Romney calls for moment of silence during Ohio talk

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney puts his hand on his heart during a moment of silence today for the embassy officials killed in Libya, as he campaigns in the rain at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio.

PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- In yet another visit to the battleground state of Ohio, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney spoke here to a crowd of more than 3,000 people about how he plans to improve the American economy.

While his address centered on economic issues, he also called for a moment of silence at the beginning of his appearance in honor of the four Americans who were killed in an embassy attack in Libya. Just minutes earlier, Mr. Romney said, the remains of the four Americans had been returned home to the U.S.

He was speaking at Lake Erie College, where many people had been standing outside in a steady rain for close to three hours waiting for the candidate's arrival.

Doris West, 77, who said she waited for about two hours in the rain, said she enjoyed Mr. Romney's remarks and intends to vote for him in November.

"We have to get rid of Obama," she said.

The Obama campaign said voters will have a clear choice in November, especially students like those at Lake Erie College.

"Under the Romney-Ryan budget, more than 356,000 Ohio students would see their Pell Grants cut by an average of $830. Where would all of these funds go that were meant for students? To pay for tax cuts to millionaires just like Mitt. So the question for Mitt Romney today is this: How can Ohio’s young people get the jobs of tomorrow, if Romney and Ryan won’t invest in education today?” Jessica Kershaw, press secretary for the Obama campaign in Ohio, said in a statement.