Crowds gather for Obama rally in Ohio

Associated Press

Updated: May 5, 2012 11:09 AM

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A large crowd has gathered at an Ohio university to see President Barack Obama kick off what he's calling the first campaign event in his re-election bid.

Hundreds of people began filing in Saturday at The Ohio State University in Columbus to see the president and first lady Michelle Obama speak.

Obama, who has focused his re-election campaign on the economy, is also expected to address issues important to the critical youth vote in the audience.

The rally will include appearances by several elected officials such as Sen. Sherrod Brown, astronaut and former Sen. John Glenn, and former Gov. Ted Strickland.

Obama is scheduled to travel later to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.

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