Romney hits Obama on jobs, weighs Gulf Coast trip - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is telling veterans that he will make jobs a top priority.

In front of 10,000-plus veterans, Romney pleaded his case to the American Legion National Convention, and to the more than 25 million American veterans.

"I consider any time to address our nation's veterans a privilege not to be missed," he said.

Romney zeroed in on veteran health care, national defense, military budgets, and jobs, wasting no time to go on the attack.

"Overwhelmingly the number one concern I hear from young veterans can be summed up in one word. Jobs. They have served their country. They want to get back to work. They need and deserve good jobs. The president's greatest failure is, he has not delivered those jobs," said Romney.

It's not clear if Romney will join Paul Ryan on stage after his running mate delivers his speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa. Ryan is the main draw at the convention tonight.

On Tuesday, President Obama addressed the veterans via video focusing on what his administration has already done to better the lives of veterans .

Many of the veterans we spoke with say they will pay close attention to what both candidates have to say, but many are upset the president didn't make a personal appearance.

"I was disappointed, very disappointed," said Mark Weinmann.

"I don't take it personally. He had his own schedule. Of course, he was out campaigning. Some of us thought he could at least detour through Indianapolis in the process," said Jim Whitfield.

Navy and Missouri National Guard Veteran Ben Goodin is a staunch Democrat, but says he believes the country is going in the wrong direction.

"I'm undecided but I am leaning towards Mitt Romney. I really am," Goodin said.

What is said here matters very little to some of these men and women. Navy Veteran Joyce Babcock says she made up her mind three years ago.

"Yesterday I read a book during the speech and today I listened, as a courtesy of listening," she said.

But for so many other vets, decisions have not been made and what happens not only today, but in the next few months, could make the difference of staying the course or choosing a new future for the country.

Meantime, union protesters in Indiana are opposing cuts Romney would make to government aid.

Roughly two dozen protesters gathered outside the Indiana Convention Center Wednesday while Romney spoke to veterans inside.

A pair of protesters picked up foam swords and slashed benefits like Medicaid and Social Security written on paper signs held by other protesters.

John Lacey of Workers United in Indianapolis played Romney in the skit. He said Romney's election would benefit only the richest 1 percent.

Some cars honked in support of the protesters as they drove by. But not everyone on the street in downtown Indianapolis was on board with the protesters. A pickup truck bearing large Romney campaign signs drove past the crowd a handful of times.

WTHR political reporter Kevin Rader is in Tampa for the Republican National Convention, and he'll also be covering the Democratic National Convention next week. Follow him here.

Sen. John McCain - nominated four years ago only to lose to Democrat Barack Obama - will address delegates this evening, as will former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The convention focus will be on foreign affairs before tonight's speech by Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan, Romney's running mate.

Romney, officially nominated Tuesday, is looking to burnish his credentials as a plausible commander in chief.

Plans initially called for Romney to address the convention this evening from Indianapolis by video hook-up in conjunction with McCain. But campaign officials now say that idea has been scrapped, and that Romney will return to Tampa instead of spending the night in Indiana.