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Barack Obama and Mitt Romney talk economics in Ohio – US politics live Barack Obama and Mitt Romney talk economics in Ohio – US politics live
(40 minutes later)
2.37pm: Overlap: Obama mentions the "boom in natural gas" – the industry, you may recall, that Romney said was finding it impossible to create jobs because of Obama's hostility.
2.37pm: Obama mentions immigration reform – a subject Mitt Romney avoided entirely, as far as I can recall.
2.28pm: Rattling off a few policies, Obama says: "This is the vision I intend to pursue in my second term as president..." before being drowned out by the noise of applause.
BHO going pretty wonky, actually,on budget, actually explaining logic - setup for later ads claiming "Romney will cut X" w/out explanation
Jonathan Bernstein suggests a reason behind Obama's detailed atacks.
2.19pm: So about 16 minutes in, and Obama mentions "Governor Romney" by name for the first time, by way of linking him to current Republican policies such a tax cuts.
Obama is now detailing what proposed Republican cuts of a trillion dollars from the federal budget would mean – in the unlikely event that Republicans could agree on such thing.
Obama is conducting a fairly detailed description of what his opponents' fiscal policies would amount to, more detailed certainly than Romney rather vague assertions.
"If you want to give the policies of the last decade another try, then you should vote for Mr Romney... you should vote for his allies in Congress ... and Mr Romney is qualified to deliver on that plan," says Obama in his most pointed remarks. A nice piece of political jujitsu there – taking Romney's experience line and suggesting he'd use that experience to further a Republican agenda.
2.15pm: "Of course the economy isn't where it needs to be ... everyone knows that," says Obama. "The question in this election is about how we create jobs."
"In this election you have two very different visions of which to choose from," says Obama. "No we don't," shouts one wag in the audience, to laughs.
2.13pm: Obama points out that private sector job creation for the last two years has outstripped "the entire seven years before this crisis". Now, who was president then?
#Obama: Framing election as a chance to break through stalemate, Romney's policies as repeat of George W. Bush.
Oh that guy.
Obama's line about US car manufacturing having recovered gets a surprisingly big cheer – is it a patriotic thing?
2.08pm: "I've said that this is a make-or-break moment for the middle-class, and I believe it," says Obama, getting into his stride.
Now he's breaking down the US's recent economic history, specifically the political victory of tax cuts. "We were told it was OK to put two wars on the nation's credit card".
This worked out "pretty well for the wealthiest Americans," says Obama. "But prosperity never trickled down to the middle class."
Families "were sometimes tricked it taking out risky mortgages," says Obama – although to be honest that was a symptom rather than a cause of the easy credit financial and housing market, pre2007.
2.04pm: Barack Obama starts, to chants of "four more years":
There is one place where I stand in complete agreement with my opponent: this election is about our economic future... more than anything else this election provides a choice between two fundamentally different visions... and most of all about how to generate good, middle class jobs.
On the face of it, Romney doesn't bear comparison as a speaker lined up next to Obama. It's not that Romney is a poor speaker. He can get the job done. But Obama is so much more fluent.
Anyway, this is all very 19th century: battling speeches across America.
2pm: And moments later after Romney finished, things are getting underway in Cleveland, where Barack Obama is speaking shortly.
1.51pm: Fox News also drops Mitt Romney and – unusually – MSNBC is the only channel that sticks with Mitt Romney.1.51pm: Fox News also drops Mitt Romney and – unusually – MSNBC is the only channel that sticks with Mitt Romney.
After a brief segue into the greatness of America's military, Romney goes back to his stump speech Europe-bashing. "For me it's all about good jobs for the American people and a bright and prosperous future," is Romney's peroration.After a brief segue into the greatness of America's military, Romney goes back to his stump speech Europe-bashing. "For me it's all about good jobs for the American people and a bright and prosperous future," is Romney's peroration.
And that's it. Nothing surprising or noteworthy there.And that's it. Nothing surprising or noteworthy there.
1.46pm: "Guess how many trade agreements our president has negotiated? None, none," says Romney. Oh dear, that's just not true. What's this Mitt, chopped liver?1.46pm: "Guess how many trade agreements our president has negotiated? None, none," says Romney. Oh dear, that's just not true. What's this Mitt, chopped liver?
After that, Romney bangs on about cracking down on China and putting tariffs on its imports. No contradiction there, right.After that, Romney bangs on about cracking down on China and putting tariffs on its imports. No contradiction there, right.
And CNN cuts away...And CNN cuts away...
