About 3,700 people filled the gymnasium  and an over flow area at Tri-C West to hear popular Democrat Bill Clinton and Bruce Springsteen stump for Mr. Obama. Clinton started with a ½ hour address in which he said Republican challenger Mitt Romney’s numbers for reducing the deficit and boosting the economy don’t add up. And he touted President Obama for looking forward to create new jobs.

“We have to create jobs that will be there later in the 21^st century. You don’t have to walk away from the old energy economy in Ohio. You don’t have to say you don’t care about coal miners to embrace the fact that Ohio now has more than 21,000 people working in a clean energy economy.  Obama embraces all of the above and put a lot money into clean coal technology.  But Romney would cut federal funding for alternative energy projects.”

Springsteen puts on a show

Gov. Romney endorses more domestic oil drilling and more natural gas extraction through fracking.   Bruce Springsteen then took the stage with guitar in hand, and listed his reasons President Obama should be reelected.

“I came here today because I’m thankful for universal health care, the lack of which was an embarrassment to our country.  I’m thankful for a regulated Wall St., I’m thankful G.M. is still making cars. What else would I write about, I’d have no job without that.”

Audience members thrilled to have two stars on one stage
Springsteen sang several songs, including this tribute to Woody Guthrie. Springsteen also sang his hits like “Thunder Road “ and  “The Promised Land.”  After the rally, decided Obama voter Lisa Metro of Lakewood said the event was something special.

“Very exciting, a great show, especially in an election year. I’ve seen Springsteen perform many times over the years, and the artists are the people who record the times in which we live.  He’s remarkable at that, and just his way of saying we have to care for the least among us, it’s not a new message, but it’s one that never gets old.”

After the Parma rally, Clinton when on to another campaign event near Steubenville in eastern Ohio.