Obama, Romney Hit Campaign Trail

September 9, 2012

ST PETERSBURG –  Democrat Barack Obama and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, are campaigning in key states, with public opinion polls showing them virtually even. With both parties’ conventions concluded, the two candidates are seeking an advantage in the final two months before the  presidential election.

Obama began a two-day bus tour with a rally near St. Petersburg, Florida. “I honestly believe this is the clearest choice of any time in our generation. Because it is a choice, not just between two candidates or two political parties. This is a choice between two fundamentally different paths for America, two fundamentally different visions for our future,” he said.

Florida is the largest of the so-called swing states, where experts believe the November 6 election will be decided.

The economy is the main issue in this year’s campaign, and Friday’s disappointing report on job creation is not likely to help the president’s cause.

Obama told supporters in Florida his plan for strengthening the economy and reducing unemployment is superior to Romney’s. “All they have got to offer is the same prescriptions that they have had for 30 years: tax cuts, tax cuts, gut a few regulations, some more tax cuts. Tax cuts when times are good, tax cuts when times are bad,” he said.

​​Meanwhile, Romney campaigned Saturday in Virginia, another swing state. At a rally in Virginia Beach, the Republican nominee said the president’s economic plan has not worked.

“And then he went to the Democrat convention and spoke at great length and had a lot of wonderful things to say. But he did not say what he would do to help people get jobs, or come out of unemployment, or to get people that are poor back to the middle class. He does not have a plan. He does not have any ideas. And we have got to make sure he does not have any more days in the White House after January,” he said.

The former Massachusetts governor told the crowd he would abandon proposals to cut the military budget. “We must have a commitment, not just to more ships and more aircraft, but also, in my view, to more members of our armed forces. I will not cut our military. I will maintain our military commitment,” he said.

Pictured top: Barack Obama campaigns in St. Petersburg, Florida, on Saturday. Pictured inset: Mitt Romney campaigns Saturday in Virginia. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

by Kent Klein, VOA

Comments

6 Responses to “Obama, Romney Hit Campaign Trail”

  1. Duke of Wawbeek on September 11th, 2012 7:44 am

    Kathy America must go to war with Iran to protect Israel, Gods Chosen People. We must committ our full eco-military resources to that end alone.

  2. Bob on September 10th, 2012 8:14 pm

    @anonymous
    Thanks for the response. There’s nothing you said that would change my mind to vote for Romney and Jack Ryan.
    Again what are the policys Romney Ryan going to do to help the majority of citizens without bashing Obama and debt?
    Just because you don’t like a canadit or you think there going the wrong way doesn’t give me a reason to change my vote.

  3. anonymous on September 10th, 2012 3:56 pm

    @Bob, thats because Romney doesnt have a plan, his only plan is to get Obama out of office

    We may not be where we could be, but recovery is a slow process. Maybe we are where we were about 4 years ago, but at least we are headed in the opposite direction now.

    Romney has criticized the president on funding cuts for military, but if you arent at war with everyone, then you dont need MORE money going to military and that is how you cut spending, if it isnt needed, dont spend it. Obama has brought our troops back home and is still bringing them home instead of stretching them thin abroad. He has even admitted that if he was in office, we would still be over there and would not be bringing troops home at this time.

  4. Bob on September 9th, 2012 9:49 am

    Just watched Ryan on this week with George. I hope everyone watched it. What I got out of what Ryan is proposing is nothing but entitlement cuts. He won’t commit to what entitlement they will cut. Then he did commit that they would cut business deduction but wouldn’t commit to what deduction. Also Ryan said that Obama wouldn’t work with him. But the way I hear is its Ryan’s way or the highway. Again what are the action there going to do to help the majority of citizens without bashing Obama and debt?

  5. Bob on September 9th, 2012 7:49 am

    Is there anyone that can explain to me what Romney is going to do to change and help the US citizens, in any category without using Obama as a escape goat. Im trying to find out exactly what Romney would do to help all Americans. Leave the US debt out it . The debt has gone up every year since the great depression. How and what can Romney do to help us have that American Dream?

  6. Kathy on September 9th, 2012 6:20 am

    Romney has a plan, why won’t he tell us what it is? He plans a strong military so he can bring war with Syria and and Iran, America has done its share its time to rest and rebuild not be starting new wars.