Meat Loaf endorses Romney in Defiance

DEFIANCE, Ohio (WANE) - Mitt Romney, the Republican candidate for President, made a campaign stop in Defiance Thursday evening.

Photo Gallery: Romney Rally in Defiance

The rally and concert event was held at the football field at Defiance High School and featured Romney along with several musical acts, including Meat Loaf who at one point sang "God Bless America".

Click the video tab above to watch reports from NewsChannel 15's Mark Mellinger and Randy Spieth.

Organizers said about 12,000 people attended as Romney's campaign made the stop, one of three in the swing state Thursday.

Experts believe Ohio is ground zero for the 2012 election for either Romney or President Obama to be victorious Nov. 6. At this point, the race for the White House is a virtual dead heat in Ohio.

Romney tried to use Obama's campaign themes of "change" in 2008 and "forward" in 2012 against the president. Romney said he is the one best qualified to bring change and move the country forward, pledging to reduce the federal budget deficit, promote school choice, and replace the president's health care reform law. He also briefly outlined his five-point economic plan aimed at creating millions of new jobs.

Before Romney spoke, country music singers John Rich and Randy Owen held a concert in support of him. There was also a surprise guest at the concert: rock singer Meat Loaf, who is endorsing Romney and said it is the first time he's ever publicly endorsed a candidate for office.

A Romney spokesman said it is possible the campaign will hold another event in northwest Ohio before the election.

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