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Updated 11:27 a.m. - President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney returned Monday evening to the states that launched their respective bids for the presidency, wrapping their campaigning ahead of Election Day.
Joined by their spouses, Obama returned to Iowa -- where he won the 2008 caucuses -- and Romney stopped in New Hampshire -- where he won the primary at the beginning of this year -- to bring to an end their long, hard battle over whom Americans would select as their president for the next four years.
"I've come back to Iowa one more time to ask for your vote," a visibly emotional Obama told a crowd near his first campaign office in Des Moines. "Because this is where our movement for change began. Right here."
"It's out of my hands now," he said. "It's up to you."
Emmanuel Dunand / AFP - Getty Images
Mitt Romney holds a rally at Orlando Sanford international airport in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 5, 2012.
Both Obama and Romney seemed to drink in the adulation of their supporters in the closing hours of the campaign, before voters would take to the polls in fewer than 12 hours to render their verdict on the election.
"This is a special moment for Ann and for me, because this is where our campaign began," Romney said to a crowd in New Hampshire. "Your primary vote put me on the path to win the Republican nomination, and tomorrow your votes and your work here in New Hampshire will help me become the next president of the United States."
The stops mostly concluded the campaigning of the 2012 election. Romney was set to make stops Tuesday in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and Republican vice presidential nominee would also stop in Cleveland and Richmond. Those stops, though, were billed as less formal than the giant, raucous rallies that have dominated the candidates' schedules in the closing days of the campaign.
Obama and Romney capped what was a "barnburner" final day of campaigning, as he and Romney hop-scotched across the country to make stops in the states on which they're relying tomorrow.
Ryan launches campaign 'barnburner' in Obama-leaning Nevada
So far, more than 4.5 million Floridians have already voted, sometimes after waiting in hours-long lines. NBC's Mark Potter reports.
Romney made a four-state tour through Florida, Virginia and Ohio – states that are critical to his hopes of becoming president – before concluding in New Hampshire, the cornerstone of Romney’s victory in the GOP presidential primary earlier this year, and the state neighboring Massachusetts, where Romney served as governor and his campaign is now headquartered.
Both sides agree, winning Colorado could be key. A recent NBC/WSJ/Marist poll had the race tied at 48 percent each. NBC's Mike Taibbi reports.
The president spent the day visiting Wisconsin, Iowa and Ohio -- the states composing his Midwestern "firewall," where he's sought to build an advantage over Romney.
Their schedules, coming on the heels of a jam-packed weekend of campaigning across the country by both the candidates and their surrogates, was nothing short of a “barnburner,” as Ryan put it at first rally of the day, in Nevada.
“We're doing a barnburner today,” Ryan said in the state, which is seen as leaning toward Obama in NBC News’ battleground map. “We are crisscrossing the country – Mitt and I are because we are asking you to work with us, to stand with us to get our country back on the right track.”
Both Obama and Romney stuck to well-worn scripts that they had used throughout the frenetic final days of the campaign. The candidates at times seemed to acknowledge that much of the campaign’s outcome might be out of their hands, pleading with supporters to sway a winnowing number of swing voters over to their cause.
How will the Hispanic vote and the white vote impact the presidential election? What about older voters and younger voters? How much of an impact will Hurricane Sandy have on voting? NBC News' Chuck Todd and Time's Mike Murphy join a conversation on the issue.
“Your voices are being heard all over the nation loud and clear, thank you,” Romney said in Virginia. “I also want to thank many of you in this crowd that have been out there working on the campaign – making calls from the victory centers, and by putting up a yard sign, in your neighbor’s yard and maybe convincing a coworker to vote for Paul Ryan and me.”
Obama kicked off his first rally of the day with rocker Bruce Springsteen, who would hitch a ride with the president to Columbus for an afternoon rally, which was also to feature rapper Jay-Z.
"I get to fly around with him on the last day I'll ever campaign, so that's not a bad way to end things," he said of Springsteen, who will accompany Obama to Columbus, Ohio, on Air Force One.
The state with 13 electoral votes could go either way in this election, and may play a critical role in determining not only the next president, but also which party will control the U.S. Senate. NBC's Tom Costello reports.
Both Obama and Romney’s schedules, though, sent a powerful signal about their fundamental strategy for Election Day.
The states Romney is visiting, for instance, are virtually essential for his hopes come Tuesday. Failing to win Florida, for instance, would force Romney to have to win every single other remaining battleground state.
