Romney to make Chillicothe stop Aug. 14
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is expected to make a campaign stop in Chillicothe on Tuesday, Aug. 14, the Chillicothe Gazette reports.
U.S. Senator and former southern Ohio congressman Rob Portman will join Romney, adding to speculation that an announcement on Romney's running mate could happen soon – perhaps in Ohio and in advance of the 2012 Republican National Convention, set for Aug. 27-30 in Tampa Bay, Fla.
Ohio's 18 electoral votes are crucial for Romney's chances to unseat President Obama on Nov. 6.
According to Ohio GOP Chairman Bob Bennett, Sen. Portman is worth three to five points in Ohio.
Romney is in the midst of a four-state campaign tour that also includes Virginia, North Carolina and Florida. The bus tour ends in Ohio, adding to speculation that a Romney-Portman ticket is not unlikely.
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In Virginia, Gov. Bob McDonnell, who also is mentioned as a potential VP, will join Romney. Yet another possible running mate in Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will campaign for Romney in Florida.
"The trip begins the weekend the Olympics end, and barely two weeks before GOP delegates gather in Tampa for their nominating convention," The Plain Dealer reported. "That has veepstake watchers speculating as to whether this will be a tour to announce a running mate – and whether Portman will be that running mate. The Romney campaign, however, is mum."
The campaign stop will be at the Ross County Courthouse at 6 p.m. Aug. 14. For free tickets, visit the the Highland County Republican headquarters at 200 West Main Street, Hillsboro on Friday, Aug. 10 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. or Saturday, Aug. 11 from 8:30 a.m.-noon.