1.39pm: Barack Obama "made it harder to create jobs," says Mitt Romney, speaking in Ohio, although he leaves that there as a bald statement.1.39pm: Barack Obama "made it harder to create jobs," says Mitt Romney, speaking in Ohio, although he leaves that there as a bald statement.
Romney's talking in front of a sign saying "Putting jobs first," although based on the CNN screen it's actually "P_ing jobs first".Romney's talking in front of a sign saying "Putting jobs first," although based on the CNN screen it's actually "P_ing jobs first".
"Almost everything that the president has done has made it harder for entrepreneurs to create jobs," says Romney. Now he lists them: the stimulus. Yes but did it make it harder? It's one thing to say it may not have worked. Next, Obamacare. Which hasn't actually been implemented yet, so unlikely. Romney quotes a "survey" by the American Chamber of Commerce. That's an online "survey," so as useful as a chocolate expresso-maker."Almost everything that the president has done has made it harder for entrepreneurs to create jobs," says Romney. Now he lists them: the stimulus. Yes but did it make it harder? It's one thing to say it may not have worked. Next, Obamacare. Which hasn't actually been implemented yet, so unlikely. Romney quotes a "survey" by the American Chamber of Commerce. That's an online "survey," so as useful as a chocolate expresso-maker.
Go and ask a bank owner how Dodd-Frank regulations has hurt lending, says Romney. What do you mean, you don't know any bank owners?
What else? "Go talk to people into the natural gas world," says Romney – which is mildly hilarious because the gas industry has been adding jobs like gangbusters, so not quite sure what Romney's talking about there.What else? "Go talk to people into the natural gas world," says Romney – which is mildly hilarious because the gas industry has been adding jobs like gangbusters, so not quite sure what Romney's talking about there.
Oh and the XL Pipeline. "If I have to build it myself to get it here I'll do it and get that oil into America," says Romney. Yes, a fantastic boost ... for the Canadian economy.Oh and the XL Pipeline. "If I have to build it myself to get it here I'll do it and get that oil into America," says Romney. Yes, a fantastic boost ... for the Canadian economy.
1.31pm: Oh look it's that Mitt Romney, speaking live, well as live as it gets for Mitt Romney.1.31pm: Oh look it's that Mitt Romney, speaking live, well as live as it gets for Mitt Romney.
1.20pm: By the way, there are only 145 more days until voting on 6 November. And just over 10 weeks until the Republican National Convention in Tampa, starting 27 August. And 10 days until that new Aaron Sorkin series starts on HBO.1.20pm: By the way, there are only 145 more days until voting on 6 November. And just over 10 weeks until the Republican National Convention in Tampa, starting 27 August. And 10 days until that new Aaron Sorkin series starts on HBO.
1.10pm: Interesting: Mitt Romney has moved his speech forward to 1.30pm, to avoid starting five minutes after Obama at 1.45pm today.1.10pm: Interesting: Mitt Romney has moved his speech forward to 1.30pm, to avoid starting five minutes after Obama at 1.45pm today.
#Bracketing 3.0: Romney moves his speech to 1:30, getting ahead of Obama's 1:45 speech#Bracketing 3.0: Romney moves his speech to 1:30, getting ahead of Obama's 1:45 speech
Why? Because the optics – a much smaller crowd for Romney – won't look so bad? Possibly.He'd have been better off waiting half an hour and then doing some proper rebuttal, no?Why? Because the optics – a much smaller crowd for Romney – won't look so bad? Possibly.He'd have been better off waiting half an hour and then doing some proper rebuttal, no?
1pm: From the Department of Alanis Morrisette-style irony, part one:1pm: From the Department of Alanis Morrisette-style irony, part one:
Florida Governor Rick Scott knows what it's like to be told that he's not a registered voter.Florida Governor Rick Scott knows what it's like to be told that he's not a registered voter.
In a radio interview Thursday, Scott said he was forced to cast a provisional ballot because election officials thought he was dead.In a radio interview Thursday, Scott said he was forced to cast a provisional ballot because election officials thought he was dead.
Scott is pushing to have Florida identify and remove non-US citizens from the rolls. He has been defending the push on television and radio. The US Department of Justice has sued to halt the purge.Scott is pushing to have Florida identify and remove non-US citizens from the rolls. He has been defending the push on television and radio. The US Department of Justice has sued to halt the purge.
Reporters kicked out of Romney's talk at the Newseum, a building with a 74-foot-high engraving of the First Amendment. huff.to/Kwrd9gReporters kicked out of Romney's talk at the Newseum, a building with a 74-foot-high engraving of the First Amendment. huff.to/Kwrd9g
Dept of Alanis Morrisette-style irony, part two.Dept of Alanis Morrisette-style irony, part two.
