was the administration's lack of a job creation plan. But other economic-based elements of the Romney stump speech were absent, including any mention of welfare reform, and the once ubiquitous "You didn't build that" attack.
While campaign advisers downplayed the significance of Romney's time spent on non-economic issues today, at least one supporter told NBC news that kind of talk was exactly what Romney needed to win over undecided voters in the Buckeye State.
The Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd takes a look at the recent poll numbers and campaign stumps made by both candidates.
John Goodwin, a retired firefighter who shares a mutual Mormon faith with Romney, said before the event that Romney needed to communicate his personal values better to wavering voters who don't yet feel they know and trust the man personally.
"If he can take those values and turn them into the presidency, our country will come back," Goodwin said.
In turn, the Obama campaign accused Romney of the very same secrecy for which he attacked Obama.
“What we saw today from Mitt Romney is more of the same evasiveness that has defined his campaign. He said he would repeal Obamacare, but didn’t offer a solution for the 89 million Americans who could be denied coverage if they have a pre-existing condition. He said he would cut taxes, but didn’t say how he’d pay for $5 trillion in tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires without raising taxes on the middle class. And he said he would put students first, but left out how his deep cuts to education would hurt schools. Mitt Romney knows it’s political suicide to level with the American people about his ‘secret’ agenda, so he’s evading the truth at every turn," said Lis Smith, a spokeswoman for the president's re-election campaign.
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Gee, NOW who is running a campaign of dividing Americans?
Just kidding.
Rmoney never stopped running a campaign of division!
Huh????? Can you explain how Romney is running a campaign of division??? That is Obama's expertise!
Dee. Romney is a habitual liar and a fraud. Lies always create division.
George Bush was the division king. Romney is Bush lite, heavy on the class warfare.
What I'd like to know is what is a nice Mormon boy doing with a far right wing wacked out fundamentalist televangelist?
They are both anti-abortion, and they like the word God.
Pat Robertson is evil on earth doing the devils work. He's not doing romney any favors but romney is too dull to figure that out till later when he has to defend something he agreed with then but his people said hes not supposed to agree with now
The romney man was for obama care before he was against obama care. Everybody knows that. But something needs to be done.
I just saw the latest stats on medical care and the number for infant mortality in this country is still double that of any other country in the top 10 economies in the world. Plus we spend twice as much as the next highest spending country. Somebody, most likely the medical insurers, are making tons and tons of money in this country. We are spending twice as much while getting half as much. Somebody is pocketing 3/4 of the trillions we spend on health care with no cost. I tell you we need obamacare now.
You are so right. And Ryan wants to eliminate Medicare and use vouchers so that seniors HAVE TO buy health insurance....thus making the ins. companies even more profitable. His plan does not cover prescriptions, says nothing about pre-existing conditions, and limits the amount of coverage.
Can u say un-American with me?
"Which ever the way the wind blows" Romney. At least he's consistent!
TAX RETURNS! TAX RETURNS! TAX RETURNS!
Obama/Biden 2012 FORWARD!
Obama's college applications and financial aid applications posted three times in cap letters and in bold just for Alaska Girl !
TAX RETURNS! TAX RETURNS! TAX RETURNS!
Dee: The only thing other than a leverage buy out expert Romney is good at is : flip flop flip flop flip flop!! He now likes certain parts of Obamacare,when for months he has been saying on day one he would repeal it.And no,you have that backwards,it is the Repub's expertise-Block 19 jobs bills so they can turn around and say it's all Obama's fault.Only one problem they are taking America over the cliff just to suit their agenda.When Obama gets re-elected they will not start this same old crap because they will ALL be out on their collective arses !! Clinton even stated he could not work with this present day Congress.
Obama's America said by Obama " We can strive to become middle class"
America I grew up in " You can strive to become rich"
Mitty's Ditty
division and diversion
war, what war?
I would not have called
that woman a whore
I rob from the poor and give to the rich
I promise not to steer us
into a ditch
I'll write that promise on an etch-a-sketch
when the tow truck is called
and the driver is Hispanic
this God fearing man won't go into a panic
I'll point to the lot where a factory once sat
look at the driver
and say "I built that"
Funny!!
"Don't Roof Rack Me, Bro!".......American dogs who demand to ride inside!
Obama/Biden 2012 FORWARD!
