Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney stopping in Chillicothe, Ohio for victory rally

CLEVELAND - Over the past 28 elections, only two presidents have won the White House without winning Ohio: Franklin Roosevelt in 1944 and John F. Kennedy in 1960.

It’s safe to say presidential candidates have no interests in playing those odds, which would explain why Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is making another trip through the Buckeye State.

Romney won’t be stopping in the Cleveland area Tuesday, but his bus tour will take him through Beallsville at the American Energy Corp., an ice cream shop in Zanesville. It will end with a victory rally in Chillicothe at 7 p.m. NewsChannel5 will be at the Ross County Courthouse Tuesday evening with live reports.

Some 8,000 people are expected to greet the former Massachusetts governor. It will be their first chance to say hello since Romney made his vice presidential pick, Rep. Paul Ryan on Saturday.

Chillicothe isn't just some stop on the map. It's become a place where presidential candidates had better show their face. It's become a predictor of where the state will throw its support for president, with the exception of the 2008 election. In recent elections, Bill Clinton, John Kerry, Sarah Palin and Barack Obama all made stops as candidates.

Chillicothe is the first and third capitol of Ohio and is located about 50 miles south of Columbus. Although President Barack Obama won’t be here, he did post a message for Ohioans on his Twitter page.

“5,330,000 middle-class families in Ohio could face a tax increase under Romney Plan.”

Moveon.org political action members are reportedly going to be in town to protest the victory rally. They'll try their best to argue to the thousands of supports that Mitt Romney’s tax plan will only help the rich and not the middle class. It's doubtful the expected 8,000 in attendance will listen.

Doors open at the Roth County Courthouse, located at 2 North Paint Street, at 5 p.m. Speaking of paint, it will be interesting to see what type of picture Romney will create. And eventually, what type of picture Obama will paint. In November, voters will decide which coat looks the best.

Ryan will be in Colorado before a fundraising event in Las Vegas. It's been rumored that he may make an appearance at his alma mater, Miami University of Ohio, on Wednesday. We'll keep you posted.