Obama’s stops, meanwhile, suggested attentiveness to his so-called “firewall,” which Republicans have argued is cracking amid surging Republican enthusiasm in battleground states.
Reuters, Getty Images
Campaigning with Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, voting and election results.
Vice President Joe Biden, during a stop at a cafe in Sterling, Va., predicted the bloc would hold.
“I think we’ll win Ohio, I think we’ll win Wisconsin, I think we’ll win Iowa. I think we’ll win Nevada, I think we’ll win new Hampshire,” he told reporters. He added that Florida would be “close,” but said he thought “have a real shot of winning” the Sunshine State.
As they made their final arguments to sprawling crowds throughout the day, both Romney and Obama got an assist from additional superstars who entertained audiences before rallies had begun.
Larry Downing / Reuters
Supporters hold a sign as President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign event at Fifth Third Arena at the University of Cincinnati, Nov. 4, 2012.
Obama was traveling with Springsteen and Jay-Z on Monday, but Katy Perry and John Mellencamp had played before other Obama audiences over the weekend. Romney’s rally on Monday in Ohio was also slated to feature the Marshall Tucker Band.
Both Springsteen and Jay Z each did special songs for the Obama campaign, in Jay Z's case, changing an epithet in one of his songs to reference Romney instead.
"If you're having world problems, I feel bad for you son," he said, "I got 99 problems, but Mitt ain't one."
In the past six presidential elections, Wisconsin has been reliably blue – but this year, thanks to Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, the race is much tighter. NBC's Ron Mott reports.
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Remember, the next President could be picking Supreme court justices!
The Conservatives gave us George Bush in 2000, a total disaster.
Then "Citizen's United" polluting the political process with big money donors that remain anonymous!
Every extremist starts out as a conservative...
Obama/Biden tomorrow!!!
America's Leader and Our Future:
Romney - Business man
Romney - Business Leader
Romney - Business Smart
Romney - Good Family man
Romney - Knows how to create Jobs
Romney - Will put people back to work.
Romney - Will repeal Obama care
Romney Plan - Will get America back in the right direction, by cutting taxes,
creating jobs and cleaning out the lying fraud in the WH.
Romney – someone America can trust.
theres my stupid two cents Mitt wins OH, NH, FL & VA. that puts him at 270. That could happen by 10:45 PM. Then we all go to bed early.
Mitty Pity Party in 22 hours! Jimmy, you're invited! BYOB! See you here!
DREAMING isn't real!
OBAMA 2012 is real!
You got the "stupid" part right.
Obama will take Ohio, NH, Iowa, and Wisconsin. That means, Obama wins, and RobMe and Reject... well.. Unemployment has done well for Romney
This from a genius who looks forward to riots.
Liberal...Liar...Coward...Corrupt...No Character?
Shortly after Bill Clinton was re-elected in 1996, the news broke of his sexual encounters in the White House with Monica Lewinsky, and much of the next couple years were tied up in his lies, cover-ups and eventual confession of lying to America about his Oval office experiences with her.
The cover-up, corruption and impeachment were a black eye to our country.
It now appears with another pending election, the current President, Barack Obama, is sitting on yet another corrupt administration and cover-up.
We don't want to spend the next two years in a very bad O-conomy with our president trying to explain misleading Americans and the continued corruption that's been coming out.
He did not respond to our Ambassador and citizens being attacked and murdered. The President stood by and did nothing.
Barack, perhaps Hillary and Paneta will likely face trials for turning their backs on our own.
(D) Doubt, Debt, Decline, Deception, Dishonest
Winner - Obama! deal with it.
If Obama loses will we see riots?
I think we may have quite a few Obamabots jumping off bridges and buildings come Wednesday when the Obama's get their eviction notice. All you Conservatives who happen to know an Obamabot need to be alert and sympathetic toward these folks who are wearing Obama colored glasses. The country is going to do the right thing and make Mitt Romney the president. Tell them it is okay to work and make a living and support their families.
riots would be kinda of cool as long as they don't hit the suburbs.
One way to create employment by having to rebuild the inner cities.
Romney/Ryan are so stupid their bosses have told them they are not allowed to answer any questions from reporters. Pathetic. Not intelligent enough to handle reporters and they want these 2 clowns to run this great country.Laughable and pathetic.
Just saw 4 Mittens/Liar smear ads in a row while watching Wheel-of-Fortune in Pittsburgh. Serious desperation!
They even brought Pat Boone out of his coffin for a spot..... Very pathetic.
