Thousands hear Obama speak in Columbus

COLUMBUS (AP) — Thousands of people in central Ohio have turned out to see President Barack Obama discuss college education at a private four-year university.

Authorities estimate that about 3,300 people watched Obama speak today at Capital University here. He is scheduled to campaign later at a community college in Reno, Nev.

Obama’s speech included criticism of Republican Mitt Romney for his comment that the best option for students trying to find an affordable education is to “shop around.”

Some attendees identified themselves as students and expressed support for Obama’s position on higher education, though they also talked about their concerns on how to pay for school.

One Romney supporter said he wanted Obama to talk about job creation and how it connects to recent college grads struggling to find work.