Sen. Rob Portman on final days of 2012 race

This transcript is automatically generated

Now Ohio senator and Romney surrogate Rob Portman senator I don't know of anybody other than Ann Romney who has spent more time on the campaign trail.

With Mitt Romney did you I mean you really have been out there.

He was at the top of his game here tonight -- -- was -- to great message positive.

Uplifting.

The vision for the future -- think it's exactly the way to close.

In Colorado and Ohio and around the country I think people really appreciate that I have noticed that he's not attacking the president he's not talking.

So much about what's wrong with the Barack Obama -- brings up the contrast.

But like -- close with the Boy Scouts and the flag what are you -- on the campaign trail to -- -- eat your wisdom almost every day so.

Haven't -- the moods that you've seen them on the crowds changed over the last couple of weeks actually.

They have governor and I think it changed partly because the debate you know -- -- got a lot more energized and as I've told you earlier than the five -- rallies today around Ohio we've had never seen crowds like this have never seen the kind of enthusiasm and energy on our side.

Last night we had a rally with Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.

Outside of Cincinnati Ohio 30000 people showed up well and they were as boisterous as this crowd in Colorado we saw tonight.

They're really excited they're -- about a fresh start excite about what he's talking about you know.

I was amazed at his energy level I was sitting here thinking and you and I were talking that.

I think we're both more tired and he seems to be but -- -- -- campaigning.

Every day -- he's got a passion for.

And as you said he's got the adrenaline now in his last two and a half days but he really has a strong view that America's on the wrong track and that he can turn around and he's so committed to it and you know he's got a very strong following here -- -- gonna win this election because of Ohio is critical to the election.

You've traveled all over the state and you know what as well as anybody you've -- a congressman you've been -- United States senator.

Four Ohio this is your home state.

How do you see this stuff coming down Tuesday well while some purple state -- either red or blue and you know Barack Obama won the state last time by almost five points.

George Bush won twice Bill Clinton won it twice so we go back and forth.

But this year I think the polls are very close I think we're close to a dead heat but it got a little advantage.

And it's an energy enthusiasm that I talked about earlier that we see on the campaign trail.

I believe we've got a really good ground game in place but hopefully it's about the passion in the heart of the volunteers I spent a lot of time with them today it was a to call centers where I make also.

I think we're gonna win this I think it's going to be close but I think at the end of the day to be victory in Ohio and so goes Ohio -- more likely so goes the country it's certainly has been that way -- -- -- -- Would you talk about that that is it is tight but tipping one way or the other is it an issue.

Or is it the emotion of the voters and just the intensity that you think.

Put Ohio in the Romney column police a top issue in Ohio which is a tough issue around the country which is jobs and the economy.

And the concern here in Ohio is that all the we're doing a little better than the national average is Mary talked about earlier thanks for the good -- -- -- John Kasich has done in the Republican legislator.

Things are still rough here in Ohio you know we're still on the wrong track.

We still have a lot more potential we can achieve with leadership from Washington.

And people understand that I mean I was with a bunch of voters today who.

You know are Republicans or Democrats folks were showing up for the first time ever to make calls from the go to victory senator.

What they're saying is we just can't afford another four years like the last four.

And they're looking for some opportunity for themselves believe for the kids.

And that's what I see out there and Mitt Romney is offered again a positive plan for the future.

The president has offered more of the same.

And so these voters in Ohio who are undecided who are more independent voters.

Are looking at these two candidates right now and they see Mitt Romney offering a fresh approach it's gonna help get Ohio the country back on track.

And they see Barack Obama offering what's gotten us into this mess in the first place here in the last four years.

So hurt so much controversy about what happened in the -- we still don't really know the story changes almost every day.

Your senator you have a right to ask for information but you're you and your colleagues aren't getting many answers.

It hasn't seemed to to capture the attention of the news media.

As far as this election is concerned but are you troubled that we don't know what happened in -- -- and we aren't getting.

