Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Robart opened the night invoking a name you don't hear often on Mitt Romney's campaign trail: George W. Bush. Robart recalled a 2004 rally for Bush in Cuyahoga Falls, and predicted Romney would carry Ohio just as Bush did then.
Chris Christie, who was once a favorite in GOP circles as a possible candidate to take on President Obama, was also one of the few who predicted Romney would shine in his first debate of the general election. As Christie introduced the candidate, leveled an attack directly at the president.
CHRISTIE: "If you can't change Washington from inside the White House, then let's get you the plane ticket back to Chicago you've earned."
Romney continued the attack, saying the President's economic policies have failed to create jobs or reduce the debt. Romney said he would repeal the Affordable Care Act and spare the military from cuts. He closed his speech saying Ohio voters must make an important choice in this election.
ROMNEY: "The soul of America is at stake. This is a time we have to come together and take back America. We're going to do it. Ohio's going to elect me the next president of the United State, and we'll do it together."
Romney has doubled down in Ohio since his debate performance led to gains in national polls. He'll campaign in the western part of the state on Wednesday and in Central Ohio on Friday.