Alaska
Alaska Girl that is just too d__n funny.
and all of you coward haters out there, do not diss Mitt's missionary position! A beret wearing door to door in France was the patriotic alternative according to Joseph Smith.
I suspect that Republican candidates everywhere, especially those seeking to run against Hillary in 2016, are cleansing a full decade of their tax records as we speak.
If Romney has done ANYTHING this campaign season, he's taught his fellow Republicans that hiding tax returns is kryptonite at the national level.
So thank you Mitt, you have performed a necessary and vital public service.
Now drop dead. Figuratively speaking, of course.
it's not kryptonite, it's korobite.....from the planet Korob, where God lives.
I really believe the GOP is dieing, as well it should. When I listen to Mr. Romney speak, and Mr. Ryan, I cant help but see that lieing and re-lieing is all they know how to do. When I watched the RNC, I noticed how 1950's the whole convention looked. I havent seen that many blonde and gray-gone-blonde people in one room in ..... well, 4 years. Then the repubs talked like they wanted to go back to the 50's. Their tent has shrunk way too small, and the lack of representation of the diversity in our country was apparent. If they could only stop including their views on religion, God, sex, and women, that THEIR way is the only right way, and trying to legislate those views, they might stand a chance. Romney's flip-flopping has evolved into serial lieing, and he is an embarrassment to both his party and his country. Is R&R really the very best the repubs could come up with???? Mr. Reagan must be flip-flopping in his grave. I used to respect the GOP, even if I didnt agree with all their policies, but my respect has evolved into shock and embarrassment. The GOP is taking its last breaths and it is hard to watch.
So Julia, the Republicans had no minorities? The Democrats didn't talk about women, sex, and birth control as if "THEIR way is the only right way"? Face the facts. There are a lot of Americans, and there are many diverse views. It's the intelligent way to allow others to express their opinions. Maybe if you looked at facts instead of just emotion, you would understand our wonderful diverse culture.
Well, reader, when the Dems talk about it we are saying that it is the right of a woman to choose for herself what is in her best interests. I don't need, nor do I want, the Republicans or any other entity dictating to me or any other woman in this country what we can and cannot do with our own bodies. If a woman doesn't want an abortion then she shouldn't have one. If a woman chooses to take a pregnancy to full term then she should do that. It is not up to anyone else to choose either path except the woman herself.
Will Mitt Romney explain to the American troops in Afghanistan why thanking them did not even end up on Romney's laundry list.
If Mitt brought up Afganistan and our troops it would have led to "Where was Mitt during the Vietnam War", oh his daddy got him sent to France as a Missionary.
The fact that Romney would refer to our military personnel as part of a laundry list speaks volumes. His excuse that he mentioned them the day before his speech at the RNC at the American Legion is just simply hilarious. He knows that he FUBAR'd so now he is back peddling AGAIN!
Romney's campaign seems to be imploding in front of our eyes. Poll after poll has Obama's lead widening, day after day, since the DNC drew to a close.
Even better is the down-ballot shift going on. I'm not sure HOW it happened, but Tea Party candidates are losing support from Independents in state after state.
Could it be that Independents have simply decided that Tea Party anger in 2010 achieved NOTHING for the majority and only resulted in unconstructive obstructionism?
Thank you Independents for putting country first.
Whose God?
Will Mitt Romney explain to the American troops in Afghanistan why thanking them did not even end up on Romney's laundry list.
maybe Obama can explain why the military is only important during election time, while proposing cuts to military spending in 2013..
DaHooD, those cuts you are talking about are to go the VA services, comes out of the money Congress wants the DoD to spend on things they don't want. There is much more to it than that so go to the Congress web site, VA, VFW and DAV web pages too.
The Sequestration cuts will have no effect on Veterans (OMB Legal Opinion).
Ahhhh, DaHooD: Maybe you should ask the Republicans that question as they voted in favor of the military spending cuts that are due to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2013. For President Obama the men and women fighting still in Afghanistan remains a constant with him as well as First Lady Michelle and Second Lady Jill so don't even go there. This WH works really hard for current military personnel as well as the vets.
Watch the Debates they should prove to be very interesting... and FUNNY!!!!
