Biden stumps at Wright State University

FAIRBORN, Ohio (WDTN) - Vice President Joe Biden spoke to a packed crowd in the Student Union Apollo Room at Wright State University Wednesday afternoon in the latest presidential campaign stop in the Miami Valley.

Taking the stage just after 1:00, Biden immediately addressed the overnight developments in Libya, where U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed in an uprising at the U.S. consulate. Expressing his sorrow and prayers for those killed and for their families Biden, promised a U.S. response.

"Let me be clear, we are resolved to bring to justice their killers," he said. "We never have been, and will not be run off. Period. That' not who we are."

From there he shifted into full campaign mode, saying it is the task of the president to "build nation here at home the world can look at and aspire to."

He hit on themes of jobs, taxes, health care and education. It was education though, that tripped-up the vice president, when twice he mentioned Wayne State instead of Wright State - until shouts from a friendly audience set him straight.

Not missing a beat from his misplaced location, Biden pivoted to America's workforce, calling one million new manufacturing jobs by 2016, and ending tax loopholes for sending jobs overseas, telling his audience "it matters were you create jobs, not just if a job is created." He reminded them of the existence of Ohio's 115,000 auto industry jobs that were saved by the bailout.

On health care, Biden vowed to protect Medicare is it is today, saying "we are for Medicare - we are against voucher care."

Wrapping up after about 20 minutes, Biden promised his supporters "we're not going back.  We're going forward."
 
For its part, Wright State is no stranger to presidential politics. In 2008, both Barack Obama and John McCain visited the school. McCain introduced Sarah Palin as his running mate during their stop at the WSU's Nutter Center.

"What it does is not only shine the light on higher education, but once more, it features Wright State University hosting one of our candidates," said George Heddleston, Vice President of Communications and Marketing at Wright State.

While Biden was speaking, the Republicans were preparing for Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan's Victory rally at the Clermont County Fairgrounds in Owensville. Doors will open at 4 p.m. for the event scheduled to start at 6:25.

This campaign season, President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney have logged more that three dozen visits to the Buckeye State, with more to come. Obama is scheduled to be back in Ohio Sept. 17 with stops in Columbus and Cincinnati.
 
The latest Quinnipiac University/New York Times Poll shows Obama leading Romney by six points in Ohio.

Katie Ussin will anchor team coverage of he vice president's visit on 2 NEWS beginning at 5:00 with updates on WDTN.com .