Fresh from becoming the Republican nominee for President, Mitt Romney brings his campaign to a key part of a key swing state, Cincinnati.
Ohio's 18 electoral votes are among the make-it-or-break-it votes which will determine who takes the white house in November. President Barack Obama has been here this campaign season.
Today, Mitt Romney was here, outlining why he wants to be Commander in Chief.
Local 12's Jeff Hirsh was at the Museum Center for Romney's speech, and also had a one-on-one interview with the candidate.
"You know I was asked why I made Cincinnati the first political stop after the convention and becoming the nominee. I think you are showing the answer here this morning, thank you."
It was no accident that Mitt Romney's first stop after the convention was Cincinnati, no accident at all.
"No Republican has every won the Presidency without winning Ohio and Hamilton County is more critical than ever before because four years ago, Barack Obama carried Hamilton County, the first democrat to do that since L.B.J. in 1964."
I asked the former Massachusetts Governor about his Ohio, the heart of it all strategy.
"How critical is not just Ohio but this very county and this region? Well there's no question that Hamilton County, a strong sendoff in Hamilton County will help me across Ohio and I need to win Ohio to become the next President."
Romney fired up a crowd of some 3,000 people with red meat for what he hopes will become a red state. Blasting President Obama over unemployment, promising to cut the deficit, and a big favorite here.
"I want to get rid of Obamacare and replace it with something that will hold down the cost of health care."
"I think perhaps the biggest hand was when you said you would repeal Obama care, but Obama care is in part based on what you did in Massachusetts. How do you reconcile going after something that you had at least some role in under pinning? Well I very much think what we did in our state was right for our state, but I don't think imposing a plan over the rights of states is the way to go."
Romney also says the affordable care act is not affordable. Something Democrats vehemently deny.
During the Republican primaries, Romney had some problems convincing GOP voters he was a true conservative. That did not seem to be a problem here today.
"I'm backing Mitt Romney obviously. I have a 15-year-old step-daughter who in 4-years will be able to vote and I want her to see what real hope and change are about."
"Is this exciting or is it just, okay dad. It's exciting. I got up pretty early for this."
It was exciting for these loyal Republicans. So hot in fact, that a couple of people were overcome by the sticky humidity inside the terminal.
But most folks thought this was cool. And for the first stop since becoming the Republican Presidential nominee, it appeared Mitt Romney did too.
"I love America. We're going to take the country back."
If you'd like to see Jeff's entire one-one-interview with Mitt Romney, click on the video. The interview covers topics such as health care, cutting the deficit, and the overall tone of the Presidential campaign.
Earlier story...
Less than 24 hours after accepting the Republican nomination for president, Mitt Romney arrived in the Cincinnati area.
He spent the night at The Cincinnatian before holding a rally Saturday morning at Cincinnati Museum Center. Before arriving in Cincinnati, Romney spent time in Louisiana touring areas hit by Hurricane Isaac.
Republican Congressman Steve Chabot and Republican Congressional candidate Brad Wenstrup greeted the Romneys as they exited their plane on Friday.
"For them to come to Cincinnati is certainly our fortune and shows how much Ohio is in play," Wenstrup told Local 12's Angenette Levy.
Chabot said the Romney's quick arrival shows how important the Tri-State is to this year's election.
"Hamilton County is clearly a very important county. Our state's important. Cincinnati's important. And I think both candidates realize that. I think we're going to see a lot from Mitt Romney and Barack Obama this year," he said.
Some polls show Mitt Romney and President Obama running even in the buckeye state.
President Obama will be in Toledo on Monday. He had to cancel a trip to Cleveland so he could travel to Louisiana to check on damage from Hurricane Isaac.
