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President Barack Obama spoke to a crowd of 4,000 at Springfield High School this afternoon. He concluded his speech at 1:49 p.m.
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The following is coverage of the event and Obama’s speech comments.
3 p.m.: The President has boarded Air Force One and departed.
1:49 p.m.: Obama concluded his speech with, "God bless you; God bless America," and is shaking hands with people as he exits the gymnasium.
1:46 p.m.: "I have a lot of fight left in me," Obama said. "I hope you aren't tired either, Ohio."
1:44 p.m.: In speaking about bipartisanship, Obama said when "Don't Ask Don't Tell" was repealed, some courageous Republican senators stood up. He said he admired them, and he is "willing to work with anyone" to make things happen.
1:43 p.m.: "I'm betting on you," Obama said. "I'm betting on the decency of the American people."
1:42 p.m.: "You can't just reduce the deficit on the backs of the middle class; on the backs of the poor," Obama said when speaking about tax cuts. "I'm not gonna make it more expensive for people to go to college just to pay for a millionaire's tax cuts … that's not who we are … that's not real change."
1:40 p.m.: Obama talks about the military and says no one serving the country should have to fight to find a job when they return from service.
1:38 p.m.: "Don't tell me students who want to go to college should borrow more money from their parents. That wasn't an option for me … That's why I want to recruit 100,00 math and science teachers, so our kids don't fall behind the rest of the world," Obama said.
1:37 p.m.: "This school we are in right now" is an example of a school making great strides, Obama said of Springfield High School.
1:36 p.m.: Obama says, "I know what real change looks like because I fought for it. Right along side of you."
1:35 p.m.: Assistant Fire Chief Brian Miller for the City of Springfield told the Springfield News-Sun there are 4,000 people at the rally.
1:33 p.m.: Obama said Romney has a tough time hearing Ohio because he doesn't want to save the auto industry.
1:32 p.m.: Obama sais Romney has been "massaging the facts" to make them "convenient" to his campaign.
1:31 p.m.: Romney has been trying to "repackage these ideas" and when you "look at the policies, theya re the same ones that didn't work," Obama said. "What he's sellin' ain't working," he said.
1:30 p.m.: "We tried giving big tax cuts to the wealthied Americans … and what did we get? We got falling incomes, record deficits …" Obama said. "We tried our ideas, they work. We tried their ideas … didn't work."
1:29 p.m.: "Don't boo … vote," Obama said after making a remark about Romney and hearing the crowd boo. "Voting is the best revenge."
1:28 pm.: "We also beilieve that our economy does better, our businesses do better when everyone is given a chance to succeed," he said. "We believe America is stronger when everyone can count on affordable healthcare."
1:27 p.m.: "In four days, Springfield, just four days …. four days for four years … in four days you've got a choice to make," he said.
1:26 p.m.: The crowd is chanting, "Four more years, four more years."
1:25 p.m.: "The reason all of you are here today is because we know we've got more work to do," Obama said. "As long as there's a child anywhere in this country who is languishing in poverty … our job is not yet done."
1:23 p.m.: Obama is speaking about recovery efforts along the East Coast following Hurricane Sandy.
1:16 p.m.: A Springfield H.S. English teacher, also a single mother, is speaking about balancing responsibilities outside of work.
1:15 p.m.: Reports indicate Obama will likely speak around 1:30 p.m. The fire marshall reports the overflow crowd is in an auxiliary gymnasium. There is an estimated 3,500 people on campus to see the President give his speech.
1:10 p.m.: News Center 7's Jim Otte reports someone went up to the stage and adjusted the presidential seal on the podium, and the crowd erupted in applause. The president has not entered the gymnasium yet and may be speaking to those in the overflow space first.
1 p.m.: Mark Bruce reports guests are waiting to hear from Obama now, he has not taken the stage yet.
12:40 p.m.: News Center 7's Mark Bruce said President Obama is on campus at Springfield High School and will speak momentarily.
Noon: President Obama has left Columbus and the motorcade is on its way to Springfield for the rally.
11:35 a.m.: The Springfield Fire Department said not everyone will fit in Springfield High School's main gym, so some people will be seated in the auxiliary gym. President Obama will likely stop in the auxiliary gym first and speak briefly to them before heading into the main gym for his speech.
10:18 a.m.: Springfield News-Sun reporter Mike Cooper said there are journalists from all over the world at the rally in Springfield, highlighting the importance of local votes for both candidates.
10:15 a.m.: The doors are open for visitors to the rally in Springfield. Obama will arrive this afternoon.
9:50 a.m.: Clark County residents are urged to avoid Home Road and North Limestone Street this morning. Traffic will likely be heavy between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m in those areas, said Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly.
9:30 a.m.: People are gathering to see President Barack Obama at Springfield High School. The event is scheduled to take place shortly before 1 p.m. No more tickets are available. Doors to the gymnasium are scheduled to open at 10:15 a.m.
Staff contributors: Mike Cooper, Mark Bruce, Barb Perenic, Bill Lackey, Jim Otte