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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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HOw angry are the Republicans going to be if Romney is not elected?
Aren't Republicans dispositionally angry by nature?
Hopefully angry enough to have Rush's head explode and Fox to have a circular firing squad to all end it together with Glenn Beck the pivot man.
Can you imagine the gooey, slimey mess when Rush's head explode? YUK!
Forced Vaginal Probes for All!
It's beyond me to fathom whose notion it was to even think up the concept of vaginal probes as law. Talk about the government poking its nose in people's business where it doesn't belong. When will the Republicans get their heads out from in between women's legs and get on with the economy, jobs, foreign policy, a comprehensive energy policy, immigration reform that works, rebuilding our infrastructure, education, etc. I could go on and on. The Republicans always to pass laws that injure women, the elderly, the poor and the middle class. Why can't we as the wealthiest country in the world take care of our elderly, have first class health care, air the poor, and provide opportunity and education. One reason - politicians that want all wealth to funnel upward. Greed at its finest.
I already avoided one of those tonight, thank you very much. Tomorrow, I've been shackle, er, married 25 years.
Congrats I guess.....lol
Great, Mitt wants to keep God in his party platform and the USA's currency. And which god is that, Mitt? Is it the god of this planet that was once a man? Is it the god of another planet? Are you willing to come out and affirm fundamental LDS beliefs to your evangelical Christian supporters:
1) That the god of Earth was once a man, and ascended to a god status?
2) That there are multitudes of planets with their own gods?
3) That man on Earth can become a god of another planet in a future life?
Can you face off with your evangelical Christian electorate on these beliefs? Let's see what sort of conviction you have?
Summer.....it's sickening isn't it???? These taliban repubs have gotten so nuts even the normal nuts can't take them. The upshot is that they are truly exposing themselves for what they are, misogynists and liars. Ryan is so egomaniacal that he thinks he can legislate around "the moment of conception". Like anyone knows when that is. By the way, I think Ryan is gay......not that there's anything wrong with that. Seriously! But to me, it explains his obsession with women's reproduction and relationship "rights". Lordy, lordy.
I am an Obama supporter...( duh )
But...I myself and disturbed by the story of the teachers strike in Chicago.
Not for the politics of the whole thing...but for a tidbit of info that I found out while watching the coverage.
This is not right in a civilized society.
90% of the students were low income
Okay...I could see like 30%...which would still be bad...but ninety freakin percent?
You could blame Obama...easy target.
You could blame the Congress....the do nothing congress...what a boner gone wrong.
You could blame Chine, Europe, Greece, Spain.....whatever.
If after November you don't like the outcome...you should have voted.
Blame yourself! You can decide.
Dionysus - In conversation with teachers and education administrators, they claim the problem is that most school districts are top heavy. It appears that administration needs to be cut and the $ saved given to the teachers. I don't know why the teachers keep being squeezed when education is so important.
Sorry Summer,
The country that every other scholor in the world wants to enter because our higher ecucation system is still the best in the world in research and science ( despite the Dubya years ) is the good ole U s of A.
The fact that the most wealthy country in the world has a city school system where 90 freakin percent of the students are low income is just plain wrong.
Like Clint Eastwood backing down from a gunfight.
Gary Busey being politicaly correct.
Where Vampire's are evil bloodsucking parasites....
...too far?
Tonight it is being reported that Rahm is at the heart of breaking the teachers union. He is supposed to be a democrat. Well if it is true then screw him. The democrats in Chicago need to cut him loose if he is trying to end the public school system in favor of charter schools both for profit and non profit but either way it takes taxpayer money and gives it to private schools. More and more democrats are sticking it to their so-called people. President Obama needs to give Rahm a call and a few choice curse words.
Great, Mitt wants to keep God in his party's platform and on the USA currency. And which god would that be, Mitt? Is it the god on this planet Earth, who was once a man? Is it a god of another planet? When will you square with the evangelical Christians you want to vote for you about:
1) The god of Earth was once a man, who became a god in a subsequent life?
2) That there are a multitude of other gods on other planets?
3) That man can become a god, to rule another planet in a future life?
When will you square with your hopeful evangelical Christian electorate that you support these beliefs of the LDS church - that there is NOT just ONE GOD. Do you have the conviction to stand behind your faith?
and don't forget....Mitt gets his own planet when he dies....wow
You ask any mormon how they believe Jesus was concieved and they'll run from you. They dont even talk about it in their "book". Because the mormon believes that God came down from heaven in the flesh and had physical intercourse with the virgin mary. Now since most people would consider that rape...its extremely blasphemous. And IMO...to believe that is just plain sick.
A debate moderator or reporter needs to ask him if he believes in the Virgin Mary. The answer is mormons don't and if most christians knew that and many other tenants of mormonism they would run from Mitt like the plague. The Virgin Mary is central to christianity and catholicism.
