Romney surrogates blast Obama at local stops

POLAND

The day before Barack Obama’s visit today to the Mahoning Valley, two of Mitt Romney’s top surrogates criticized the Democratic president’s economic policies.

During a Thursday stop in the parking lot of Eastwood Field in Niles, Louisiana Gov. Bobby

Jindal and ex-Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, both considered potential vice-presidential running mates for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, told The Vindicator that Obama needs to be held accountable for the decisions he’s made during his time as president.

“His time in office has been a failure,” Pawlenty said during an interview on Romney’s campaign bus. “Forty consecutive months of above-8-percent unemployment, lowest business formation rate in 30 years — he’s broken his promises to the country.”

The president will tour Summer Garden Food Manufacturing in Boardman at 9:40 a.m., according to his campaign. The event at the food manufacturing facility is closed to the public and journalists, except for pool press members.

Obama then goes to Dobbins Elementary School in Poland. He will give a speech to an invitation-only crowd of about 200 to 250 supporters at 10:45 a.m.

The president’s visit to the Valley, as part of his two-day “Betting on America” bus tour, is the only stop on the five-city trip that is closed to the general public.

For the complete story, read Friday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.