Obama, Romney Crisscross Nation for Votes

VOA News--- U.S. President Barack Obama begins a two-day campaign tour through a handful of so-called swing states Wednesday, as he and Republican challenger Mitt Romney enter the final stretch of the 2012 presidential election. 

Obama will travel to Nevada, Iowa, Colorado and Florida, plus a trip to Los Angeles for an appearance on the popular television show "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."  Romney will hold rallies in Nevada and Iowa, before heading to the all-important state of Ohio, where he will campaign on Thursday.

With voter opinion polls showing both men in a virtual tie heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic incumbent and the former Massachusetts governor are making a final push to attract any remaining undecided voters. 

At a rally in the southern state of Florida Tuesday, Obama criticized his opponent for apparently changing positions on major issues during their debate Monday on foreign policy.

"But you know what, this is actually something important, this is about trust," said Obama.  "There is no more serious issue in a presidential campaign than trust. The person who leads this country, you've got to have some confidence that he or she means what he or she says."

Romney dismissed the president's comments during a campaign appearance near Las Vegas, Nevada with vice presidential running mate Paul Ryan.

"The president - we've gone through four debates now, we've gone through four debates with the vice presidential debate and my debates - and we haven't heard an agenda from the president," said Romney.  "And that's why his campaign is taking on water and our campaign is full speed ahead."

The states Obama and Romney are visiting could prove crucial in determining who wins the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House.  Romney's visit to Ohio underscores the historical fact that no Republican has won the White House without winning the Midwestern state.