I agree. Someone needs to ask him that very question.
Someone remind Romney that he's running for president, not pope.
lol. He is a bishop tho....
Anyone seen a jobs plan?
M.J. as a matter of fact, yes... it is on his site... How about Obama's? Or is his goal welfare for all....
Yep. Many of the folks who commented here are right on the money. The flavors for this week for Romney are "Guns", "God" and "Military".
Romney and his advisers royally screwed up by not mentioning about the sacrifices of US men and women in the military and in Afghanistan during speech in Tampa and now he is trying to make it up. He also screwed up on the foreign policy front. Screwed up taxes and Medicare and on and on.
So, what is left to talk? Go for guns, god and military again. Republicans standard playbook, if they have nothing useful to discuss about.
Romney: "I will be a president, if elected, that honors that pledge and all the pledges that I make".
HaHaHa this is physical impossibility as he already pledged on all possible sides of "for" and "against". How in the world is he going to keep this promise?
rep....now THAT is hysterical.....lol
In another news today, in the past 24 hours, "REALCLEARPOLITICS.COM" has increased Obama's RCP National Average of polling from +0.4 for Obama to +2.9 for Obama. Here are the latest national polling (Obama vs. Romney)
CNN/Opinion Research - Obama 52 vs. Romney 46 - Obama +6
IBD/CSM/TIPP - Obama 46 vs. Romney 44 - Obama +2
Rasmussen (Monday) - Obama 50 vs. Romney 45 - Obama +5
Gallup (Monday) - Obama 49 vs. Romney 44 - Obama +5
Obama with help from Bill Clinton really smashed Romney and Ryan and it shows in the polls. I think Romney has nothing to offer to this country even in this difficult economic situation we are in. I cannot imagine Romney doing well in the debates and coming back. I think this election is all but decided in favor of Obama. Romney is TOAST for all practical purposes.
That photo of the folks from Mansfield, Ohio, sure is impressive. Gee, there must be a good 5 or 6 dozen people watching as Mitzy stands on a picnic table, showing off the shoes he's wearing, which cost more than the annual salaries of the -- no surprise here -- White people who came out to cheer for him.
Is that a rascist slur or an observation in contrast to the polling of Afro-Americans?
"rascist" ???
We're making up how to spell words now?
Mitt stated later tonight that millions come to see him at every event. Paul Ryan seems to have drank the Mitt kool aid and refuses to answer questions or give a coherant answer. What will they do in the debates? Just repeat the moderator's name as if that will suffice to the voters. They don't get that leeway like sister sarah did during her debates.
with a greater than 14% unemployment rate among blacks.....how motivated do you think they will be to come out and vote for Obama this time??? Obama got 95% of the black vote in 2008......current polls show him at 87% of "likely" black voters (that "likely" won't vote).
Why doesn't Willard show his tax returns and go and finish his garage. It is done son. Go home and be with the wife and the horse.
Uh-oh. Romney isn't playing second fiddle but more like fourth kazoo. So much for the campaign being solely about the economy.
yup! Something Obama does not understand! It is anything else but the economy with him. Whatever the new diversion of the week is to run from his record!
Sure, Obama can talk other things --
a) bin Laden
b) record Wall St. profits
c) health insurance access for all
d) saving the American auto industry
e) Lily Ledbetter act
The only plan romney has is the ryan plan. And he knows the country doesnt think too highly of that so he cant say anything about it. At this point, i could really care less if Obama talks about his plan or not. Because i trust Obama to keep things moving forward and i know the ryan plan will be so detrimental to so many people and it will bankrupt the country....the BAIN way!
Mitt Romney will not take the God of Mammon from the Republican platform, from the coins and from his heart.
Social conservative Christians and Mormons for Mammon: Romney-Ryan the promise of God for prosperity and deliverance from a socialist black president. Jesus - the liberal Jewish alternative to the TP GOP social conservatives who think Aynn Rand capitalism is founded on the Bible.
When Jesus said "come follow me" he wasn't talking about your stock speculation or investments in gold, or preaching the right-wing social conservative Christian gospel of prosperity. 2012: a choice to vote for Mammon or a government working for justice and fairness that keeps secular politics and personal religion beliefs separate.
Social conservative Christian evangelicals, no matter how much you dance before the altar of Baal (Mammon), your vote wll not trickle down prosperity, but those of us taking on the mantle of justice, compassion, fairness and decency will flare up the flames of citizenship where we carry the burdens for one another, and where we are our brother's keeper.
well said :)
Barack Hussein Obama ll is not an American, but an Islamic socialist. Born from a Communist mother and socialist father. Raised in Indonesia by his step-father Lolo Soetoro, then later, sent to Hawaii to live with his Communist grandparents. There, Barry Soetoro (only 10 yrs. old) was mentored by a known Communist, Frank Marshall Davis and Barry’s grandparents, until he graduated from high school.