Pittsburgh is Romney Country!
dude that's nothing. my cable box went down for 2 days. could only get local channels. I watched at least 200 stupid obama and romney commercials. my dvr has been getting a work out.
It not anything Romney and it's not country!
Rock the vote bitches!
I was there on Friday....and who you kidding?
Obama/Casey not looking good in Steel Town
Andy, the Steeler Nation doesn't allow spineless deadbeats like you - grow up, get a job, and move out of your mom's house. Even the Hill District is voting for Romney this time!
Seriously....what has Barack been doing for our people....
Winning this election.
Embassies in flames, Americans killed in terrorist attack
and Obama goes to Vegas?
America knows when it stands on Nov. 6, 2012.
Romney/Ryan
who else would like to see some riots tuesday night?
Pass the popcorn buddy!
There won't be any riots... that's what the GOP would like to see happen, but it won't
Count me in. I'm sick of this Democon propagenda. Time to see who can fight.
jerry popcorn with lot's of butter. no better snack to watch a riot.
urban i'm a 52 year old slightly overweight white guy. but i'll be rooting for you partner. now get out these and punch someone in the face.
If Romney wins there will be riots....
Chris Matthews said he has that tingle moving up hisgaybladecock. That means Obama loses.
For two men (Robme and Reject) who claim to be so against homosexuals they sure are hateful towards women's vaginas :)
Come on its about time there is no bad vagina and every real man knows that.
Republicans like womens vaginas...dems don't...they are always wanting to stick knives and shop vac hoses up womens vaginas to suck out babies.
And Obama is out campaining with a guy that calls women Hoes...Jay zee
EMPTY CHAIR IS DESPERADO!.... WHY? He has to get JZ, Bruce Springtine and Clinton to help???? One more point, see for yourself America.. Sandy is Obama Katrina = UNDER PREPARED = sad to see so many are suffering. EMPTY CHAIR, EMPTY PROMISES, EMPTY PERFORMANCES and EMPTY TRANSPARENCY = last day for him.
Whatever country controls energy (namely oil) has the world reserve currency. That's the one and only reason that Romney is better than Obama. Romney will push for massive petroleum development and Obama, being a total socialist and having an ardent desire to bring the US down to the level of the third world, will insure that doesn't happen.
A vote for Romney is different from a vote for Obama in one and only one way. Romney will be able to create another boom for the USA, because we'll get cheap energy, again. A vote for Obama will insure the USA crashes and burns... maybe literally.
Millions of jobs across the country will be lost or saved by the vote and outcome of this election....
Companies have plans for either direction and an Obama re-election means significant employee reductions...and reductions in employee hours to part time status....it becomes your responsibility to pay or pay the fine...
Not fear, not speculation...just the truth folks
A Romney win sends the Dow and the economy forward in a very positive manner
Obamacare, modeled after Romneycare, is a Republican idea, hatched from within a conservative think tank.
It isn't going anywhere, but rather, is the law of the land. And we have Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, and Republicans to thank.
You right wingers never cease to amaze the rest of us with your profound ignorance. Why are you so hell bent against something your own party conceived?
Obama/Biden 2012
Rachel Maddow....? Seriously?
The best campaign video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gsa4uLmTw0M
If Redskins lose the week of election, the incumbent party loses (since 1940!).
RGIII. Was not a fan, but now I am. Really smart QB.
To the freedom-loving Americans in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa, Colorado, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, Nevada, and Florida: Please do not let the liberals in New York, New England, and California force all of us to endure another four years of Obama's failed policies. We have the opportunity to elect a truly qualified, competent, and hard-working president in Mitt Romney. Please vote for Mitt Romney on Tuesday. Help us make history. Please help us start America back on the path to prosperity. Your future and your children's future will be brighter.
Well said...
No.
Stay the course. Your man is a whackO in magic underwear and secret decoding glasses.
But, but Skipper....there's a storm heading our way!!!