In other news: media reporter has sense of humour failure.In other news: media reporter has sense of humour failure.
12.35pm: The Republican National Committee's research department sends around a par-for-the-course attack memo ahead of Obama's speech today:12.35pm: The Republican National Committee's research department sends around a par-for-the-course attack memo ahead of Obama's speech today:
Today, Obama will deliver another "major speech" on the economy with zero new proposalsToday, Obama will deliver another "major speech" on the economy with zero new proposals
49,928: Number Of Words In Obama's Past "Major Speeches" On The Economy. (The White House, Accessed 6/13/12)49,928: Number Of Words In Obama's Past "Major Speeches" On The Economy. (The White House, Accessed 6/13/12)
10: Number Of "Major Speeches" Obama Has Made On The Economy. (The White House, Accessed 6/13/12)10: Number Of "Major Speeches" Obama Has Made On The Economy. (The White House, Accessed 6/13/12)
0: Number Of New Economic Proposals In Today's "Major" Economic Speech. (Carol Lee and Laura Meckler, "Obama To Revisit Economic Debate," The Wall Street Journal , 6/11/12)0: Number Of New Economic Proposals In Today's "Major" Economic Speech. (Carol Lee and Laura Meckler, "Obama To Revisit Economic Debate," The Wall Street Journal , 6/11/12)
12.23pm: Something for both Romney and Obama to talk about in Ohio could be employment – or the lack of it.12.23pm: Something for both Romney and Obama to talk about in Ohio could be employment – or the lack of it.
Today it was announced that weekly unemployment benefit applications rose 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 386,000, with the four-week average rising to 382,000 – the worst for six weeks.Today it was announced that weekly unemployment benefit applications rose 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 386,000, with the four-week average rising to 382,000 – the worst for six weeks.
AP reports:AP reports:
Joseph LaVorgna, an economist at Deutsche Bank, said the increase in applications was "slightly disconcerting" but added that more data would be needed to establish a trend. Still, he forecasts that the economy will gain only 75,000 jobs this month.Joseph LaVorgna, an economist at Deutsche Bank, said the increase in applications was "slightly disconcerting" but added that more data would be needed to establish a trend. Still, he forecasts that the economy will gain only 75,000 jobs this month.
12.10pm: Meanwhile the atmosphere in Ohio is getting tense:12.10pm: Meanwhile the atmosphere in Ohio is getting tense:
Romney Campaign bus - emblazoned with Romney Campaign logo - is driving around Pres Obama's speech site honking its horn.Romney Campaign bus - emblazoned with Romney Campaign logo - is driving around Pres Obama's speech site honking its horn.
Along these lines of sophisticated campaigning, Mitt Romney's speech may include the devastating "I know you are but what am I?" rebuke to Obama.Along these lines of sophisticated campaigning, Mitt Romney's speech may include the devastating "I know you are but what am I?" rebuke to Obama.
11.44am: The New York Times's Jeff Zeleny hears Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin offer a few soundbites-worth of advice to Mitt Romney:11.44am: The New York Times's Jeff Zeleny hears Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin offer a few soundbites-worth of advice to Mitt Romney:
I don't know that voters are there yet with Governor Romney," Mr Walker said on Thursday. "It doesn't mean that he doesn't talk about it, it doesn't mean that he hasn't thought about it, but I think he's got to have a simple message of not only why we need to replace the current occupant in the White House, but also why he would be better.I don't know that voters are there yet with Governor Romney," Mr Walker said on Thursday. "It doesn't mean that he doesn't talk about it, it doesn't mean that he hasn't thought about it, but I think he's got to have a simple message of not only why we need to replace the current occupant in the White House, but also why he would be better.
11.20am: Americans may not be so angry at former president George Bush that they want to impale his head on a pike – as HBO's Game of Thrones did – but they still blame GWB for the state of the economy, according to a new poll by Gallup:11.20am: Americans may not be so angry at former president George Bush that they want to impale his head on a pike – as HBO's Game of Thrones did – but they still blame GWB for the state of the economy, according to a new poll by Gallup:
Americans continue to place more blame for the nation's economic problems on George W Bush than on Barack Obama, even though Bush left office more than three years ago. The relative economic blame given to Bush versus Obama today is virtually the same as it was last September.Americans continue to place more blame for the nation's economic problems on George W Bush than on Barack Obama, even though Bush left office more than three years ago. The relative economic blame given to Bush versus Obama today is virtually the same as it was last September.