Clear concise and consistent answers from.

The State Department formed the White House and other elements of the administration.

Very troubled and governor you know talks little about this but -- shocking.

Operational breakdown not to have the security in place after what we've now found were explicit request for more security.

And then during this seven hour firefight that terrible night Ben -- not to come to the aid of fellow Americans.

Including an ambassador.

The first one assassinated since 1979.

We need answers I'm on the armed services committee should know I sent a letter to secretary Panetta asking about what the DOD the Department of Defense had done.

I didn't get an answer -- and another in which John McCain more recently.

More importantly than the armed services committee in the congress getting answers the American people have a right to know.

So we'll see what happens so I think just the last couple days have seen a little more interest among -- the -- looking at this issue because it truly is.

A shocking breakdown.

On the operational side but also after the fact.

Misleading the American people about what happened and so I I think you're gonna start to see more interest in this and I hope we can get to the bottom of a very quickly is there a reason that governor Romney has not made that.

A bigger issue.

In the waning days of campaign.

Well he's talked about its own but I think he's allowed surrogate so like you need to talk about it more folks who.

-- on the armed services committee like Senator McCain senator Lindsey Graham of that are crippling job raising the issue being sure that -- explicit about you know what the answers are we're looking for.

And look I I think the American people know that -- something amiss here there's something very wrong when you have Americans in harm's way.

And folks are not responding coming to their aid this despite their please I also think that what happened in -- Ghazi.

Unfortunately as an example of the spread of Islamic extremism.

Around North Africa.

The Horn of Africa the Middle East which runs contrary to what the president is saying including on the campaign trail just yesterday I heard him say that.

You know al-Qaeda is on the run they're on the ropes.

That you know that we've taken care this problem and essence unfortunately that's not true.

But the reality is we still face a lot of dangers around the world which is why we need a military second to none.

And one of the issues that.

Come running just talk about a lot -- -- fact that if he's elected he will not cut the military.

If President Obama is reelected.

He has said his own budget he wants to cut the military -- half a trillion dollars and then in the sequestration another half trillion dollars so that's one of the big distinctions in this race.

Because you have spent more time with him probably then again anyone on the campaign trail other than him.

Was there a moment during the campaign that you saw.

The switch go on and Mitt Romney become the candidate we're seeing tonight where all the cylinders are all are -- well I think -- love.

Debates because the debates were -- him for him to frankly go around the attack ads until the American people very directly -- is and what he stands for.

That's when he did well and so I think that was the moment so was a -- -- -- more confidence on his part because he had that opportunity but it was mostly you know going around the media going around with people were hearing about who he was.

And being able to tell the American people directly here Ohio we -- know we are being outspent.

All summer into the fall by three to one on the campaign ads.

In the Obama campaign ads were pretty effective and very negative.

And so the image of governor Romney was not an accurate -- he was able to get around those missed characterizations.

Misperceptions about what his policies were and do it correctly and that's made all the difference.

That's another it's a delight to have you here thank you so much -- -- you're worn out and for you to be here tonight it means a lot thanks so much for your fans earlier today some of these stops and I know you know they'll appreciate what you do.

With the show and then all you're doing -- -- country for so many candidates thank you well if I have fans made their tribe in.

Watch Live

Sen. Rob Portman on final days of 2012 race

Details

Clips

Latest News

Army wife gives soldier big surprise

What did administration know about IRS scandal and when?

Bloomberg: Skip college, become a plumber

New program turns military training into college degree

Is Obama a bystander or observer?

Will Washington scandals derail Wall Street run?

DOJ's dangerous move on journalism

IRS gets vast new powers under ObamaCare

Time to rethink the IRS?

Rep. Trey Gowdy: 'I want to know everything that happened'

Actress Alison Sweeney pens Tinseltown novel

Scandals impact Obama's second term agenda

Transcript

Recommended