President Barack Obama spent his day in Elyria praising job training and Americans desire to seize opportunities at places like Lorain County Community College.

He spoke for about 20 minutes and was introduced by Bronson Harwood, one of the students he met with before his speech who lost his job is thriving at LCCC.

“The program here has given me a path to a new career,” Harwood said.

Obama said 90 percent of people who graduate from this program have a job in three months. He praised Americans’ resilience during the turmoil the economy had been facing.

“Americans don’t quit,” Obama said. “We do need to make sure everyone gets a fair shot in the job market. The ladders of opportunity need to be fair.”

Obama also acknowledged that he has a presidential race upcoming as he joked about receiving a football helmet at the Riddell plant the last time that he was in Elyria.

“I have a feeling I might need it between now and November,” he said.

The president then turned his focus to Republicans. He criticized them for doubling down on increasing the tax cuts for the wealthy. He said that Republicans want to spend $4.6 trillion on lower tax rates for individuals that make $250,000 or more. He said if these tax cuts are passed, financial aid could be cut by $1,000 per student and Medicare could turn into a voucher system.

“Folks like me don’t need tax cuts,” said Obama.

Obama stressed that his theory isn’t about a redistribution of wealth throughout the country. He wants everyone to have a fair shot. He then referenced the Senate’s strike down of the Buffet Rule proposal on Monday.

“Why would anybody want to cut this? This is just common sense,” he said. “This is not about taking from rich people to give to poor people.”

“We have two competing visions of future here. The choice couldn’t be clearer. I believe the free market is the greatest tool for prosperity,” Obama said.

Obama closed by saying that if Americans work hard, the entire region grows.

Republican candidate Mitt Romney is planning to be at a campaign event at the National Gypsum Company in Lorain Wednesday.

Contact Anthony White at [email protected].