11.03am: Business Week has a long, laudatory and nonetheless interesting profile of Jim Messina, the Obama 2012 campaign manager, including Messina's tutorials from the likes of Steven Spielberg and Steve Jobs:11.03am: Business Week has a long, laudatory and nonetheless interesting profile of Jim Messina, the Obama 2012 campaign manager, including Messina's tutorials from the likes of Steven Spielberg and Steve Jobs:
In two long, private conversations, Steve Jobs tore into Messina for all the White House was doing wrong and what it ought to be doing differently, before going on to explain how the campaign could exploit technology in ways that hadn't been possible before. "Last time you were programming to only a couple of channels," Jobs told him, meaning the Web and email. "This time, you have to program content to a much wider variety of channels — Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, YouTube, Google — because people are segmented in a very different way than they were four years ago." When Obama declared for president, the iPhone hadn't been released. Now, Jobs told him, mobile technology had to be central to the campaign's effort.In two long, private conversations, Steve Jobs tore into Messina for all the White House was doing wrong and what it ought to be doing differently, before going on to explain how the campaign could exploit technology in ways that hadn't been possible before. "Last time you were programming to only a couple of channels," Jobs told him, meaning the Web and email. "This time, you have to program content to a much wider variety of channels — Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, YouTube, Google — because people are segmented in a very different way than they were four years ago." When Obama declared for president, the iPhone hadn't been released. Now, Jobs told him, mobile technology had to be central to the campaign's effort.
10.30am: The Huffington Post's Jon Ward notes that the latest Romney attack ad "Doing Fine?" is a carbon copy of the ad the Obama campaign used in 2008 attacking John McCain that year:10.30am: The Huffington Post's Jon Ward notes that the latest Romney attack ad "Doing Fine?" is a carbon copy of the ad the Obama campaign used in 2008 attacking John McCain that year:
In 2008, the Obama ad quoted McCain saying that "the fundamentals of our economy are strong," and ended with: "How can John McCain fix our economy if he doesn't understand it's broken?"In 2008, the Obama ad quoted McCain saying that "the fundamentals of our economy are strong," and ended with: "How can John McCain fix our economy if he doesn't understand it's broken?"
The Romney ad quotes Obama saying "the private sector is doing fine," and ends with: "How can President Obama fix our economy if he doesn't understand it's broken?"The Romney ad quotes Obama saying "the private sector is doing fine," and ends with: "How can President Obama fix our economy if he doesn't understand it's broken?"
The Romney campaign even used the same music.The Romney campaign even used the same music.
But as a YouTube commenter on the Romney ad put it: "Screw this blame game bullshit. I'm not voting for either of you."But as a YouTube commenter on the Romney ad put it: "Screw this blame game bullshit. I'm not voting for either of you."
10.15am: On today's Ohio speechathon between Obama and Romney:10.15am: On today's Ohio speechathon between Obama and Romney:
Barack Obama: 1.45pm ET – speaks at a campaign event on "two contrasting visions for our economy" at Cuyahoga Community College Metropolitan Campus Recreation Centre, intersection of East 30th Street and Community College Avenue, Cleveland, OhioBarack Obama: 1.45pm ET – speaks at a campaign event on "two contrasting visions for our economy" at Cuyahoga Community College Metropolitan Campus Recreation Centre, intersection of East 30th Street and Community College Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio
Mitt Romney: 1.50pm ET – "delivers remarks" at Seilkop Industries, 425 West North Bend Road, Cincinnati, OhioMitt Romney: 1.50pm ET – "delivers remarks" at Seilkop Industries, 425 West North Bend Road, Cincinnati, Ohio
According to Google Maps, the two venues are about 240 miles apart. "It is believed to be the first time in this cycle that both candidates will be in the same state at precisely the same time," says the LA Times.According to Google Maps, the two venues are about 240 miles apart. "It is believed to be the first time in this cycle that both candidates will be in the same state at precisely the same time," says the LA Times.
9.45am: Mitt Romney and Barack Obama go head to head – in place and time if not in person – this afternoon, with dueling speeches on the US economy in Ohio, a crucial swing state in the 2012 presidential elections.9.45am: Mitt Romney and Barack Obama go head to head – in place and time if not in person – this afternoon, with dueling speeches on the US economy in Ohio, a crucial swing state in the 2012 presidential elections.