Barry entered Occidental College as Barry Soetoro, an exchange student from Indonesia. Two years later, he enrolled @ Columbia University where Obama networks with Marxist professors/followers, black radicals and Pakistani students.
After graduating from Harvard Law School, Obama meets Bill Ayers, known terrorist and co-founder of the Underground Weather. Obama is inspired by Ayers to run for public office and is supported by the “New Party”, an organization that was originally called the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
Barack Obama’s 20 yr. association with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright had left Obama with many political scars and enhanced Obama’s desire for social order in government.
Today, Barack Obama still claims his devotion to Islam, while mocking Christianity. President Barack Obama plans to cut military spending in half, eliminating 80% of our defense weapons, including nuclear weapons and make the US dependent of energy, especially from petroleum oil. The economy is sliding back into recession, with a good chance to hit rock bottom. If this happens, the free world, as we know it, will be devastated. It will be then when the Islamic nations take over, with the help of Russia, ending democracy.
There is a dark side of Barack Obama that separates his ideals from those who live and believe in “We the People………….”. Form your own opinion, if you like, but mine rests heavily on the future of our great nation.
May God bless America.
You better go watch more FOX...your brainwashing is evident in the nonsense you type.
Are you a member of the Romney Church of LSD?
TopD: wow! You must have been smokin' the joints with Romney and Ryan! Go back to the bong boys and leave the thinking to non-impaired adults.
You are what is wrong with our country. You repeat racist/bigoted innuendos as you lie about him at every turn. Do you truly believe the crap Fox tells you or were you raised to be so ignorant? Every one of your lies show how threatened you are by the scary black man. You need to go to church and ask God for forgiveness for your hatred, and ask him for guidance to be a better christian. In my bible there are commandments and you've broken a few by my count. I guess in your small mind and world, you use these lies to justify your hatred, bigotry, and racism. The nazi's and Hitler used this to great effect to demonize the jewish people and justify their extermination. People like you act no better and your intention is extreme, unjust, and morally wrong on all levels. How do you sleep at night? How can you be so wrong and use God's name as if he condones your lies? I want you to tell me what part of the bible tells you it is ok to bear false witness? How is it you accept a mormon who does not believe in the Virgin Mary and the virgin birth of Jesus Christ? Where in the bible does it grant you your own planet as does mormonism? You lie and call President Obama a muslim when he is a christian then you call him a christian and go the Reverend Wright route? I'm sure tpm gives you the answers.
Mittens and Lyin' Ryan have been sparkin up the doobies WAY too often. They need to just quit and leave leadership to people who can think.
How in the hell are these GOTP governors allowed to make changes to voting rights and the constitution 2 months befor a general election! Any rational thinking judge in the country should send them all packing! Now in florida 11 changes to the constitution will be on the ballot? Youve got to be kidding! My God theyre so pathetically desperate their slimeball ways know no bounds! They certainly didnt have any problems during the primaries...its called cheating!!!!
Romney goes around the country stating he wants to repeal health care reform. It keeps getting more popular, with a poll released 9/10/12 by Rasmussen shows the popularity of health care reform growing. Opposing health care reform is only up by 6 points, a dramatic gain in favor ability. Soon it may be even or ahead, so that you will see even more flip flops by Mitt the twit and Paul the vaginal prober.
Definition of Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results
OBAMA = FAILURE
Definition of Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Expecting supply side economics aka tinkle down economics to reduce the deficit and create a sustained boom economy is ludicrous. Romney is so similar to Bush in his foreign policy and economics it's scary. Add in he has a number of formerly bushed advisers, and it gets downright creepy.
Just what we need-a candidate who espouses Bush policies on steroids. Not even social security or middle class tax breaks such as the mortgage interest deduction are safe from the Romney drive to decrease taxes on the wealthy.
Meet the Press,
Romney says he will include in his health care plan the ability for adults to cover their children no matter how old the children are! Can't this guy get through one interview without screwing up?
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/48978587/#48978587
This guy has to be the biggest screw up to ever run for President.
Excellent point. I was thinking the same thing....and when he dodged the issue of pre-existing conditions (which is one of the more expensive things in Obamacare to begin with) and again doesn't address how he'll pay for it.
I couldn't agree with you more....there is a reason why Romney and his staff usually screens what questions the media can and cannot ask them.
Unemployment in Ohio was 8.9% a year ago, that's a 1.7% drop in a year. I would say something President Obama is doing is working!
Exactly, everytime I hear the conservatives talking about the economy I know they really want to get down to what's really important:
Gawd, Gunzz and de nasty Gayzz. (And forcing women to carry their rapist's baby of course)