Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan give only local interview to NewsChannel5

POWELL, Ohio - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan made themselves available to NewsChannel5 during their visit to Powell, Ohio on Saturday for what they called a “victory rally.”

The Republican duo covered a range of issues, including the hot topic of the past week, Congressman Todd Akin. Akin, when asked about whether his position on abortion extended to women who were raped, responded "If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”

NewsChannel5 reporter Michael Baldwin asked the former Massachusetts governor if he was elected president, would he welcome Akin to the White House and shake his hand?

"What he said was indefensible," Romney said. "I don't think there is any prospect of him becoming the next senator." Does that almost sound like an endorsement of Akin's Democratic opponent? Well, not exactly.

If elected, Romney may get to put two Supreme Court justices on the bench. Romney reiterated his firm position on abortion.

"I certainly hope down the road [the] Supreme Court takes an action to overturn Roe v. Wade," he said. "I don't think this is something that should be decided by the Supreme Court.”

Romney at one time was pro-choice but is now solidly pro-life.

The next statement Romney made may be a first. When asked if there was any policy that President Obama got right during his term, the former governor laid out a few.

"I think the decision to go after Osama bin Laden was correctly taken. I also respect the additional use of drones and going after some of the leaders of al-Qaeda," Romney said. "I also supported the surge in Afghanistan."

But you had to know it wouldn't last too long.

"I think when the military asked for 40,000 troops I would have been inclined to provide 40,000 troops," Romney said. “He [Obama] instead cut that to 30,000.”

Ryan's portion of the interview focused more on economic issues. The president often talks about Republican policies which only affect wealthy Americans. Congressman Ryan was asked how the Romney/Ryan tax cut plan helps everyone.

"Our job is to create jobs and we know the best way to do that is to let families and successful small businesses keep more of what they earn," Ryan said. "[It's important to] stop the games in Washington and stop the government from picking winners and losers in the tax code."