I think even the recons are hanging it up. He's flipping on Obamney care again and flopping on the wealthy paying more in taxes. The Dems are having a field day and the recons are giving up. This guy has a more liberal record than Obama, yet wants to come off as the Tea party savior. True conservatives want to return to 2000- balanced budget, smaller government. Let's face it, Clinton was the best Republican president we ever had.
The up side is Ryan is being exposed for being an even bigger flipper. He's making Bush look competent- now that's hard to do!
Romney stated when asked by Fox news about his not mentioning the troops in Afghanistan he replied “I only regret you’re repeating it day in and day out,” Romney said, adding that his speech focused on things that are important: Really Mitt....The troops aren't important? As a disabled veteran and Ohioan this sealed the deal for President Obama. Romney and Ryan refuse to give any details of their plans as it shows that they have none but more of the same tired old conservative attacks on workers, the middle class, and the poor to benefit the wealthy. He has the right now questioning their choice of him after he said he wasn't planning on a full repeal of the Affordable Care Act and in an impressive display of stupidity and maybe just thinking the viewers wouldn't pick up on it was his stating he would make pre-existing coverage mandatory. It is alreadt in it dumb*ss. He also wanted to cover children for as long as a family wants blowing past the age 26 limit set that the republicans fought to exclude. Sir Flipsalot just stuck it to conservatives who warned of him being undependable and could not be trusted. Now you Have Romney and his pals pulling out all the stops in Ohio and I'm sure it is not long before we get the racist/bigoted talk a going. This weekend had support for Rep. Johnson call Democrat Charlie Wilson a communist that send american jobs to China. They even used the Chinese flag adorned with the hammer and sickle. Romney has stated President Obama doesn't like God and brought in the not american crap. It will definately get worse as he falls behind in the polls. He doesn't stand a chance in the debates as President Obama will have him twisted into a pretzel reciting his flip-flops, tax returns, offshore accounts, and a myriad of position changes back and forth. If Perry can get him off his game so easily then bring the popcorn and watch Mitt implode.
Oh, but Repubs you said this election was not about social issues. You Lie!
This is the typical wink wink nod from social conservatives. They want to legislate their morality on every other free person.
Since Romney is RUNNING ON HIS BUSINESSMAN CREDS, I don't want to hear anything out of him other than how he is going to FIX THE ECONOMY, and still not show his Taxes.
Today it was keeping in God we trust on the currency and yesterday it was that he liked parts of Obama care so I don't think anyone has a clue about tomorrow.
Julie and Alaska Girl you know exactly what you are talking about. I don't understand why any woman who thinks for herself would vote for a Republican.
Has anyone noticed that now Romney is saying that he likes parts of Obama care but it would be hard to keep the parts he likes if the whole act is repealed. This man just know what he means and seems to forget what he has been saying for months.
I about fell off my chair on Sunday when he said that to David Gregory on Meet the Press. For months he has stated that on day one of his presidency he will repeal ACA. Now? Not so much. Which is it, Mittens? This is just one reason why they don't let Mitt go unscripted! Off the rails, baby! OH!! Where are the tax returns, Mitt???!!!!!
Obama/Biden 2012 FORWARD!
Monkey see, idiot do. Romney outsources jobs to China through Bain. Paul Ryan supports H.R. 3012 which helps businesses hire immigrants rather than Americans for high paying jobs.
Another kick in the face to the middle class by the GOP led House.
Are you against helping businesses?
well, thereyago again! the Plutocrat party (the Republican party is dead,) not content to go back to just the Bush economic policies, has decided to worship at the feet of Pat Robinson(?) and hijack Christianity as well, in complete imitation of Bush.
the good ole days...weren't they just grand?
Finally, Gov. Romney trying some new rhetoric's......."When I'm President I will not take out GOD out of my heart"
.......................................MONEY IS ROMNEY'S GOD..................................................
THANKS FOR YOUR CONFESSION GOV.....LETS HOPE NO FLIP-FLOPPING !!!!
...................THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL..............
........NOW, MORE THAN EVER WE NEED TO SEE ROMNEY'S TAXES........
I'm with Fiesty...
You have to go back far to find a more poorly run campaign.
For my own opine...
Jobs, Taxes and Overseas engagements...and Mittens is hittin the Bible...or whatever Mormans read to approximate the Bible.
Really!
In Romney We Trust....in something...not sure...hard to pin down....uhhhh what were we talking about?
Not taxes or abortion right?