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Obama campaign co-chair and former Gov. Ted Strickland (D-OH) joins Alan to respond to Mitt Romney’s latest campaign tactics.
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Welcome former Ohio governor Ted Strickland played -- -- sir thank you went on the program tonight.
Happy vision for him if you've been a minister a psychologist a professor member of congress and a governor.
And as -- as a former governor Ohio through the perfect person to talk to about this.
The story came out.
That the Romney campaign is suggesting.
To.
Florida and governors -- not to tout how good the economy is because they've got a different message even though the economy in some states.
Including yours might be getting better.
Which your reaction.
Oh well I think that's -- people quite frankly.
As a man who wants to be the president of this country.
Mitt Romney should be rejoicing and he hears good economic news -- fears that people are going back to work.
And I'm happy for Florida to see an improvement in their economy and I can tell you -- Ohio's economy is better.
If if if we're have a question proposed to -- -- it's a well thought I -- economy better now that was when president Barack Obama was sworn into office I would say absolutely -- -- But -- -- has -- case sickening credit for them.
Well John Kasich is taking credit for -- that -- one I don't want to you know say he.
It is in no way responsible for Ohio's improved economy about to argue this.
If the president had not rescue the American auto industry.
And save thousands and thousands of jobs in Ohio.
That -- GM and Chrysler.
-- jobs as well as the supply -- jobs.
Ohio's economy would not be in nearly is -- is that is are an important it would be much higher.
Than it is today and Ohio Clinton appointments started coming down -- -- can.
And so the president dissolves much of the -- credit for what's happening in Ohio.
And I think all pilots recognize that and in my judgment -- that issue.
Will be perhaps the deciding issue regarding which candidate Ohio when you vote for -- November and I think I think the president.
Deserves -- credit and I think.
Whole -- will give him the Chris.
That seems like a lot of swing states we're having -- turnaround.
I -- a remarkable if it's true that the Romney campaign.
The way it would say to a governor they tone it down -- I would have good things are being becoming because it hurts my campaign although supposedly he didn't say that the governor Casey.
Well you know repeated that the -- -- -- -- -- -- -- yes you know we challenge this excuse.
Because that got -- -- think obviously once they get credit for.
An improved economy but you know how I feel that that apparently -- a little different than them you know the governor Romney I celebrate.
Improvement in the economy.
I don't you know I I don't really care.
As much about who's getting credit for it as the fact that it's important that people are.
Perhaps having more hopeful -- they're getting jobs the economy is slowly coming back.
Now in my judgment as -- -- -- earlier I think.
The president gets the lion's share of the credit but let's just share the credit.
But for goodness -- -- Mitt Romney should not be talking down the economy and he should not be encouraging.
-- governor Scott or anyone's.
To talk down the economy simply.
That make it more likely that he knew what would be elect.
Part of the Republican main part of the Republican mean has been that we have to change things because Obama's failing and yet we've had 21 months in a row.
-- job growth Obama inherited.
Little loss of 750000.
Jobs a month we've seen -- -- we -- like -- turnaround faster.
But why would we change in mid course they seem to be in denial about whether or nothing -- -- in the right direction.
-- they just want to win and and you know some of these -- say.
What ever they need to stay in order to try to win they'll twist the facts.
But the truth is that President Obama came into office as she says.
During a month.
When we lost nearly 800000 jobs.
And he immediately went to work he passed the Recovery Act which kept police officers and teachers firefighters on the job.
Being enabled us to hold down college to wish it.
And and and kept us from sliding in in into a deep deep pressure.
So he stopped the bleeding and did he went to work to try to start the rebuilding process.
And and about part of what he did was -- the American auto industry.
And invest in the things that are really important in terms of long time long term economic.
And they -- -- -- and GM has paid back or begun that they paid back most of it is I understand and set for the first time -- -- a couple of quarters now in a -- profitability.
Absolutely and you know and Mitt Romney.
Who was governor presided over a state that was 47 in the nation in terms of job creation.
Do outsource jobs to India rather than higher Massachusetts the citizens to do the call center jobs.
And and -- and and now.
He's trying to at least get some of the credit for the auto.
Yeah and then immediately typically -- and it was almost laughable because he tried to take credit.
Saying the president really did what it's just find -- remarkable couldn't believe he says that total distortion at night you know I think given perhaps even Fox News kind of -- -- for that.
But I'm and he said he wanted to managed bankruptcy that's not what President Obama did.
