Obama makes closing argument to voters in new ad

[October 23, 2012]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is making his closing argument to voters, arguing the country has made progress under his watch and can't turn back now.

Obama makes the pitch in a new 60-second television advertisement released the morning after the final presidential debate.

In the spot, Obama speaks directly to the camera about his plans for a second term, including boosting manufacturing and spending on education. He also touts first-term accomplishments, including the bailout of the auto industry and the end of the Iraq war.

The ad's softer tone is a departure from the sharply critical spots the campaign has run in recent weeks as it seeks to stall Republican Mitt Romney's momentum.

The ad is running in seven battleground states: New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin and Colorado.

[Associated Press]

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