Romney Discusses "Day One" Agenda at Ohio Rally

AVON LAKE, Ohio -- Mitt Romney began his final messaging push Monday, describing to voters the "real change" he hopes to initiate on day one of his presidency in order to fix the weak U.S. economy.

Described as his "Day One, Job One" plan -- a theme often seen on the campaign trail -- the message centers on Romney's economic agenda in comparison to President Obama's and the assumption that his proposals will spur growth.

"We have a president today who has a different view about where America is," Romney said during a rally in Northeastern Ohio, a traditional Democratic stronghold. "His view is that we're on the right track, that there's no need for major change. My view is that this track is the wrong course for America, that this is a turning point for America."

Shying away from formal remarks, Romney's argument will be folded into speeches at campaign rallies in conjunction with advertising buys. The issues to be highlighted will include repealing the president's health care reform, reducing the deficit, balancing the budget, lessening regulatory burdens, promoting energy independence, and increasing trade, all messages the candidate has mention during his campaign.

Today's topic was taxes, where Romney promised to lighten the burden on corporations and small businesses by lowering the rates paid by each.

Noting that hiring has stalled and small business start-ups are at a 30-year low, the former Massachusetts governor promised to create a more favorable environment for growth than the current administration.

"If you want good jobs when you get out of school... you have to see entrepreneurs starting businesses and big companies growing," Romney said. "And what you've seen over the last several years is the opposite of that."

By dropping the top rates, Romney argued companies will save money and use those profits to hire more employees. If rates remain at current levels, he warned businesses would continue to go elsewhere.

"I'll make those proposals to our Congress on day one," Romney said. "We're going to get real change in place from day one."

But, for the short term, his message will likely be overshadowed by the impact of Hurricane Sandy, which is expected to blow ashore Monday night, causing billions of dollars worth of damage along the Atlantic coast. The massive storm will impact 50 million people and has already shut down major cities throughout the Northeast.

Romney cancelled events Monday evening and Tuesday out of respect for those in the storms path.