Mitt Romney campaigns in Lebanon, adds personal touches

LEBANON, Ohio - As republicans try to clinch a seat in the White House, Mitt Romney made another campaign stop in the buckeye state.

Downtown Lebanon brought in thousands of spectators to the GOP presidential nominee’s speech. Crowds that he says are growing.

But could that mean he is winning over more Ohioans?

"We need Ohio. If we get Ohio we are going to be able to take back America and keep it strong," shouted Romney from the podium.

On the heels of his first presidential debate and days away from his second, the Republican presidential candidate seems to be growing more confident.

“Now about a week ago I had a debate and I did enjoy myself," Romney said as the crowd laughed and cheered.

In front of the historic Golden Lamb Inn in downtown Lebanon, he addressed his five-part plan to get Americans back to work and the economy booming.

“Number one is energy. Number two is trade. Number three; I want to make sure people have the skills they need to be able to work in the jobs of today. Number 4 for me is we’re going to cut federal spending. We are going to cap Federal spending and get us on track to a balanced budget,” said Romney.

Romney says the fifth part of his plan involves cutting taxes for small businesses.

A new business owner in downtown Lebanon, Sabrina Ingram, is paying closer attention to the presidential election.

"I mean we don't have chain restaurants around here. We all depend on each other to support each other and with him getting elected it will help," said Ingram.  She opened 180 Cafe less than four months ago with the money she and her husband had in the bank. Looking to expand, she and her business are in full support of Mitt Romney.

"When we found out he was coming, with the new cafe we could not be any happier being in the location we are in," Ingram said.

During his speech, Romney addressed the fact that the crowds he is greeted by in Ohio keep getting bigger. While polls show President Obama still has a slight lead in the swing state, the crowd in Lebanon felt Romney getting a little more personal. Home videos and family interviews were played on a big screen monitor before he took the stage.

 “We got to back to family and I think the man’s got what appears to be a remarkable family and a remarkable commitment to his family,” said Bill Miller carrying a Mitt Romney sign.

Romney also earned the praise from retired teacher Jerri Grooms because of his stance on teachers unions.

“Get rid of them," Grooms said. "Let the teachers teach the children. That’s all they need to do is teach the children. I think he’s on the right track.”

Romney’s visit to Shawnee State University in southern Ohio and the Golden Lamb Inn & Restaurant in southwest Ohio means the two candidates have been in the state’s five major geographic areas and four largest metro areas this week.