President Barack Obama leaves footprint in Toledo, winning over Chrysler employee

TOLEDO - On one of his last stops before hitting North Carolina for the Democratic National Convention, President Obama visited Toledo Monday and spoke to several hundred union and blue-collar workers. 

The president's speech of homegrown energy sources creating new jobs filled Scott High School's auditorium with cheers and applaud but outside a different conversation was buzzing -- the auto bailout.  

It's what brought hundreds of UAW members to the school, including an interesting member in the crowd, 46-year-old Scott De Selms, who, while waiting in line said, "I have never voted before."

The unexpected and honest answer was enough to catch a few off-guard. De Selms, who is a second-generation Chrysler employee said, "I've just never been a political person.  I just support whoever's in office … I've just never been one to choose one side or the other."

What brought De Selms here, he said, was the auto bailout that allowed him to keep his job after his wife became unemployed.  Monday was his first time even attending a political event, yet alone seeing the President of the United States.

As excited as De Selms was, "Fire Obama" shouts still came from a small group of Pro-Romney supporters.  One of them, John Marshal, told NewsChannel5 his concerns are over the economy and jobs.

"I have a daughter that's going to school that will not come back to Toledo," said Marshal. "My oldest lives in the state of Oregon mainly because there are no jobs here so my family is gone because of all these jobs."  Marshal and Pro-Romney protesters said they are not happy with Obama's politics overseas and feel it's affecting the quality of life here in Ohio. 

The war in Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay and other issues were also debated amongst both anti and pro-Obama supporters at the high school.

But one thing still sticks out for De Selms, who after nearly 30 years of never voting said, "President Obama is going to get my vote.  We've done all the registration standing here in line.  It's come down to that …  He's kept me working, kept food on the table for my family so I mean, you couldn't ask for anything more."

A new Reuters-Ipsos poll shows both President Obama and Mitt Romney with a 45% rating when just about a week ago, pollsters said the same poll had the president leading Romney 46 - 42%. 

The reason for the jump in Romney's rating is said to be because of the Republican Convention that took place in Tampa last week.  Pollsters say the president's numbers are expected to go up during the Democratic Convention, which begins this week in Charlotte.