Pres. Obama rallies crowd of 9,500

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden rallied a crowd of nearly 10,000 at Dayton’s Triangle Park Tuesday, a day after the final presidential debate.

PHOTOS|  Audience gathers of Obama rally

Mr. Biden got crowd fired up before introducing the president using last night’s debate as a starting point to demonstrate Obama’s success.

“Whoa, was the contrast clear last night… it wasn’t even close... was it?” the vice president asked.

The president spoke, continuing where he left off in Monday night’s debate, pointing out the differences between his foreign policy and that of Republican opponent Mitt Romney.

“The greatest responsibility I have as president is to keep you, the American people safe.”

He then proceeded to recount the “symptoms of Romnesia,” or the issues Mr. Obama claims Mr. Romney has changed positions on during the course of the campaign.

“Four years ago, I promised to cut taxes for middle class families, and I kept that promise,” Mr. Obama told the crowd as he highlighted his economic accomplishments and outlined his plan for the next four years.

“Unlike Mitt Romney, I’m proud to talk about what’s in my plan,” Mr. Obama said holding up a booklet containing his plan. He then encouraged the crowd to visit his website and read his plan .

Presidential Visit

Air Force One touched down around 2:30 p.m. with President Obama on board. He descended the steps and met with a crowd of locals, including Montgomery County Commissioner Debbie Lieberman and recorder Willis Blackshear. 

The president stopped to speak to 4-year-old Maya of Beavercreek, Ohio. The president told Maya how much he liked her name and asked her how old she was.

Supporters began to file into the park just after Noon Tuesday, some of whom began lining up early in the morning. Shuttles were running to help move the crowd in and out of the park.

Dayton Fire Department officials estimated 9,500 people were on hand at the park.

Traffic delays likely

Drivers can expect delays on major routes between Dayton International Airport and Triangle Park while the president makes his way to the rally location. Local police, state troopers and the Secret Service are working to minimize those delays.

Preparing for the President

There was a lot happening last night, with crews busy setting up the stage and secret service agents worked with dozens of local law enforcement agencies to make sure the event is secure.

Todd Bagby, the Resident Agent in Charge of the Dayton Secret Service office, says they'll have boats in the nearby water, helicopters overhead, and some roads will be shut down.

Neighbors can't believe this is all happening right in their backyard.
 
"I just wanted to come out here and see for myself," said Herliner Dunson, who lives nearby. "I couldn't believe he would come to Triangle Park."

Biden was already in Ohio, having arrived Monday for stops in Canton and Lorain. Today he is scheduled to travel to Toledo before meeting Obama for the rally in Dayton.

Doors for that event will open at 12:30 p.m., but a ticket is required.

2 NEWS will stream the speech live on WDTN.com , with live team coverage anchored by Mark Allan.

Ohio is a key battleground state, with the latest Quinnipiac University poll for Ohio showing the president ahead of Romney 50 percent to 45.