Obama and Romney in Ohio speech showdown

The Ohio showdown comes as Romney and the Republicans have intensified their criticism of the president.He has been lambasted by Republicans for saying "the private sector is doing fine" in a news conference last week. No Republican president has won without Ohio, which Obama won by 5 percent in 2008.

Obama and Romney will face each other in November's general election. Obama will speak at a community college near Cleveland at 1:45pm (5:45 GMT) before moving on to New York City, where he is scheduled to appear at a fundraising event alongside actress Sarah Jessica Parker and Vogue editor Anna Wintour.