(D) Debt, Doubt and Decline.....Suck....just sayin'
Well Sarah, apparently those liberals of New England voted for a governor named Mitt Romney who got passed a health care insurance mandate that he considered to be his biggest accomplishment. Health insurance costs in Massachusetts have gone down as a result of it. I'm sorry that you would prefer allowing freeloading in our health insurance market, putting the burden on hardworking people who pay health insurance premiums to support the care of those who don't want to pay. I'm sorry you don't like Barack Obama's policies of treating the health insurance industry as the oligopoly it is, rather than a free market, which it isn't, passing financial regulatory reforms to avoid bank bailouts in the future and help foster a free market by giving consumers a chance to accurately decide on which mortgage or loan to take. I'm sorry that you don't like that General Motors is on it's feet. I'm sorry that you don't like that Obama got us out of Iraq and focused on our Muslim extremist enemies and killed Osama Bin Laden. I'm sorry you want to put this country more into debt by agreeing with Romney's tax plans that he can't say how it wouldn't raise our debt. He can't name one specific way of paying for it. I'm sorry you want to vote for a man whose father ran for US president even though he was from another country. I'm sorry that you believe that drilling for oil despite increasing world demand and ever soaring prices is the way to solve our energy problems. I'm sorry you think that a GOP Congress that obstructed in every direction despite the country needing leadership
To the freedom loving Americans around this country. Do not let the GOP conservative righties led by the Christian Taliban take us back 100 years. We understand that righties feel they have the need and ability to dicate who we can marry, what our religion should be, what women can and cannot do with their bodies (legitimate rape is un-acceptable), and what our family relationships should be.
Stand and recognize that the GOP Socialist Agenda of redistribution of wealth from the lower/middle class to the rich and corporations is what got us in this mess in the first place.
We know you have been entertained by the major flip flopper and draft dodger, but tomorrow, you can erase that chance. OBL is dead, the biggest threat to america is gone. Vote for Obama/Biden and save us from our next big threat. Robme and Ryan.
Obama/Biden 2012.
Sorry Sarah, but Mitt Romney is a serial liar who has flip-flopped on every issue imaginable, most recently when he reversed on his opinion on whether FEMA is a federal disaster relief agency worthy of preservation.
I cannot fathom how even conservatives can stomach this weasel considering his history of waffling. Does this man ever stand for anything???"
America is NOT going back to the party that got us in this awful mess, but Obama has done an admirable job under trying circumstances trying to fix it all. He has earned a second term and this northeast liberal is too happy to help make it happen.
God bless this great nation and our fine president.
Four more years!
Obama got Bin Laden....bwahahahahahahahaha
And Ronald freakin McDonald made my hamburger.
rosieodonnellsmoustache
Article 1 - Who is Commander and Chief of the United States Armed Forces: President Obama.
Article 1 - Who gave the order for our navy seals to get OBL: President Obama.
Does the United States Constitution mean anything to you? Or are you to busy eating your Romney McHappy meal:
I ordered this, no I really wanted to order this, I think I will order that, 1 week later, I didn't order that.
P.S. OBL personally called BUSH from the situation room to thank his entire administration for take OBL out. I would say, this is an AMERICAN VICTORY, but it was done during President Obama's Administration, and its purely LEGAL and FACTUAL.
And who left 4 American's to die in Libya terrorist attack and then lies to America & The World.. Still lying..
OBAMA, Obama,
OBAMA, Obama
OBAMA, Obama
OBAMA, Obama
That's why America will vote Romney/Ryan on Nov. 6, 2012.
America can't trust Obama the liar in the WH.
New York Guy
your confussed. Obama is one of the Muslim extremist that America will get rid of on Nov. 6, 2012.
Sarah-3152994
Right on.. America take another 4 years of Socialism..
And you're going to vote for a guy who has failed his term, and not lived up to HIS promises.
Great logic there...
Is that why the GOP wouldn't give the nomination for RobMe on a second term in Mass? :) Thanks for pointing that out.
I agree, President Obama did not fulfill all of his campaign promises. However, he filled enough of them and deserves 4 more years to fix the mess that BUSH got us into.
UNTIL CONGRESS does their job, we are all going to suffer much longer than we should have too. THEY are the ones who control the real fate of this nation.
Never mentioned Mitt. I'm talking about our POTUS who has failed, but yet everyone is avoiding that and tearing the right.
Although I do like your touché!
The right wing nut jobs should start rehearsing their excuses for an Obama victory. Like Acorn vote fraud. Of course, Acorn no longer exists, but they'll blame it anyway.
Of course Acorn does not exist...another one of Obama's failed community organization projects.
Roadkill
GOP History: The Great Bush created the world in Jan. 2009. The great Muslim Kenyan reigned from then until 2016. Thereafter, the money flowed and people were happy. Truly a sad time.
dr821
Yea, so the money flowed to our creditors because the Muslim Kenyan "antichrist" had no clue on how to protect a western civilizations assets. He only new of revenge! And the people were happy until the money ran out! End of story
Was the Great Bush the oil war guy? Or the 9-11 watchdog?
Knock off the Trump Kenyan crap,Birther ...
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It's almost over Joe....the nightmare ends...