In Ohio, Romney praises debate partner Portman
Vandalia, Ohio (CNN) – It’s a state that went for President Barack Obama in 2008, but Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are hoping Ohio will vote Republican this time around – after all, no Republican has advanced to the White House without winning the Buckeye State.
“I got my lucky Buckeye. My buddy Rob Portman gave me this lucky Buckeye. It means we are going to win Ohio,” Ryan, the GOP vice presidential nominee, said on Tuesday as he shared the stage with Romney and Portman, a U.S. Senator from Ohio.
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The Republican ticket appeared together for a joint rally outside of Dayton as part of the campaign’s “Stronger Middle Class” bus tour through the battleground state. Romney and Ryan are slated to appear at separate events for most of the tour.
The latest CNN Poll of Polls in Ohio shows Obama with a six point edge over Romney, 50%-44%. Rich Beeson, a Romney adviser, said Tuesday the GOP effort was confident it could still take the state.
“There’s still 42 days to go. We are by any stretch inside the margin of error in Ohio. And the Obama campaign is going to have some problems there,” Beeson said.
At Tuesday’s rally, thousands of people gathered on an airport tarmac in Vandalia to see the running mates together. They were also joined on stage by Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who appeared with Ryan earlier in the day at a rally in Cincinnati.
The former governor of Massachusetts was appropriately wearing a jacket in Ohio State-red, but his outerwear also honored another crucial swing state: it bore the logo of Daytona International Raceway, in Florida.
Portman, who has been playing Obama in weekend debate preparations with Romney, has been filling the role well, the White House hopeful said.
Referring to Portman, Romney told the crowd, “He plays Barack Obama. Can you believe that? He does. He plays Barack Obama. He plays him well, too, I hate to tell you. We get the chance to debate one another and after the hour and a half or so is over, I want to kick him out of the room. He is so good.”
Romney suggested when he goes up against the actual president at their first debate next week, his own policy positions and arguments will trump good debate skills.
“Actually when he gets finished he says, ‘You beat me again, you beat me again,’” Romney said, referring again to Portman. “He likes my arguments, you see. He is a better debater but he likes my arguments better, he knows they are right.”
The last time Romney and Ryan appeared at an event together was in Lakeland, Florida, on August 31, right after the three-day Republican National Convention in Tampa. The presidential running mates did a number of interviews together before they went their separate ways on Tuesday afternoon.
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Listen to Romney at the pulpit
Romeny does not really sound like politican – he actully sounds like a Mormon preacher – preaching to the convertes – there is nothing wrong with church and preaching
BUT I do not think the USA is looking for a president PREACHER this time around
watch Romeny when he talks at the debate you will see what I mean
Not a chance of that happening ,with the worst gop ticket evvvvvvver !!!!!!
in your dreams mr. potato head
They probably locked the gate and wouldn't let the people out without a picture id!!!!!!
“Actually when he gets finished he says, ‘You beat me again, you beat me again,’” Romney said, referring again to Portman. “He likes my arguments, you see. He is a better debater but he likes my arguments better, he knows they are right.”
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Really? This line is so staged it belongs in Hollywood. The truth is, Willard is so nervous and scared, he's trying to create an overly confident impression and is FAILING miserably. The whole country knows he's been practicing more than any other candidate in history because well, HE NEEDS TO. Not only will the president wipe that crazy, far away look off his face, he'll make him back up EVERY lie he's every spewed to the American public and I can't wait.
President Obama 3 and 0 against Willard.
They are worried they didn't lie cheat and steal enough to win?
LOL, maybe you should debate Portman, 'cause President Obama is going to eat you alive. I hope he pins your butt down about how you will improve the economy. It's time to come up with some facts.
For a minute there I thought that was GW Bush not Rob Portman , giving his support to the boys from 47%.
Just reminds me of one of those ," Mission Accomplished " or " Heck of a Job Brownie " moments .
Same Rob Portman that was McCain debate partner in 2008. Repubs, please do remind this board, just for simple amusement how those debates went?
6 More weeks and Willard will be no longer relevant. The final nails in the coffin for the Cheney Wing of the Repubs starts next Wednesday Night.
Arrogant, elitist, self-entitled, lying, pandering shape-shifter. There is nothing more un-American than voting for Willard Romney. I was a Republican in the early 80's, and after educating myself, and watching the GOP running counter to all my beliefs, I'll never vote Republican again. Straight Democrat tickets are the only answer to move the country forward, and that's a fact.
“I got my lucky Buckeye. My buddy Rob Portman gave me this lucky Buckeye. It means we are going to win Ohio,”
Ryan is betting Ohio on a lucky nut? One with a high content of bitter acid? Ok, then.
Ohio voters are unusually split 50% rural, 50% urban, where GOP supporters are concentrated in the rural areas. For this reason, Romney needs someone who connects with the townsfolk. Rick Santorum is someone who has proven to be likeable among this bloc. For this reason, I think Romney needs Santorum, not Portman, to stump for him in the rural areas if he wants to win Ohio.
Ryan was a big mistake. Should have snagged Portman for VP.
“I got my lucky Buckeye. My buddy Rob Portman gave me this lucky Buckeye. It means we are going to win Ohio,” Ryan, the GOP vice presidential nominee, said on Tuesday as he shared the stage with Romney and Portman, a U.S. Senator from Ohio.
Uh um,not if Ohio has anything to say about it ! Rookie Ryan thinks because he has a lucky Buckeye that the people of Ohio will believe all his lies and vote for Romney,he really has a lot to learn
If Romney was winning his trial debates with Portman,I don't think he would playfully want to kick him out of the room.We know what could make us feel like kicking some guy,you know it?Yeah,when the guy makes a sucker out of us,got it?
Aside from “coaching,” to prepare for a debate one needs to read, reflect, and most importantly, to write, and write - starting with just about anything.
Neither candidate can do this when bouncing from place to place, or when constantly at the beck and call of others.
Both President Obama and Governor Romney should, therefore, tell their handlers to let them be - so they can rest, collect their thoughts, and reflect on the issues facing our country.
We expect a good debate next Monday and they should try to deliver.
Despite the polarized electorate, this election transcends politics and is ultimately one about the future of our country.
OH will be in a mess no matter who wins the Pres or Senate race this year. That is due to poor candidate choices.