Well and and and and he did not want the government.
To be a part of the solution.
But Mitt Romney Newt because even being capital I'm told.
Was not interested in and helping the auto industry at that time the private sector.
Was not going to intervene they did not have the resources things were too threatening to them and it was only the president's action.
Yes this involvement on the part of the federal government that enables the auto industry.
GM and Chrysler.
Two you in -- to do what they had to do to restructure.
And and today.
Allen -- Toledo Ohio Chrysler is investing millions of dollars and creating hundreds of new jobs.
And over and and that more channel -- -- -- Youngstown Ohio they're working three ships that -- building mission -- -- -- those jobs would not be.
-- -- -- And those communities would be separate.
And not only that -- but -- supply chain.
The supply chain is so important.
-- Ohio that we believe perhaps one in out of every -- Jobs in Ohio he is related.
To the auto industry in some way so it was a huge deal the president took the action.
And Mitt Romney opposed it and quite frankly senator Rob Portman -- Clinton and now governor John -- at the time the post that that the president.
Stood up to that kind of opposition he said he said no to the naysayers he's -- yes to the workers.
And -- the communities that were involved in as a result we're seeing manufacturing rebound.
We're seeing these jobs grow.
-- feeling it though governor -- have -- former you know Ohio governor Ted Strickland -- people.
I think getting that message -- something tells me that that is somehow -- resonating with enough people that these turnarounds are taking place.
Well I think it is you know I think it will over time Alan.
-- -- highlands are acutely aware.
What the president has done to help our economy and as I said especially in those communities -- the auto industry is so important.
But about about eighty out of Ohio's 88 counties.
Have jobs that are related to the auto industry so it's pervasive in Ohio and and Michigan and and you know and several other states.
But I believe that this campaign unfolds.
And -- people come to see the clear differences between Mitt Romney and president Barack Obama.
They're you know their attitude toward job creation -- -- Mitt Romney wants to cut taxes for the very wealthy.
And -- want to take aspect of the Bush Administration policies which led to the depression.
And that's all I'm hearing from him you know he's he says he wants to create jobs but he's not laying out -- -- plan for how he's going to do it -- there and he's going to get greater regulation -- he's gonna cut taxes.
And and quite frankly he -- signed on Allen to there.
Paul Ryan budget we know we know what their budget does that budget actually.
Will lead to any increase on middle class families -- pay more taxes are cutting taxes for the rich it's not a job creation plan.
Does the president win Ohio.
I think the president's gonna win Ohio I think it'll be very close election.
Ohio one of those.
Sweet swing states.
And -- 0000.
I had a very unique state I think in that.
What we have a little bit of everything.
Within our state borders that exists in the larger country we are very diverse state.
And we are states where no politician and no political party can take that vote for granted you've got to work for it in Ohio.
The president has an amazing.
Campaign -- structure in place in Ohio.
We have already -- well over 32.
-- him maybe up to 36.
A campaign offices and local communities.
There people knocking on doors even now talking to neighbors and so one.
And it'll be a close election but I think.
My prediction is about eleven and 47 on election night.
Bill I was going to be -- for Barack Obama.
1147.
And when that happened out there is no path to victory -- -- rob you're not you're the Bellwether state museum whoever wins Ohio seems wins right younger than I.
Think so I mean and I think it is technically possible.
For the president to win the presidency.
Without winning Ohio but I do not believe it's possible for mr.
Romney to win the presidency without winning all -- you -- make Ohio the battleground -- governor again.
You know I don't know.
My my attention right now directed toward helping sinister -- brown -- one of my closest friends on earth that's.
I want to help senator brown to be reelected to the senate he's a great sinister.
So I'm trying to help senator brown and certainly trying to help the president be reelected.
But you're looking at the possibility that you'll have a rematch perhaps a couple years.
Well off the site that after the November election but before.
Adept at the beginning of the new year so during that period of time -- -- at mammoth.
My friends and family and advisors and community leaders and so -- support the Mets that's -- I'll make that decision that.
I can -- -- right now as far as I'm concerned.
This election is so important that.
None of my attention or -- detentions.
My friends and supporters should be directed toward doing anything.
Other than helping president Barack Obama -- win.
And Ohio governor appreciate -- the opportunity tucked it and -- -- so much for your time.
-- -- and I hope you have a great evening it's not your listeners as well thank you sir thanks very much former.
