President Obama's Full Interview with 13abc's Diane Larson - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

President Obama was back on the campaign trail Thursday.  He's in battleground state Florida, where a new poll shows him ahead of presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney.

When he was in Ohio Wednesday, he gave 13abc exclusive access. Diane Larson was the only
television reporter in Ohio to get a one-on-one interview with the President.

Fresh from his rousing speech before a crowd of about 2,000 people in Mansfield, Ohio, the made time to talk to 13abc's Diane Larson.

Diane Larson: "Ohio Governor John Kasich was in Toledo Monday talking to the Rotary Club.   He essentially took credit for unemployment in Ohio (down to 7.2%).   You think differently.   Who's right?"

President Obama:  "If you look at what's happened as we've been coming out of the worst recession since the great depression.   We had an auto industry on the verge of collapse.   One in eight jobs in Ohio is tied to the auto industry and because of our willingness to bring workers and management Together and our willingness to bet on the American industry, it has come roaring back. That obviously has strengthened what' s happening here in Ohio."

Diane Larson: Forbes just came out with a list that puts Toledo close to the bottom, actually second from the bottom in Ohio, in terms of a good place to do business or start one's career.   What can you, as President, do to help that aspect of Toledo's economy?"

President Obama:  "Well, first of all , I don't believe that at all.  I've been to Toledo and I've seen outstanding works and a great civic spirit and I think the key is to build on the strengths that exist not just in Toledo but all across the country. Manufacturing has always been a hub here of activity. So what we can do to advance manufacturing and do what we did for the auto industry is going to be important.  That means giving tax breaks to companies that are investing in Toledo instead of shipping jobs overseas."

  A new poll puts the president ahead of Mitt Romney in Ohio and the battleground states of Florida and Pennsylvania. He ranks high in likeability, but on the key question of who will be better for Ohioans the next four years financially,  it's a toss up.

Diane: "How do you convince undecided voters you are the man to lead us into a better economic future?"

President Obama: "It's understandable people are still frustrated with the economy.  We took such a hit.   We lost 800,000 jobs the month I was sworn in.   We were able to get the economy growing again and get positive job growth.  There are a lot of folks out of work. Homes are under value they paid. I think it's completely natural for folks to want to see more progress faster.  The question then is who's plan is most likely to get us there.   Mr. Romney's plan is basically cuts for wealthy folks and eliminating regulations on big banks and the health insurance industry.   My plan is a tax code that rewards investment here in America, retraining our workers, making sure our education system is best in America, putting people back to work, rebuilding our road and bridges, our infrastructure and investing in American energy.   I think when you present that choice, then the American people understand that approach that I'm proposing is more likely to get us to where we need to go."

Diane Larson: "What have these past four years revealed to you about your character that you didn't know about yourself four years ago?"

President Obama: "You know the interesting thing? What Michelle tells me is I haven't changed as much as she would have expected other than being a lot grayer than I was.  What inspires me and has kept me going and continues to mean so much to me and just getting a chance to meet the American people across the country. We are a people of great strength and great resilience.   So I draw from the people I meet in Toledo or Canton, anywhere in the country. I draw from them this sense that even when we hit tough times, we can always meet our challenges and I'm confident the next four years are going to be better than the past four."