Later, Obama tapes radio interviews, including a gig with Greg Kretschmar, host of the Morning Buzz, which airs on stations throughout New Hampshire. Along with colleagues Scott “Roadkill” McMullen, Andy Blacksmith and Kelly Brown, they ask Obama what he’s missed during his term as president. Being able to drive or just take a walk, the president says.

7:35 p.m.

Land O’Lakes, Fla.

Addressing 15,000 at a high school football field, Romney criticizes Obama for failing to get people back to work, pushing the new healthcare law and lodging petty attacks.

“Four years ago, then-candidate Barack Obama spoke about big things and now he’s reduced to talking about small things,” Romney says.

While Obama is always ready with a quip or two (“Elmo is making a run for the border and Oscar is hiding out in a trash can,” he said after Romney proposed cutting funding for public television), Romney’s speeches are serious. He prefers touching stories to humor.

He speaks about his sister’s commitment to caring for her son with Down syndrome and a Boy Scout troop that sent its flag into space only to see the Challenger space shuttle explode in front of the boys’ eyes. Remarkably, the flag was found intact.

“I touched it,” he said, “and it was as if electricity was running through my arm.”

Oct. 28

2 p.m. Celina, Ohio About 3,000 supporters cram into a high school arena and nearby stadium to hear the Republican ticket — Romney and Ryan — speak just a week before the presidential election. The crowd is enthusiastic — very enthusiastic — much like Obama’s audiences in recent weeks. But they look different. They’re noticeably whiter and older.

Obama continues to attract a much younger crowd that includes more African-Americans and Hispanics.