Photographer: WCPO
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 08/31/2012
CINCINNATI - Ohio's prominent place in presidential politics is once again on full national display with Saturday’s planned campaign visit to Cincinnati by newly-minted GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
Just hours following the end of a Republican National Convention that saw Romney formally accept the party's nomination, he will touch down late Friday afternoon at Lunken Airport and then hold a campaign rally Saturday at the Cincinnati Museum Center, with doors opening at 8 a.m. and the event beginning at 10 a.m. The visit is yet another indication of the importance of Ohio, a must-win state for GOP candidates. No Republican has ever won the White House without taking Ohio, a toss-up state also coveted by President Barack Obama.
Ohio is used to its place in presidential politics. Voters will recall that following the 1992 Democratic Convention, Bill Clinton and Al Gore made a bus swing through the state, campaigning in Wilmington. And residents of The Buckeye State surely have not seen the last of Mitt Romney and Barack Obama.
Expect Romney to continue the themes he focused on during his Thursday night acceptance speech in Tampa – jobs.
“I am running for president to help create a better future. A future where everyone who wants a job can find one," he said Thursday. "Where no senior fears for the security of their retirement. An America where every parent knows that their child will get an education that leads them to a good job and a bright horizon.”
"What America needs is jobs, lots of jobs," Romney added.
Polls show voters believe Romney would be more effective that Obama when it comes to handling the economy. The jobs message also allows Romey to turn the attention to the economy and away from social issues and heated campaign rhetoric over topics such as the release of his tax returns.
But look for Romney to also continuing opening up and letting voters know more about who he is. The electorate likes to know their politicians, and Thursday night Romney talked about his personal life. The candidate who can often seem stiff choked up a couple of times Thursday night while talking about his family. Romney even talked about his Mormon religion, a topic he has largely avoided in the past.
"You need to know more about me and where I will lead the country," he said.
Tickets for the event are sold out, but you can watch it in its entirety as 9 News will stream the event LIVE on WCPO.com and in the 9 News app.
Patrick Crowley is a political contributor for 9 News. Read Crowley’s bio at http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/about_us/patrick-crowley-bio .
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.