The two men will be speaking almost simultaneously, with Obama starting at 1.45pm and Romney at 1.50pm – although it would have been more sensible for Romney to wait and offer instant rebuttal once Obama had finished.The two men will be speaking almost simultaneously, with Obama starting at 1.45pm and Romney at 1.50pm – although it would have been more sensible for Romney to wait and offer instant rebuttal once Obama had finished.
Here's Ryan Devereaux with a summary of the latest developments:Here's Ryan Devereaux with a summary of the latest developments:
• Barack Obama and Mitt Romney will offer their competing visions of how to fix the economy to voters in Ohio today. The two men will deliver speeches at nearly identical times in the battleground state, with the president appearing at a Cleveland community college and Romney at a manufacturing company in Cincinnati. Their appearances will prefigure the central debate of the 2012 election as Obama attempts to sell people on the notion of a crucial choice between his economic ideas and his challenger's. Romney, meanwhile, will attempt to seize on the nation's slow job growth as a sign of the president's failure and lay out his top priorities for his first 100 days in office.• Barack Obama and Mitt Romney will offer their competing visions of how to fix the economy to voters in Ohio today. The two men will deliver speeches at nearly identical times in the battleground state, with the president appearing at a Cleveland community college and Romney at a manufacturing company in Cincinnati. Their appearances will prefigure the central debate of the 2012 election as Obama attempts to sell people on the notion of a crucial choice between his economic ideas and his challenger's. Romney, meanwhile, will attempt to seize on the nation's slow job growth as a sign of the president's failure and lay out his top priorities for his first 100 days in office.
• Romney launched a new attack ad this morning targeting a gaffe Obama made last week when he said the private sector is "doing fine". The Romney team posits the following questions in the video: ""The private sector is doing fine? How can President Obama fix our economy if he doesn't understand it's broken?"• Romney launched a new attack ad this morning targeting a gaffe Obama made last week when he said the private sector is "doing fine". The Romney team posits the following questions in the video: ""The private sector is doing fine? How can President Obama fix our economy if he doesn't understand it's broken?"
• Meanwhile, the pro-Obama Super PAC, Priorities USA Action, has launched another ad targeting Romney's tenure at the private equity firm, Bain Capital. With clips of local news coverage and tag line that reads "If Mitt Romney wins, the middle class loses.", the ad makes the case that while "Bain doubled its $10 million investment … workers in New Hampshire lost their jobs as the company consolidated its operations overseas."• Meanwhile, the pro-Obama Super PAC, Priorities USA Action, has launched another ad targeting Romney's tenure at the private equity firm, Bain Capital. With clips of local news coverage and tag line that reads "If Mitt Romney wins, the middle class loses.", the ad makes the case that while "Bain doubled its $10 million investment … workers in New Hampshire lost their jobs as the company consolidated its operations overseas."
• Forbes magazine has revealed billionaire Republican backer, Sheldon Adelson and his wife have already donated $10m to the GOP's leading Super PAC and are willing and able to spend much, much more. According to the article, a well-placed source in the Adelson camp with direct knowledge of the casino billionaire's thinking says that further donations will be "limitless."• Forbes magazine has revealed billionaire Republican backer, Sheldon Adelson and his wife have already donated $10m to the GOP's leading Super PAC and are willing and able to spend much, much more. According to the article, a well-placed source in the Adelson camp with direct knowledge of the casino billionaire's thinking says that further donations will be "limitless."
• A group of fashion industry leaders will gather at the Greenwich Village home of Sarah Jessica Parker tonight to raise money for the president re-election efforts. The occasion will be co-hosted by Vogue magazine editor Anna Wintour and will cost $40,000 per plate to attend. The guest list includes some highly notable New York City celebrities, such as era Wang, Michael Kors, Kenneth Cole, Andrew Rosen of Theory and Millard Drexler of J Crew.• A group of fashion industry leaders will gather at the Greenwich Village home of Sarah Jessica Parker tonight to raise money for the president re-election efforts. The occasion will be co-hosted by Vogue magazine editor Anna Wintour and will cost $40,000 per plate to attend. The guest list includes some highly notable New York City celebrities, such as era Wang, Michael Kors, Kenneth Cole, Andrew Rosen of Theory and Millard Drexler of J Crew.
• And finally, get ready to set your VCRs or Tivos or whatever because this weekend Mitt Romney is expected to make his first non-Fox News Sunday talk show appearance, by sitting down for CBS News's Face the Nation.• And finally, get ready to set your VCRs or Tivos or whatever because this weekend Mitt Romney is expected to make his first non-Fox News Sunday talk show appearance, by sitting down for CBS News's Face the Nation.